I had the pleasure of taking two couples for a charter on Sailfish the first week of March from Stuart Florida to Key Biscayne and back up to West Palm Beach. The weather was ideal although the first day from Stuart to West Palm the wind was on the nose. We spent about 6 hours motor sailing 40 nm down the coast from Stuart to West Palm Beach in lovely blue water off the coast to West Palm Beach.
We sailed in the wide deep Lake Worth inlet and down the ICW through the Flagler Memorial Bridge.
We docked at the West Palm Beach city dock, walked around Clematis, and then had a scrumptious dinner at ER Bradley’s just across Flagler Ave from the dock. The Whole Snapper with rice and beans was a popular item.
The next day we had just enough wind from the right direction that we were able to sail almost all the way 35 miles offshore to Hillsboro Inlet just north of Ft. Lauderdale. We anchored behind the lighthouse just before dark and dinghied up the ICW to the Nauti Dawg restaurant where we had a delightful dinner outside by the water.
We got up at dawn and sailed outside down the coast to Miami. Sailfish’s mast is too tall to take the ICW between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. The wind was favorable and the seas quite calm; we were able to sail most of the 40-mile trip with the motors off.
We went in Government Cut past Miami Beach, Fischer Island, the Port of Miami, down town Miami and Brickell Key down the ICW to Key Biscayne. We anchored in No Name Harbor where we grilled chicken breasts and asparagus with mashed potatoes for dinner and carrot cake for desert.
The next morning, we tacked across the top of Biscayne Bay and picked up a mooring at Dinner Key Marina. The dockmaster recommend Fly Buy, a modern convenience store a few blocks away for Cuban sandwiches and coffees. He didn’t steer us wrong, they were amazing.
We walked around and did some shopping in Coconut Grove in the afternoon and had a tasty early dinner at the Peacock Garden Bistro. http://www.peacockspot.jaguarhg.com/
The wind picked up so the dinghy ride to the boat was exciting but not too wet. We slept in the next morning then retraced our route up the ICW past the port of Miami and out Government Cut sailing outside back up the coast to Ft. Lauderdale’s inlet Port Everglades
We took a trip up the New River past the palatial homes to down town and then back to the ICW. If we had more time, we could have tied to the bank and spent the night enjoying Las Olas Boulevard’s shops, restaurants and night life.
From there we motor sailed up to Lantana where we anchored dinghied in for an early lunch at the Old Key Lime House http://oldkeylimehouse.com/
Then it was up the ditch to Delray Beach. We tied to the dock in behind Deck 84 by the Atlantic Avenue bridge. https://www.deck84.com/ We had a great dinner and spent the night. Then it was on up past the larger and larger mansions of Palm Beach before returning to the City Dock in plenty of time for my guests to catch their flights back North.
I bid my guest goodbye, had dinner ashore, and slept well before my crew arrived to help me sail outside back up to Stuart. The next morning was Saturday and the Farmer’s Market was just getting started as I walked to breakfast.
We had great weather, good winds, and the boat performed very well. All agreed it was a wonderful trip. Here are some of my guests’ compliments and likes:
You drove the boat very well and navigated to good destinations.
You are eager to share your experiences.
You found some good destinations.
Lighthouse Anchorage and dinghy ride to Nauti Dawg.
Mooring ball and Coconut Grove area.
Heated cabin on cold mornings and air conditioning on warm nights.
Comfortable beds.
Electric Heads.
Morning coffee on deck.
Music underway and at anchor
Access to books giving detailed info on sailing in the area
Great beds (best sheets ever)
Great shower
Fixing dinner on the boat
Extremely well stocked and appointed galley
Your knowledge of local restaurants and things to do
Your willingness to share the helm
Tour of New River and Fort Lauderdale
Hanging baskets in the head…awesome
If you too want to experience a day, a sunset, or a longer trip to West Palm and places south, call Popeye at 913-645-8206 to discuss what you have in mind.