I chose to launch at Bahia Honda State Park. Its just a few miles past Vaca Key/Marathon, well about 10. Which would be a good sail back to Marathon. It also has two fantastic ramps; not too steep, not too shallow that get your boat into the yacht basin quickly. There are only two real issues with Bahia Honda: Its harbor entrance is only 3.5 feet deep and it is plain beautiful.
The waters are fairly shallow around the state park. This makes it a great spot for snorkeling or kayaking. You have to dodge many Man-o-wars, those pesky jelly fish that will attempt to send you to the hospital. If that doesn’t excite you, then there is always soaking up the sun on a perfect tropical island or walking the old railroad bridge. Concessions are also available, as are snorkel trips and cabin rentals.
Rigging the boat went quickly. I purchased a powder coated, steel, extending rod from Catalina Direct. It has a roller on the top for moving the mast aft and up until the pin can be set at the mast step. It then holds the mast high while I winch it up the rest of the way using the trailer winch strap. Of course, you still need to pin the aft lower and side shrouds prior to raising the mast, that way it doesn’t fall on cars in adjacent spaces. Oh, and the best part of the extending steel rod is that it doubles as one of the carriers for the mast when transporting the boat.
Rather than sail back the same day I launched, I availed myself of the facilities at Bahia Honda. It was $2 USD per foot, plus $2.50 for some Monroe County occupancy tax. But the stars are free and the absence of light pollution heightens their beauty.