Q: Where do we fly to, where do we meet the boat? 
A: For the most convenience to you, fly to Florida arriving at Miami International, Fort Lauderdale International, Marathon, or Key West airports. If you fly into Marathon I will pick you up at the airport. Otherwise, renting a car at the airport and keeping it for the week is usually the most convenient and economical option. You can contact one of the shuttle services (Keys Shuttle is very affordable and convenient. Contact them through their web site www.keysshuttle.com. To ‘n’ Fro Personalized Van and Car Service offers “single party” pick-up and drop-off. Contact them at www.tonfro.com. Other services are also available: check your favorite search engine.). If you prefer, many of the car rental companies allow affordable one-way rentals from area airports to their site at the Marathon Airport. Find them through your favorite search engine. If you are driving to the Keys, you’ll meet Barefoot at our home base at Hawk's Cay Resort: 61 Hawk's Cay Blvd, Marathon, FL 33050. Q: What’s the weather like?
A: While you peruse Barefoot’s web site you can check our local current weather on the top of each page. In the Keys we basically have two seasons – the rainy (summer) and the dry (winter). During our summer (April – October), the weather is usually warm and slightly humid – High 80’s to high 90’s, cooling to low 80’s to high 70’s at night. Afternoon squalls (rains) are typical, but usually pass quickly. The water temperature averages 84°, so wetsuits are rarely used. During our winter (November – March), the weather is somewhat cooler, averaging in the 80’s during the day, and into the 60’s and sometimes even the 50’s at night. Rain is less frequent during the winter, but as we are sub-tropical, it can still occur. The water temperature reaches the low 70’s, so wetsuit protection may be wise for snorkelers. A quick swim might be refreshing without a wetsuit, but snorkeling a reef, you may spend an hour or more in the water. You’ll get chilled quickly trying to observe marine life on the reefs in water of this temperature.
Q: How should we pack, what should we bring?
A: PACK LIGHTLY!!!!! People always tend to over-pack, so I suggest that after you’ve laid out everything you think you should bring, put half of it back. Use a soft sided, collapsible bag (a duffel or back-pack style bag is ideal). We don’t have room to store suitcases on the boat, so anything that doesn’t fit easily in your cabin can be stored on shore. A soft-sided type of bag that (as of this writing) is still permitted as airline carry-on luggage should be enough for the week. NOTE: We provide all bedding and pillows, bath towels, and a limited quantity of beach towels. This will save room in your packing.
Here is a list of items that have worked well for guests in the past:
Casual Shirts: You’ll find that you wear a bathing suit and tee shirt most of the time. 4 or 5 tee-shirts should be plenty. Something with a collar but still casual might be nice if you choose to include on-shore dinners.
Casual Pants, Long: If your trip is in our winter time, you may find that long-pants are more comfortable while sailing. Casual slacks, shorts, and jeans are permitted in almost any Keys restaurant or shore excursion. Little Palm Island does require “proper dress”, code words for “slightly nicer clothing” than most Keys eateries. Review their web site and plan accordingly if you want to include that port-of-call.
Shorts: Two pairs should be sufficient, but you may feel more comfortable with three. I can almost guarantee that you won’t need the 3rd pair, but it’s up to you. If you are more comfortable in a casual sun-dress than shorts, two of these should be sufficient too.
Bathing Suit: Most people get by with just one. You’ll likely be in a bathing suit much of the time so bring a couple if you would like. Barefoot has a fresh water deck shower where you can rinse yourself and suit after swimming in the salt water. It will stay clean and ready to use the entire week.
Beach Towel: Recommended 1, we provide a limited quantity for your use.
Shoes: 1 pair comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions. While on the boat, we are almost always barefoot, but if you prefer to wear shoes on deck, they must be white-soled, rubber or other non-skid soled shoes/sandals. To save space, plan to wear the shoes that you wore on the trip getting here during your shore excursions. No dark-soled shoes are permitted to be worn on the boat, and you’ll find that most time, barefoot is just fine.
Under Clothes: Again, you’ll likely be in a bathing suit most of the time. Bring what you feel comfortable with.
Camera/Video Equipment, Cell Phones: You will have access to 110 plugs (regular house outlets) for charging, even while out sailing or at anchor. I HIGHLY recommend an underwater case for your camera, or at least buy several of the disposable underwater cameras (they actually work far better than I first expected). If you bring a digital camera, you may want to bring an extra storage card – if you take the camera under water, you’ll take lots and lots of photos! (And, it’s really frustrating when suddenly your camera decides that it doesn’t like the card that’s it’s been using!)
Snorkel/SCUBA Equipment: Please bring your own snorkel equipment if you have it. The fit will be much better. I keep a small supply of masks, snorkels, and fins on the boat in case you have a gear failure, but not enough for each guest. As for SCUBA, Barefoot is not set up for tanks, air supply, and the associated equipment. My good friends Captain Denny and Captain Holley on the Conch Pearl specialize in SCUBA live-aboard charters. Contact them through their web-site at www.schoonerconchpearl.com.
Toilet Articles: Bring your toothbrush and paste, and any other toilet articles that you use. Sorry, but blow dryers won’t work away from the dock. You can use one on nights we are docked and plugged in to the shore power.
Medications, Glasses, Contacts, Etc.: It will take us several hours to reach a dock with access to shopping if necessary, so plan to bring with you anything that you will need. Bring spares of glasses/contacts – if something goes overboard, it is likely to be lost for good. The boat is equipped with a refrigerator, so any medications that require it can be refrigerated. Make sure to bring at least one fresh inhaler if you are asthmatic, and at least one EpiPen if you have allergies. Jellyfish stings happen occasionally, and are usually mild and may cause localized discomfort for a very short time (usually less than 30 minutes). However, if you are allergic to bee stings, it is possible that you could react to a Jellyfish sting with similar symptoms. Be prepared if this is an issue and you plan to go in the water.
DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING:
Barefoot is a drug-free zone. NO ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE PERMITTED. If illegal drugs are found in your possession or were determined to have been brought aboard by you, you will be put ashore at the closest dock and the trip will be terminated with no refund. Even personal use quantities of illegal drugs are not permitted on boats. If as little as one illegal leaf or pill is found aboard Barefoot, I can lose my captain’s license and my boat can be impounded. This is serious business. Barefoot is my livelihood AND MY HOME. There is no “grey area” here or a “maybe just a little bit”. Don’t do it.
Do NOT bring any firearms. The Florida Keys are a very safe sailing area, and there is VERY little tourist-involved crime. Many boats do carry fire arms; I choose not to do so aboard Barefoot.
I highly recommend that you leave any expensive jewelry at home. Too easily things fall overboard, and it would be a shame to lose something of value. Sail Barefoot can not be responsible for loss of anything over the side, so please, don’t bring it.
Q: Should we expect this to be like a small cruise ship trip?
A: Oh, this is way better!! Really! In many ways this is not like a small cruise ship. On Barefoot, there won’t be any lines to stand in, no one hogging the deck chairs (well, if they are, you brought the guy! Kick him out!), no little cruise-line-owned island where you have to buy their drinks and souvenirs, no “private parties” taking up the best lounge on the ship, and no itinerary determined by someone in a cubicle in Seattle. How else is a trip on Barefoot better than a cruise ship? We will be out on the water doing what YOU want to do. We will visit beautiful ports of call that YOU choose. We’ll spend as much time someplace as YOU want. YOU can participate in the operation of the vessel. And all the while, you’ll be eating much like you would on a luxury liner. I strive to give my guests a trip that will make an impression to last a lifetime. You will help to make the trip even more special by letting me know what you expect out of the trip ahead of time, and as we go.
Q: Can we fish, do we need fishing licenses?
A: YES, you can fish and NO, you do NOT need to obtain a fishing license. My fishing license covers me and my guests while on charter. My license also covers lobsters if they are in season (Mini-Season: July 24-25, 2013, 2014 has not been posted as of today's update, and Regular Season: August 6th through March 31st each year.) I have two fishing poles on board, rigged as trolling lines, which we usually leave trailing behind. We also carry one casting pole, and several “Cuban Yo-Yo’s (spooled hand reels) as well as Lobster “tickle sticks” and nets. We always hope for a nice fresh Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Grouper, Mackerel, or Lobster to add to our menu! I can teach you how to catch Lobster or to fillet a fish if this is new to you. UPDATE: Lion-Fish have been found in the Keys. They are an invasive species and it is open season on them, no matter the size or time of year. They have a delicious, white, flakey meat when properly cleaned. If Lion-Fish hunting interests you, I will explain the methods required to ensure that you do not get stung. Lion-Fish stings can be very painful, and may even require hospitalization. Those with allergies should avoid attempting to capture them.
Q: Where do we go during the trip?
A: This is part of the beauty of the Florida Keys, and Sail Barefoot in particular. We have several options, can plan the trip according to your preferences, and change the plan to suit changed interests. There are a couple of places that are fairly remote where you can pretend that you are on a deserted island that you have all to yourself. Or, we can spend most of the time sailing from reef to reef to go snorkeling. There are many interesting places to visit by dinghy. If you prefer the comfort of air conditioning and restaurant dinners, we can arrange to dock the boat every night, or if you prefer the quiet beauty of a calm anchorage, we can do that most nights. I will plan an exciting route if you aren’t sure what you want to do, so we can follow my suggestions or make your own requests.
Q: Will we have cell phone coverage?
A: Most likely you will have coverage (it's up to YOU who you choose to share this information with!). I use an IPhone with AT&T and have coverage 99% of the time. Check your carrier’s web site for coverage in the Florida Keys, but most services cover the areas we’ll visit.
Q: Can I bring a laptop/iPad/other devices?
A: You can if you like. We have 110 power through an inverter capable of charging electronics.
Q: Can we take showers on the boat?
A: Barefoot carries 160 gallons of water. We can all take deck showers after swimming, we have hot and cold water at the swim platform. We can return to shore to take on more water if necessary, so feel free to shower as you like.
Q: Is the boat air conditioned?
A: While out at anchor you’ll find that air is not usually needed as there is almost always a breeze on the water. While at the dock, where we are connected to shore power, the air conditioning will be on.
Q: Can we smoke and drink on board?
A: You are welcome to smoke out on deck at either the bow or stern, depending on the breeze. Smoking is not permitted in the cockpit and cabin areas. Remember to bring a supply as we will be offshore for a good part of the trip. As for drinks, basic items are complementary. Beer, wine, and an assortment of basic liquors and mixers are free and available for your consumption. You are also allowed and encouraged to BYOB. If you need to do so, I can provision special requests, at your expense, prior to departure.
Q: Can we snorkel or SCUBA Dive?
A: Snorkeling is one of the primary highlights of sailing in the Keys. We have the ONLY barrier reef system in all of North America, and the beauty and extent of our reefs are bettered only by the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, and the Belizean reefs in the Caribbean. As for equipment, please bring your own if you have them – you’ll get the best fit from your own. I keep a small supply of masks, snorkels, and fins on the boat, but your own is always better. As for SCUBA, Barefoot is not set up for tanks, air supply, and the associated equipment. My good friends Captain Denny and Captain Holley on the Conch Pearl specialize in SCUBA live-aboard charters. Contact them through their web-site at www.schoonerconchpearl.com.
Q: What if I’m allergic to/don’t like dog’s?
A: While I won’t be able to fully de-dog the boat, I will make arrangements for Girl to spend the trip with friends on shore. It’s not a problem at all, I understand that not everyone feels comfortable with or can be around dogs. While Barefoot is thoroughly cleaned prior to, during, and after each charter, if you are so EXTREMELY allergic that you will react even to places where dogs have been, I can recommend another charter captain to you.
Q: Can we or are we expected to help operate the boat?
A: You can participate in the operation of the boat as much or as little as you like. I highly encourage guest-participation, as you’ll find that it adds a dimension to your experience not available on all cruises. Barefoot is rigged so that I can single hand, but you’ll find that participating in sailing her will make the trip even more special. I teach basic sailing to teenagers during the summer charter season, and can show you the basics as well if you are interested. On the other hand, if you are not interested in helping operate the vessel at all, I will take care of everything. If you are interested in actual sailing lessons, and American Sailing Association courses, visit my friends Captain Harold and Captain Margie at www.island-dreamer.com. They offer multi-day ASA certification courses specializing in couples learning to sail. Their low-pressure, no yelling policy (just like Barefoot) puts unsure spouses quickly at ease.
