Key West Mooring Field Review Myth Busting and Myth Confirming

In depth review of the mooring field at Key West Garrison Bight. Includes arrival instructions, facility reviews, and video of many different wind and sea conditions up to 35 plus knots and comfort level assessment.

[@MarkandMel]

Very helpful to know what to prepare for in the way of winds and waves and how you did. Thanks for sharing! We're headed to the Keys now but we also have a boat that is taller and may end up rocking a bit more than yours. Thanks again!!👍🛥

[@Funonholiday]

Glad you found it helpful. Enjoy Key West! We're down in Grenada now but always look forward to getting back to the Keys one day.

[@andyman3309]

Dude is always smiling. I love it.

[@Funonholiday]

Thanks!

[@igotatan1]

You would too, when your in Key West!

[@michaelw3809]

Last winter 2018 2019. We've had multiple days where the wind was in the 40s. One weekend we had winds exceeding 50mph. Actually 55mph. It was a tough slough into the dingy dock and you were getting wet. Waves were 4 to 5ft

[@Funonholiday]

That would definitely be tough. We didn't leave the boat and make the trek to the dinghy dock in high winds. Luckily there were only a few days during our stay.

[@SailingPauHana]

Loved the video; this is the kind of channel needed for sailors. 👍👍

[@Funonholiday]

Thanks!

[@svoceanghost7734]

Good job guys. We left there 3 weeks ago..I would concur with your assesment..

[@pateallan7764]

Good info guys. You have a nice dinghy with a pretty good sized motor. If I were in our 8 ft. with 4 hp OB it would be a very, very long ride to shore. I would stay there in a pinch, but no way a whole month. We stayed in Boot key a month and took the bus to KW. That NE wind 3 yrs ago stayed up 24/7 in Jan it seemed like to us. Thats why there is a long waiting list at Boot Key. Slips at KW are $2.50-$5.00/ night depending on if its a event weekend. I wouldnt want to anchor in 30-40 mph winds. Mooring ball was is a good idea. Gotta take the good with the bad.

[@Funonholiday]

Boot Key is definitely a surperior mooring field. We stayed there twice this winter for a total of about 2.5 months. Loved it.

[@longbeach.bradlydalmatian6130]

Where is the area when I say living off the hook I thought it was a area more offshore where it was free to anchor I was curious on the dinghy ride from that point or if they still let people anchor I lived on a sailboat docked thanks for the video you guys are living it up beautiful thing beautifully done

[@Funonholiday]

That is Wisteria or "Christmas Tree" Island. It's actually in the first part of the video before we get to the mooring field. The dinghy ride from there to the dinghy dock (which you have to pay for) is a little closer (to the anchorage) than the one in the mooring field and also right where all the bars and restaurants are in Key West (less walk to do stuff). It is really crowded though. All in, it is cheaper than renting a mooring ball for sure.

[@bobleclair5665]

You can dingy in to Home Depot,dollar store,Publix’s,,tie up in back of Denny’s,, that’s towards the east of the mooring field

[@billturner2360]

Hello... loved your honesty about the mooring field ! Can you tell me how much a mooring ball is there ?

[@billturner2360]

I'm sorry.... if I would have read some comments below.... I would have answered my own question.... thanks :)

[@bobleclair5665]

$350 a month,that includes shower and parking spot,,light chop during easterlies,,I prefer the west side of Fleming on the hook,,closer to old town,,but you have 3to 4 knot currents,,the rollers come in on the north and northwesters,,anchor well

[@reticenti6365]

Last year my baba 30 was rocking like crazy! That was the worst mooring field experience I have ever had.

[@Funonholiday]

We had wind and waves both from the nose the whole time we were there. Definitely hate it when we turn sideways to the waves and rock too.

[@Darkwell0071]

If the wind is going to be 30 knots out of the north then get in tight to shore on the north shore to minimize that wind. I am good to 20 but 30knots is just trying the gear all night. I don’t sleep well.

[@Funonholiday]

You are correct. Good north shore anchorages in the Keys are few and far between.

[@sailpony]

There is no North shore

[@timflynn2136]

Thanks for info. You have a good knowledgeable way of presenting your experience. Best Honest video of Key West mooring field.

[@Funonholiday]

Thanks for watching!

[@txflyguy40]

Looks like way to much trouble. I will seek much easier ways to get accommodated. thank you for the heads up.

[@michaeldenicola6725]

Great video a lot of really good information, thank you for sharing

[@Funonholiday]

Thanks for watching!

[@Darkwell0071]

Would like a little more then the end maybe 5-7 just for a cool breeze snd to cover my guitar playing

[@ralphholiman7401]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@hollyhholly]

Good stuff, nice video. I assume dinghy registration is required only for Florida registered yachts? Not for out of state or foreign flag?

[@Funonholiday]

Not sure of the exact laws on registration

[@michaelw3809]

any boat is welcome

[@johnengland8619]

Thanks for sharing

[@Funonholiday]

You are welcome!

[@scottstevens5628]

Can't you anchor behind Christmas? I have even seen people anchor between sunset and Christmas.

[@Funonholiday]

For sure. There are plenty of places to anchor over there and by Fleming. Protection from the weather is an issue over there too as well as the currents, and it can get really crowded. I'm planning to try out the anchorages over there this season at some point. For cold front protection in an anchorage in that area, you can also go around by Stock Island, but then you are way away from everything in Key West.

[@igotatan1]

This might be a silly question, but do you get phone service at any mooring locations in the Keys? I am seriously considering living off shore, and been researching for several months now. It seems like the life for me.

[@Funonholiday]

Definitely phone service in the mooring fields in the Keys (Marathon and Key West). They are right there next to town.

[@capnbilll2913]

The cell phone can reach up to 30 miles over water.

[@hanssolo4ever]

Good job on the video.

[@dreamingofbeingfree1217]

Any free parking by Tampa Florida? For a sail boat live abroad

[@Funonholiday]

We've never really been up in Tampa Bay and looked for places to stay a while. Maybe somewhere to anchor and park a car in Gulfport?

[@liasxtube]

Well done; thanks.

[@willyum1208]

Why did you not stay at boot key for the whole 6 weeks, too long a wait?

[@Funonholiday]

Just wanted to sail to Key West for the fun of it. We try to go all the places! :)

[@JoeHasGotToGo]

No wifi but signal?

[@Funonholiday]

Correct, we had cell service, but there wasn't wifi.

[@rubennavegante3491]

Thanks nice video

[@Funonholiday]

You're very welcome

[@rockinrockiesfarm]

Awesome Info loved it

[@Funonholiday]

Great! Thanks for watching!

[@rockinrockiesfarm]

Taking my first trip to the keys by boat much needed info

[@Funonholiday]

We loved it there and can't wait to return one day. Enjoy!