We had intended to stay at the city mooring field while at Key West. We went there and were told by the dockmaster (via radio) to pick up any mooring ball which was available and not flagged with a red flag. The wind, meanwhile, has picked up again – blowing 20-30 knots. The first mooring ball we approached was flagged with a little red flag that you can’t see until you are on top of the mooring ball. The second was the same. At this point I am getting pretty frustrated motoring around the mooring field near other boats in 20-30 knot winds trying to locate a viable mooring ball. The third ball was a no go. Finally, the fourth mooring ball appeared to be available.
Step 2 – pick up the mooring ball. Sounds easy right? Well since the city was not nice enough to leave lines on their mooring balls, you literally have to grab the ball, thread your line through the eye on the top of the ball and tie the line off to the boat. Sound easy? Try adding the complexity of 20-30 knot winds and the fact that we are a catamaran and tall enough at the bow so we couldn’t reach the mooring ball and instead needed to pick it up at the stern. Fourty five minutes and 4 attempts later we were secured to the mooring ball. I won’t even begin to mention the number of profanities that could be heard from most members of the boat during this 45 minute interval.
When we finally took a break to recover from the ordeal, I was pretty upset with the whole concept of the mooring field. We all were. The boats in the mooring field were pretty derelict. The field far from town. I don’t think anyone was happy with the accommodations.
So we left and instead decided to take a slip at the Westin Resort and Marina. It is located right by the cruise ship dock, right in town, right next to Mallory Square. And if the location wasn’t enough to make you drool, it also came with use of the pool, jacuzzi and fitness center. Oh my!!
The Admiral
3/26/09
Step 2 – pick up the mooring ball. Sounds easy right? Well since the city was not nice enough to leave lines on their mooring balls, you literally have to grab the ball, thread your line through the eye on the top of the ball and tie the line off to the boat. Sound easy? Try adding the complexity of 20-30 knot winds and the fact that we are a catamaran and tall enough at the bow so we couldn’t reach the mooring ball and instead needed to pick it up at the stern. Fourty five minutes and 4 attempts later we were secured to the mooring ball. I won’t even begin to mention the number of profanities that could be heard from most members of the boat during this 45 minute interval.
When we finally took a break to recover from the ordeal, I was pretty upset with the whole concept of the mooring field. We all were. The boats in the mooring field were pretty derelict. The field far from town. I don’t think anyone was happy with the accommodations.
So we left and instead decided to take a slip at the Westin Resort and Marina. It is located right by the cruise ship dock, right in town, right next to Mallory Square. And if the location wasn’t enough to make you drool, it also came with use of the pool, jacuzzi and fitness center. Oh my!!
The Admiral
3/26/09
1 comment:
Oh my heart, I can just about imagine trying to grab that darn ball! Wise choice to head to the Westin to save the marriage. haha I know that I would've been in tears and my captain would have been trying to coach and drive at the same time. OYA HAHA I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Key West! It's a fun town.
Chris Shoff
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