Marina Review for Robbie's of Key West LLC

Reviewed by: Matt Stringer on May 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Very accommodating when we needed sail drive work. Scheduled quickly on a short haul and left us in the sling until the next morning saving us blocking fees. Travel lift for our 22' beam, they told us they have hauled 23.5' beam before.

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Nav Alert comment on FL: Marathon Entrance Channel

Comment by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on May 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

used channel to access fuel dock and slip at Safe Harbor Marathon. was advised to favor the greens and found deeper water on that side of the channel all the way to fuel dock. If on outside slip, stay close to the docks to avoid shoaling when turning from the channel.

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Nav Alert comment on FL: Marathon Entrance Channel

Comment by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on May 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

used channel to access fuel dock and slip at Safe Harbor Marathon. was advised to favor the greens and found deeper water on that side of the channel all the way to fuel dock. If on outside slip, stay close to the docks to avoid shoaling when turning from the channel.

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Nav Alert comment on FL: Marathon Entrance Channel

Comment by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on May 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

used channel to access fuel dock and slip at Safe Harbor Marathon. was advised to favor the greens and found deeper water on that side of the channel all the way to fuel dock. If on outside slip, stay close to the docks to avoid shoaling when turning from the channel.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Duplicate.

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Nav Alert comment on FL: Marathon Entrance Channel

Comment by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on May 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

used channel to access fuel dock and slip at Safe Harbor Marathon. was advised to favor the greens and found deeper water on that side of the channel all the way to fuel dock. If on outside slip, stay close to the docks to avoid shoaling when turning from the channel.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Duplicate.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Nav Alert comment on FL: Marathon Entrance Channel

Comment by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on May 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

used channel to access fuel dock and slip at Safe Harbor Marathon. was advised to favor the greens and found deeper water on that side of the channel all the way to fuel dock. If on outside slip, stay close to the docks to avoid shoaling when turning from the channel.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  Duplicate.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Nav Alert comment on FL: Marathon Entrance Channel

Comment by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on May 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

used channel to access fuel dock and slip at Safe Harbor Marathon. was advised to favor the greens and found deeper water on that side of the channel all the way to fuel dock. If on outside slip, stay close to the docks to avoid shoaling when turning from the channel.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Marathon

Reviewed by: Matt Stringer , sv Salty Souls, on May 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Stopped for an in-transit overnight, so no experience with amenities. Stayed on fixed dock a bit narrow for a 22' beam catamaran with about 25' between finger Pier and pile. Friendly dock hand grabbed lines and helped us get on safe. Clean, maintained facilities, water worked in slip.

Good diesel price. Gas, water and pump out available at fuel dock. Good help from Heath taking lines and handing hoses and advice on the current. It is in the channel, so watch the current. Store is well stocked for a fuel dock.

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Anchorage Review for Long Key Bight

Reviewed by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on May 8, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Quiet anchorage, charted depths seemed accurate as we entered on +0.8 foot rising tide. with 4 5 draft we went deep enough to find good protection from SE to S to W to N. We found weeds in sand made setting anchor a bit challenging, but stuck once down.

Didn't see any wifi available but full bars on Mint ( Verizon) cell service. we didn't find shore access on the bight.

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Anchorage Review for Redfish Point

Reviewed by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on Apr 20, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

We dropped a lunch hook in front of this sandy beach to access town by 1 mile dinghy ride across the channel. The City marina was closed for hurricane repair, creating more of a challenge finding a dinghy dock.

Anchored in 8' close to shore in good sand with protection South to west to north. No protection from any easterly component wind. some wake came in from the channel, but the point keeps those boats fairly distant and the largest commercial traffic we saw didn't pass by here.

The southerly end of the beach had signs restricting shore access due to military base. The northerly end of the beach was accessed by fishermen while were there.

Nearly full bars on Mint Mobile (Verizon network) and Starlink Roam had good access here.

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Anchorage Review for Smack Bayou

Reviewed by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on Apr 20, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Well protected and silent anchorage where we rode out forecast 25+ winds with barely a ripple in the water.

We carefully navigated the shallow entrance, but didn't see less than 12' (on a +1 tide). we anchored in 10' on SW corner of the bayou with 2 other boats already in and probably could have fit another. Rode out high winds without excellent holding in muddy sandy bottom, protected from all direction from wind, wave and wake. We didn't see a mooring ball.

A few slivers of shoreline on the bayou could allow for pets ashore, we didn't see signs controlling access here. Otherwise, shore was reedy and not accessible. The 1 mile dinghy ride to Panama City is reasonable, if choppy. Finding dinghy is the typical challenge.

Full bars with Mint Mobile and Starlink Roam worked well here.

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Anchorage Review for Shell Island

Reviewed by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on Apr 20, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Gorgeous anchorage and powdery white sand dunes for walks! We enjoyed sunset over the gulf by following a path to the other side.

We anchored with 9 feet in good holding sand with excellent wind protection from all southerly winds, but no protection from any west, east or northerly winds. We enjoyed easy shore access with dinghy to sandy beach or tied to old piles. We did not dinghy the 3.5 miles into town from here through the main channel and open bay, but chose to anchor closer for shopping and shore access.

Shell beach is a tour destination, so we caught wakes with the first boats coming in around 9 am, but were all gone in the afternoon, so we had the anchorage an beach to ourselves for a few hours to sunset. Some dune areas are closed for bird nesting and habitat protection, so pets must stay on leash to not disturb the wild life.

Had good cell service with Mint Mobile and Starlink Roam worked here.

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Anchorage Review for Clearwater Beach Causeway

Reviewed by: Matt Stringer, sv Salty Souls, on Apr 20, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Good holding in 10' with sand bottom and well protected from the north and northeast winds, but little fetch from other directions keeps the chop down even in 15+ knots. Plenty of wakes during the day, but practically no one on the water at night, so a peaceful sleep. Current swung us twice a day when the wind was down.

Dinghy docks are hard to come by, but there is a primitive beach landing with bike path nearby. We tied to a tree and crossed the bridge to the Bait House for drunken shrimp! The Clearwater Municipal Harbor Marina has free 4-hour G-Dock access 1 mile east across the bay (verify on their website). We heard tour boats and ferries leaving from across the channel starting around 7:30 am, but were done by dusk. The sounds of music and fireworks drifted from the beach on the Easter holiday weekend.

Great cell reception on Mint Mobile, Starlink Roam worked. Did not find public Wi-Fi here.

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