Boot Key

Boot Key

January 13, 2021

We left Rodriguez Cay early this morning.  Quickly getting the sail up, we turned for the Hawk Channel.  The wind seemed quite strong at anchor but eased significantly once we had motored long enough to cool the fridge!  After a few hours, our course turned more to the southwest.  The wind was more on the starboard quarter and we were able to sail for a few hours.  Much to our dismay, we found significant numbers of lobster/crab trap floats.  This required constant vigilance both while motoring and sailing.  Some sections were reminiscent of Maine. 

In addition to crab traps, we saw quite a number of Portuguese man o’ war.  These are marine hydrozoan also know as “floating terror”.  The sail portion of the animal looks a lot like a plastic bottle floating on the water *.  On closer inspection you can see the blue color. Luckily I didn’t see or encounter the stinging tentacles.  I tried to figure out why it’s not considered a jellyfish but what I read was not illuminating. The animal has no means of locomotion (unlike a jellyfish) and relies on the wind for movement.  A sting leaves long red welts on the skin.  I’m reconsidering my afternoon swim.

In fact, by mid afternoon, the sky was overcast.  Combined with a strong north wind, it’s not really swimming weather.  We are anchored to the west of Boot Key (Marathon) and hope to visit the marina and town tomorrow.

Gloria

24 41.649 N, 81 07.172 W

* Actually, they also sort of look like condoms floating on the water! This inspired one of us (not Gloria!) to think we should go into business selling a line of nature inspired condoms. I think the “Portuguese Man of War” could be a best selling trade name … Gloria suggested the deluxe model could be sold complete with tentacles!  

Mike

Powerboat anchored to the south of us off Rodriguez Key as the evening closes in- it gives you a sense of how open this anchorage is to the south and east.

The same powerboat at sunrise

Mackerel skies

Sailing down the Hawk Channel south of Key Largo. The Hawk channel is up to a mile wide and 10-20 feet deep and runs all the way down from Key Biscayne to Key West between the keys themselves and the offshore reef to the east / south. There are only a few place where you can cross the keys from the Hawk channel to Florid Bay side and similarly only a few places where you can get from the Hawk Channel to the open ocean.

Sailing down the Hawk Channel south of Key Largo