SAMPLE NAVIGATION PLAN
Any cruising trip to the Florida Keys should include a detailed navigation plan. It will take a lot of research and several hours to complete. When it's done you will have a solid plan and can approach your trip with confidence.
This is a sample of one put together for a 4 day round trip from Key Largo to Key West (this is an �aggressive� plan� the kind of trip that should only be attempted in perfect weather conditions.)
Note that specific locations are identified (GPS and markers) and clearly ordered.
Along with waypoints, your plan should include references to chart and cruising guidebook pages. This way the navigator can mainly work off your detailed plan sheet and easily refer back to the chart and cruising guide as needed.
Finally, note references to landmarks that should be seen at each waypoint (the landmark references were derived from charts.)
SAMPLE NAVIGATION DIRECTIONS & WAYPOINTS
DAY ONE--LEAVE WESTIN RESORT IN KEY LARGO, ARRIVE AT FARO BLANCO MARINA IN MARATHON
Start at Key Largo Westin (N25-04.15, W080-29.81)
Head west across Florida Bay to ICW.
Pick up marker ICW Green 61 (N 25-03.50, W080-31.24)
Pigeon Key will be to the south
SSE to Red 62A
Past various daymarks
WSW to Green 71 Entrance to Tavernier Creek
Watch out for shoaling to the north of channel . Creek entrance jets out far from key.
E through Tavernier Creek
Out to ocean via marked channel-Serious shoals on either side!
To light FL 6s 16ft 5m (N24-59.21, W080-31.33)
SSW to �Hen & Chickens� snorkel location (N24-55.96, W080-32.90)
Light-Red 40 Off Plantation Point. Look for R TR on land.
SW to Green 41�232 degrees/4 miles
(24-53.3, 80-36.6) Off Upper Matecumbe Key. Micro TR on shore nearby
SW to Red 44�244 degrees/11.3 miles
(24-47.8, 80-47.0) Long Key jets out near this mark
S to Green 45�246 degrees/9.3 miles
(24-43.4, 80-56.0) �Micro TR� can be seen on Grassy Key near mark?
S to Red 48 (46?)�252/5.4 miles
(24-41.4, 81-01.5)
Note�do not travel all the way to next marker
Marathon Air Strip nearby this mark
Western Boot Key-Green 1 (reference only!)
Do not head straight for this mark!
(N 24-41.97, W 081-07.19)
AM Broadcasting Tower seen on end of Boot Key, prior to Seven Mile Bridge
After Boot Key, Head North to Bay under Seven Mile bridge
Then head East to Faro Blanco Marina (look for marina's decorative tower)
End of Day One cruising
***************** SAMPLE-NOT FOR NAVIGATION ***********************
DAY TWO--LEAVE FARO BLANCO MARINA IN MARATHON, ARRIVE GALLEON MARINA IN KEY WEST
Head 1.5 miles north of Faro Blanco Marina to light
Red 16 (or called 20), also Green 19 is here
(N24-43.74, W080-07.50)
Head 248 degrees for 5 miles after this point. Pass parallel north of Seven Mile Bridge
To Light Green 17 near Little Money Key
(24-41.7, 81-12.5)
We will pass north of Green 19 in 2 miles
(at Missouri Key)
Pass south of Light Red 20
(just north of Bahia Honda)
Head southwest around Bahia Honda for 2 miles
Go under power lines
Go under fixed bridge out to ocean
Stay about 2 miles off shore on a heading of 262 degrees
Head towards non-marked GPS point (Called "Yeoman A" on this map.)
(24-36N, 81-22N)
Located 2 miles off Newfound Harbor. This is the approximate path of Hawk Channel
Pass south of Red �50A� at Cudjoe Key. This point will feel like the furthest off shore.
Continue to Light off Sugar Loaf Key
(24-34.1, 81-33.1) at Nine Foot Shoal
Continue to Light off Boca Chica Channel Red �2�
On shore look for tank, largest of three
(24-32.5, 81-43.9) Pass just to the south of the light
Continue to Light off Key West Red Fl R 4s 32ft
(24-32.25, 081-48.39)
Follow Key West Harbor Range to West Bight Channel, Turn into basin at Red �24�
Galleon Marina is in Key West Bight: Follow Mainship Channel to Marker No. 24, then steer to Marker No. 4 at the East end of the breakwater and entrance to marina.
End of Day Two crusing.
************ SAMPLE-NOT FOR NAVIGATION *****************************
DAY THREE--KEY WEST TO HAWKS CAY RESORT IN DUCK KEY (UPPER MARATHON)
West out of Galleon Marina on Bight Channel.
South on Main Ship Channel, round Key West
East in Hawk Channel to
Light off Key West Red Fl R 4s 32ft
(24-32.25, 081-48.39)
Continue to Light off Boca Chica Channel Red �2�
On shore look for tank, largest of three
(24-32.5, 81-43.9) Pass just to the south of the light
Continue from here on a course for 079 degrees
Continue to Light off Sugar Loaf Key
(24-34.1, 81-33.1) at Nine Foot Shoal
Pass just to the north of this light.
Continue from here on a course for 082 degrees
Head towards Light Green 49A
Off Bahia Honda key
Pass in channel, � of a mile to the north of this light
(N 24-37.52, W 081-14.15)
Continue from here on a course of 077 degrees
Head to Red 48 off Vaca Key
(24-41.4, 81-01.5)
Marathon Air Strip nearby this mark
Continue from here on a course of 072 degrees
Head Green 45 at Grassy Key
(24-43.4, 80-56.0) �Micro TR� can be seen on Grassy Key near mark?
Get out of channel. Begin course towards land
Head to mouth of Duck Key channel Light Red 2
(N 24-45.84, W 080-54.65)
Watch strong current in channel
As you enter the mouth of the channel and approach the large rock in the center, turn hard up the channel to the east. Follow the channel around to the Hawk�s Cay Marina. You can also raise the marina on VHF 16 for directions.
End of Day Three cruising
******************** SAMPLE-NOT FOR NAVIGATION ***********************
DAY FOUR--HAWKS CAY RESORT IN DUCK KEY TO KEY LARGO
Head out of Duck Key channel to Light Red 2
(N 24-45.84, W 080-54.65)
Watch strong current in channel
From this light head ENE out of channelto Red 44
(24-47.8, 80-47.0) Long Key jets out near this mark
Proceed from here on a course of 064 degrees
NE to Green 41�11.3 Miles
(24-53.3, 80-36.6) Off Upper Matecumbe Key. Micro TR on shore nearby
Proceed on a course of 232 degrees from here
NNE 4 miles to �Hen & Chickens�
Light-Red 40 Off Plantation Point. Look for R TR on land
(N24-55.96, W080-32.90)
Get out of Hawks Channel. Make a northerly course to Tavernier Creek light, 3.5 miles
Light FL 6s 16ft 5m (N24-59.21, W080-31.33)
Head NW through Tavernier Creek
Tavernier Crrek to Green 71
Watch out for shoaling to the north of channel as we proceed.
Pass various daymarks
NW to Red 62A
North to Green 61 (N 25-03.50, W080-31.24)
Pigeon Key will be to the south
Cut across Florida Bay back to the West Resort in Key Largo
End Day Four cruising
********************** SAMPLE-NOT FOR NAVIGATION **********************
WARNING: THIS IS A SAMPLE PLAN AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR NAVIGATION. NO REPRESENATIONS ARE MADE AS TO THE ACCURACY OR RELIABLITY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION. ALWAYS NAVIGATE WITH CURRENT CHARTS, CRUISING GUIDES AND GPS.
