So, we boogied on down to Key West in November, all amped up that we were getting a nice early start on the cruising season this year. And then we sat, and sat, and sat, in KW. The passage from Key West to Isla Mujeres is only 350 miles, but it spends the entire distance contending with the Gulf Stream, and that’s why we were stuck for all those weeks.
We’d run across the stream right down to the coast of Cuba, then get out of it for a while there before crossing the Yucatan channel where the stream kicks up to 3 knots. With a wind out of the north that can make for some massive seas. So that’s what we’ve been waiting in order to avoid.
Back in November Ali’s sister wrote us that she wanted to visit us in Mexico. Yeah, book it, we’ll be there in plenty of time.
Ugh. So, about two weeks before their visit we finally decided that Ali and the kids would fly over to Isla Mujeres to vacation with her sister, mom, niece and nephew. I’d stay behind in Key West and take care of the boat.
After weeks of waiting, it was no big surprise when a weather window finally materialized just days after we booked those non-refundable tickets.
We decided in the end that Ali would stick to the plan of flying with the kids, and I’d cruise on over to Mexico, arriving just one day before them. To be perfectly honest, there is nothing less stressful for me than jumping on a boat alone and going for a cruise. With just myself to worry about, there is basically no worry. If I end up pounding relentlessly for 48 hours, oh well, I’ll swear at the sea and shake my fist, but at least the kids won’t be curled up in a ball and Ali won’t be yelling, “I thought the forecast was supposed to be GOOOOOOD!!!”
Tea party with friends in Key West the day before the winds finally calmed.
This one fuel fill is all it would take for us to get from here to Guatemala this year, though I’ll likely top off before then.
So, anyway, we finally loaded up in Key West, said goodbye to friends, and motored over to the fuel dock to fill up for the 350 mile trip. I know, it’s almost comically short compared to some of the passages we’ve done. Forty to forty-four hours.
With full tanks, I said goodbye, and motored off into the wishy-wash sloppy Key West waves that I’m pretty sure accompany the first 25 miles in any direction out of the island.
Ships would be my constant companion on this passage.
Overall, the first day was nice. Had a small following swell, and just some sloppy little wave action. I gave the boat a nice fresh water rinse once the seas laid down and I stopped getting spray over the bow and settled in up top for the night. I don’t drive from inside unless it’s pouring rain, and this trip was no exception. I probably spent a total of 30 minutes inside during the passage.
Day two I was running about 15 miles off the coast of Cuba in mostly calm seas.
Around four o’clock a few rows of storm clouds came creeping up on me, and for a while the winds kicked up to 25-30 knots, which is exactly what I did not need at dark going across the Yucatan Channel. After kicking up the seas and getting the boat covered in salt again, the last line of clouds moved on as the sun set.
The only thing that kept me from getting decent sleep on this trip was the constant parade of cruise ships. I’d pass a ship, set the kitchen timer for 15 minutes, clip it onto my shirt collar, and go to sleep. I’d wake up, and sure enough there would be another ship a few miles off that would keep me awake until it was past. All told I managed maybe 3 hours of sleep over two days.
I got to Isla Mujeres in the early morning darkness, poked slowly into the bay and anchored on the outside of the line of anchor lights. Showered, e-mailed Ali, and went to bed. Woke up to find about 25 boats anchored in the bay. Since we were going to have family in town for the week I pulled into a marina, got checked in with Customs and Immigration and washed the boat. Home again. [Note: I used Chepo @ Marina Paraiso as my agent to get cleared in as I read it was the quickest/easiest way. Total Cost = $495usd: $385usd Health/Agriculture/Immigration/Customs/Port Fees + $50usd tip to Chepo; Boat TIP, Temporary Import Permit, was $60usd plus ferry cost to Cancun.]
Isla Mujeres is a major tourist hub, and it seems every one of them piles onto the front of a catamaran for a day trip, sinking the bows of the overloaded boats in true Mexican safety-less style.
I clearly don’t take this seafaring business seriously enough. That night Ali’s sister wrote to me: “Hope you are safe. See you soon.” And I replied, “s.e.n.d.h.e.l.p.”
A couple minutes later Ali e-mailed me (remember we aren’t normal people, and can’t just call, or text each other): “Toni almost called my mom to ask what she should do!”
Sucker.
24 Comments on “Key West to Mexico”
It’s probably lucky you’re married and supervised, for you own good. Must be great to be back in home waters.
Yes, you are right about that Jon. All of it.
I’ve been following you all for quite some time. We love Blue Heaven in Key West. We’ve sailed the Caribbean several times and we’ll be back in the BVI’s in June. I’m glad you had an, essentially, uneventful passage. Maybe we’ll meet up on the water someday. Until then, I’ll see you on the Wanderer Financial site.
Thanks, Bill. We would like that.
We’re stuck in the USA during the Best Weather for our hometown in Sonora. It sure helps to read your stories ! Thank You!
Bummer Billie, hope you get unstuck soon. Happy 2019.
Live year round on Isla Mujeres But visiting kids in Oregon right now. Small world. Love reading your adventures .
Hola Jeanette! Yes very small. Might have to pick your brain a bit about the island…favorite this, do not do that…
SO stoked you guys are back in Mexico! How long has it been?
Us too. August 2017 is when we drove out with the Travelall and Airstream. Seems like a lifetime ago…
Glad to hear your passage went well. Hope you have an awesome week with the family. Looking forward to hearing about your travels in Mexico.
Thanks, Marie. Already looking at getting some land travel in and we’ve only been here a week!
Glad you had an uneventful trip down to Isla Mujeres. Safe travels.
Thanks, Rex.
Come South!! Rio Dulce and Roatan are not to be missed!!!
We will, just getting our chill on now that we got out of the USA. We need a bit of unwinding island time first.
Amazingly easy to make passages in a power boat.
I am a long time sailor and envy the idea of just clicking on the audio-pilot and relaxing the hours away.
Glad you made it. Glad you’re back in Mexico. I think you guys will be happy there. Lots of affordable fresh fruit and tacos!!!
wow, haven’t checked in in forever. we’re in your old stomping grounds after raising our kids in Mexico. we still have a place down there 6km north of Puerto Aventuras if you need room to spread. we would go to isla for semana santa ocassionally when we lived there – north bit of the island is more touristy than the rest but there is really no escape. 🙂 enjoy!
Just PM’d you.
Awesome job glad you guys finally made it ?
So happy you guys are back in Mexico!
I’ll be looking forward to a new post card! Hint, Hint, I love my collection.
I know how you all Love Mexico.
Miss you!
You’d be loving the weather in the P.N.W. right now rain , clouds and lots of snow in the mountains. ??♥️?Love you guys, Take Care , Theresa
May I ask the power and speed of your vessel, and how much fuel you used on that trip
Our Grand Banks has twin Ford Lehman 135hp engines. We ran these at 8.5 knots and they burned ~4.5 gallons an hour. For this trip I probably burned between 180 and 200 gallons.