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Reviews: Boot Key Outside - Marathon

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Holding:
4.36
Good, Sand, Grass
Wind Protection:
3.09
Open and Exposed South Through West
Current Flow:
3.00
Wake Protection:
2.18
Open and Exposed South Through West
Scenic Beauty:
3.45
Ease of Shopping:
2.67
Shore Access:
3.20
Pet Friendly:
3.00
Cell Service:
4.10
WiFi:
1.00

  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden, Gracefull, on Apr 21, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    2
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Shore Access:
    4
    Cell Service:
    4

    A good alternative to Boot Key Harbor which can often have no mooring balls available. The bottom is sandy and setting the anchor is quick and easy. There are commonly 6-10 vessels anchored out, but there is plenty of room: no need to be crowded.

    Tidal current is significant and will have an impact on how you lie to the wind. We've not found swells or surge to be significant. There is a fair amount of traffic in and out of Boot Key, so be prepared for wakes, but most are small sport fishers on full plane, and so often not worse than wind waves. They frequently pass between the anchored vessels and the shore. At times crab traps will be set between the anchorage area and shore.

    This anchorage is convenient to the the fuel docks at near the mouth of the channel. One, Burdine's, has a dinghy dock behind (north of) it. They charge a nominal $10, or request you come to their restaurant to eat or drink. Just beer and wine—no liquor is served—and a number of good entrees and appetizers. They also serve a somewhat unique take on Key Lime pie: they deep fry it. It's worth trying, but they have a more traditional version for the timid.

    The dinghy dock at Burdine's provides quick access to the West Marine and, even closer, a laundromat. There are also a few restaurants nearby, the sea turtle hospital, several marine engine service facilities including an authorized Yanmar center.

    If you want groceries or hardware, your best bet is to take the dinghy all the way to Boot Key Harbor mooring field. It's a little more expensive to get a 24-hour pass there, but that provides access to their showers, laundry machines, and a day room with WiFi. Laundry is a bit more expensive at the mooring field than at the laundromat.

    Near the mooring field is 3rd Generation Plumbing who can fill your propane tanks (M-F). If you use larger tanks (typical home grill 20-pound variety) you may prefer to just exchange your tank at the Home Depot that is about 3/4 mile up Keys. A Walgreen's and a Publix are another 3/4 mile beyond that.

    When we were headed to the Bahamas with our cat, we used Marathon Veterinary Hospital—about halfway between the Home Depot and the Publix—for the certification the Bahamas requires occur 24 hours (or so) before arriving.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Jeffrey Womack, SV Mischievous Mermaid, on Feb 23, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 44'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    4
    Shore Access:
    4
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    Great anchorage. We were pleasantly surprised. Good holding. Some recreational traffic. Close proximity to retail.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Tony Buntyn on Jan 2, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 47'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    3
    Pet Friendly:
    3
    Cell Service:
    4
    WiFi:
    1

    Beautiful sunset view of 7 Mile Bridge. Excellent holding. Bumpy due to boat traffic and waves from ocean. Wind protection from E and NE winds but completely open otherwise. We did not venture ashore.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Shawn Murphy, Gradle, on Mar 24, 2022
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 48'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    3
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    1

    Anchored in 8 ft of sand. Many boats anchored here. A little far from services.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Malcolm Rubel on Mar 20, 2022
    LOA: 48'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    3

    Boot Key Outside Anchorage is on the "Outside" of the Seven Mile Bridge that connects Marathon Key to the outer keys and Key West. Approaching from the north you can take either the Seven Mile Bridge South over Moser Passage or, approaching for the east with a clearance of less than 19 feet, you can take the more direct Knight Key Channel Bridge (mm 1194) to more directly access the anchorage field. Coming from the straights, it is a simple turn to the north for a mile to enter the anchorage. Depths through the anchorage are from 9 to 12 feet with good holding in sand. There is a tidal current that runs through the anchorage with as much as a 1 mph current so expect to swing with the current and make sure that all the boats around you are anchored on one anchor and are expecting to do the same. Depending on the wind speed and direction you can expect the anchorage to have a bit of bounce to it. Things calmed down after dark but started up again early in the morning as the boats left Marathon for deep sea fishing. This was not the secluded anchorage you had in your dreams but it was not intolerable either. We went to bed early and were prepared to be woken at first light by Sport Fisherman. Shore access has been discussed in other reviews and we can add nothing as we did not even try to go ashore during our overnight stay Cell reception was very good for ATT 5G, and fair to good for Verizon and T-Mobile. We were there on a Saturday Night and there was diverse music options playing from shore and passing boat. Would we stay here again? Definitely, "yes." The anchorage offers a certainty of space availability and a reasonable assumption of an acceptable, if not perfect, overnight stay as you work your way through the Keys.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Amanda Arnwine, Ivory Lady, on Mar 20, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 34'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    4
    Cell Service:
    4

    Great Holding, quiet at night but TONS of high speeding boat traffic all day long 10 feet from your boat. So prepare to get rocked. Burdine's and Castaways are about a 15 minute dingy ride. Free dingy dock if you patronize them. $10 fee at Burdines if you need to go to town.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Steve Meyers, Moku, on Feb 18, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 43'
    Draft: 5.5'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    Great holding and wind protection for the predominantly Easterly winds. The local fishing charter 2 Conchs will fly by and wake the boat within 30 feet. Great sunset view of the 7-mile bridge.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Stephen on Dec 29, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 6.5'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    1
    Pet Friendly:
    1
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    1

    We was shocked by how much our expectation was not meet. People rave about here but we got to say we where very disappointed. Long dingy ride to the municiple dingy dock. Which is way over priced. $22 for daily use. Showers and laundry room although new where poorly looked after and very runs down. Long walks to the shops from the municiple dock.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Len Barton on Jun 10, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 41'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    2
    Ease of Shopping:
    1
    Shore Access:
    2

    Spent two nights here rather than enter the crowded harbor.
    I needed to see a doctor regarding a possible fractured clavicle.
    Advance Urgent Care was a bit of a ride by Uber. But the care was excellent.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Terry Eisler, Terry Tyme, on Jun 8, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 6.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Cell Service:
    5

    Anchored here with sse winds up to 18K. Plenty of room with good holding. A little traffic from marina but good location for nights rest.

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  • Review for Boot Key Outside - Marathon

    Reviewed by: Paul G Tuennerman, Bad Captain, on May 5, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 46'
    Draft: 6.5'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    5
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    I spent two days at anchor in April 2021, as winds shifted from the East, around to the Southeast, and eventually, the South. If you're not inclined to enter into Boot Key, either due to the size of your Vessel or simply wanting to avoid the mayhem, this is an ideal spot. My Hylas 46 held firm as winds went from 5- to 10-Knots on the first day to +20-Knots on the second. It's a short dinghy ride to numerous shops, restaurants, and bars.

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