Day 142
Early on Sunday morning, 01/31/21, Legacy and her crew left the comfortable slip on Dock B of Stock Island Marina Village, in erroute to Marlin Bay Resort & Marina on Marathon Key, which is about 45 miles east of Key West. Skipper Steve had checked the weather and even though it was breezier than we’d have liked, the future weather would not be favorable for crossing. Because of shallow depth concerns on the bay side (gulf side) of the Keys, we opted to travel back in the Atlantic, via Hawks Channel, through which we’d come just over a month earlier on that fateful day we arrived on Key West. Gilligan was not excited about this prospect, but was even more fearful of running aground AGAIN, so off we went. Forecasts called for 1-3 foot waves, and from what we understood from fellow travelers that day (with shallow enough drafts to comfortably navigate the bay side), that was indeed the case over in the gulf, but not so much for us out in Hawks Channel. Just like last time, the winds picked up and the swells became larger the farther east we cruised. Even though conditions were not as horrendous as they were back on 12/30/20, they were still not ideal. The waves were smaller, but the swells were significant, which caused our ride up in the flybridge to be very much like that never-ending roller-coaster of just a month earlier. In fact, during a particularly mountain-like swell, I once again flew off of my precarious perch in the flybridge (there’s only one captain’s chair up in the flybridge, unfortunately), because I wasn’t holding on tightly enough, and hit the back of my head on the corner of the flybridge table. UGH! That hit really smarted, but I survived, and made sure I held on tighter from then on. For our entire run up the Keys (several long hours) on the Atlantic side, we dodged crab-pots and surfed swells until we reached the Seven Mile Bridge, which magically calmed the waters just as soon as we crossed underneath it out of the Atlantic and into the bay side.
Rick and Rhonda Spykman, on R&R, and Dave and Val Mamo, on Sea Major, also made the crossing from SIMV to Marlin Bay that same day, but because their boats draw less and go faster than Legacy, they took the bay side route and enjoyed much smoother rides. I envied them! Even though we traveled different routes, we all arrived at Marlin Bay close to the same times. Sea Major and R&R had reserved “inner basin” slips (which is more protected with less rocking), while Legacy was assigned to slip 41 in the “outer basin”. As we approached the marina, Steve hailed them on the radio, where they asked us to switch over to Channel 17. Even though large pilings are involved, the fixed docks at Marlin Bay are substantial and high. Miraculously, this time, Gilligan was able to get the bow lines thrown over both pilings without too many undue gymnastics. Once our bow lines were on, the dock master, Gregg, instructed Steve to ease Legacy the rest of the way back into our slip, where we got her tied and secured. Steve and I walked up to the marina office to speak with Barb, who gave us the whole scoop about our next month there at Marlin Bay. On the way up to the office, we passed Marlin Bay’s amazing swimming pool, which we’d already heard about from previous visitors to Marlin Bay. Gorgeous tropical landscaping surrounds the pool and pretty much all of the resort grounds. The pool has its own bar right beside it. There are also multiple 3-story, luxury condos available for rent that surround the pool and the large clubhouse. Just for kicks, we checked into the rates for one of the 3-bedroom/3-bath condos for a week in December of 2021, in case the kids and grand-kids might want to meet us down here for a visit, and were stunned to learn the per week rate would be $5,600.00! Unless the kids win the lottery, they probably aren’t going to be interested in these accommodations! 😐 There isn’t a restaurant on the grounds of Marlin Bay, but it is located very close to several delicious eateries, to which we could walk or Uber. (We are especially fortunate, because Rick and Rhonda brought their car up from Key West to use while they’re in Marathon, and are providing us VIPs with our own private shuttling! 😊)
Our slip, number 41, may be way out in the outer basin (quite a hike to and from the pool and restrooms) where conditions are slightly rockier, but we also have an unobstructed view of the glorious sunset right off the stern of our boat every single evening. That particular amenity is difficult to top!
We walked next door to Keys Fisheries for our first early dinner in Marathon. During our walk, we again noticed the small and humble abodes positioned near – and in direct contrast to – the luxury resort buildings. There was an undeniable aroma of used crab-pots in the air and we quickly saw the stacks and stacks of crab-pots across the street from Marlin Bay and all around us. I decided that Marathon must be “crab-pot central” for the Keys, and just tried to breath through my mouth until we got past them. Keys Fisheries is laid-back and whimsical, with all kinds of funny signs and sayings posted all around. Plus, the grounds were surrounded by the glorious, emerald green waters of Florida Bay, which enhances the beauty of any establishment!
Position: N 24° 43.015, W 81° 02.438
Distance traveled: 45 SM
Total distance traveled: 2444 SM
Total marina nights: 121
Total nights at anchor: 20
Locks today: 0
Locks Total: 27