We had a weather window to move North and left Marathon for Key Largo. It was a Calm, Comfortable Cruising Day, very nice after battling our way back to Marathon from Key West. We saw a sea turtle and a family of dolphins, three adults and two babies swimming right in front of the boat.
Reserving dockage is still a challenge. We weren’t able to reserve our first choice of marina in Key Largo. So we had a choice between docking at a marina that had a very narrow canal and water with skinny water at the entry. Or marina that had a sharp left turn into a long canal, that they called the “crash corner” which they give you very specific instructions on how to radio your approach. We opted for the narrow canal with skinny water and came in as the tide was rising. Well, turned out water wasn’t really the issue but we called the canal, the Canal from H_ _ _! We came in and saw noway two boats could possibly pass each other, we could practically jump from the boat right into the backyards of the houses along the canal and there were cement walls lining the canal and rocks along the bottom of sides. There was current and wind and it took your total focus to stay in the center of canal or you’d easily blow right into the wall and possibly hit a rocky bottom, despite white-knuckling his way through the canal, Ron landed the boat perfectly.
We cut our stay short to take advantage of a weather window to travel on the Atlantic to our next destination of Key Biscayne. The forecast was winds of 15 mph and waves 2.5 ft. We expected it to be a little rocky compared to our last cruise. I was able to get down to the galley to make our usual deli sandwich lunch but as is often the case, the waves and wind picked up in the afternoon and we were never able to eat lunch. We were happy to spot the lighthouse, knowing we were close to our destination. We were rewarded with a great slip with a great view of Coral Gables, South Beach and great sunsets at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club.
On Friday night there was a Kids overnight, where they set up tents on the front of the clubhouse lawn. Parents and kids played games, and families spent the night at the club. They served s’mores, a little different than how we do them at home and breakfast in the morning. We noticed the tents were down by 8 a.m. and everyone went home right after breakfast, probably so the parents could nap.
One of their club traditions was to have a “Fleet Review” with the outgoing Bridge. This involved a 70′ Marlow yacht docked right next to Flying Colors. The Bridge were dressed in their formal uniforms on the aft deck of the boat saluting as member boats, and the sailing school paraded by to honor their year of service and yes of course there was a party in the clubhouse after.
Reimanns 'round the loop in 2022 
Most amazing!
The canals I’m sure were sketchy, but we know that the Commodore’s navigation of the SCYC HI-LINE Liska’s Canal has given him plenty of practice. LOL!
Staying at yacht clubs must be amazing. When we visit them by road it’s fun.
Thanks for sharing 1st mate, navigator, and the sounding board for the Captain.
Team Flying Colors is truly shining bright!
Dan
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Again, thanks for the update. What a wonderful way to tour from harbor to harbor. Hope you’re getting your exercise for all that wonderful eating. Stay safe.
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Luckily we have to walk miles to get to the restaurants and sights, that helps. Many marinas have fitness rooms too!
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Seeing some rocky conditions, would you add stabilizers if you did this again?
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Well, the first mate is only doing this Loop once but if we did do it again, we would have a completely different boat with stabilizers. Not that this boat hasn’t been great, it has, its comfortable and had cruised great but we would become serious crusers if doing again, thus a serious ocean going vessel.
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