A month in Florida: Grady-White 275 or Axopar 37?

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mr_mbuna

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I am going to spend January in Florida, either Fort Lauderdale, Key Largo, or Marathon. I'd appreciate some input from people in the area on which of my boats I should take.

I have a 2011 Grady-White 275 dual console and a 2021 Axopar 37XC. What would I gain by taking the Axopar? Is there anything I could do with it (e.g., go to the Bahamas) that I couldn't do with the 27' boat?
If we take the GW we would probably leave it down there with a broker to list it for sale. The Axopar we would bring back to Annapolis afterwards, so the transport costs would be $3K for the GW one-way vs. $8K for the Axopar round-trip (or $2K of extra cost if I tow the Axopar both ways myself).

P.s. I'm also interested in hearing opinions on Fort Lauderdale vs. Key Largo vs. Marathon in January. I haven't committed to any specific rental yet, though there are several good options in the $10K-$12K/month range.
 

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I've done Lauderdale and the Keys that time of year for 20+years. Pompano Beach, Islamorda and Key Colony Beach. Mostly Islamorada.
What do you want to do there?
 
Mostly the purpose is to escape from / punctuate the Mid-Atlantic winter. I will be working full days during the week, but it’d be nice to swim in the pool and go to restaurants on the boat in the evenings, go snorkeling or diving or to the beach on the weekends.
 
mr_mbuna said:
Mostly the purpose is to escape from / punctuate the Mid-Atlantic winter. I will be working full days during the week, but it’d be nice to swim in the pool and go to restaurants on the boat in the evenings, go snorkeling or diving or to the beach on the weekends.
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What kind of housing do you want to rent? Do you want the boat in the water all the time?

I rent a house each year in Islamorada (Lower Mantacumbe) every year for 2 to 2 1/2 months. House is on a canal on Atlantic side. Many more houses on bay side. This is a quiet key (which we like). Longer drives to food stores. Fewer restaurants.

If you want to do snorkeling and boating activities I would look at Tavineer up to Largo. John Penecamp Park if there. Better reefs. Plenty of restaurants. More protected waters.

Homes may have small pools. Resorts will be pricey and may not have dockage.
 
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Halfhitch said:
The Keys in January are a bit windy. If your crew is a die-hard bunch, you will be OK. Family not so much. Key Largo if you like the social/sandbar scene plus some fishing. Marathon if you are just fishing.

This is for this coming week. January will be similar.

https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/marathon_islamorada
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Marathon key! no crouds and the all the school kids are at the other keys, there are some boat stops here we we pull up and party a little and if family are coming this is it.
 
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