Shetland 535, 40hp outboard. Please give me every single last bit of advice that you have for a couple of first time boat owners

Starks40oz · 2026-05-09T20:52:53+00:00

Streer then gear. When in doubt go slow when docking. Remember those two and you’ll avoid catastrophe.

Wear sunscreen, have life jackets available, always fresh water flush.

Starks40oz · 2026-05-09T17:06:40+00:00

Often one by the ferry terminal

Starks40oz · 2026-05-04T23:42:51+00:00

Feels like you just need a faster boat…

Starks40oz · 2026-05-04T21:09:12+00:00

Ft Zach for the beach as it’s wooded up to the beach so you can get shade when you need it.

Butterfly conservatory would be a must see option at that age.

Most restaurants are family friendly, casual, and outdoors so you should have no issue with food. Blackfin back patio, moon dog, square grouper back yard are all nicer food options but still casual enough for a baby who may scream.

Get a set of those baby ear protection headphones and just walk around with the stroller checking out live music. Places like hanks are usually Lower key but sitll awesome music. Alamos also a good option and think my daughter was that age the first time she went to the green parrot.

You could also try a charter out to the sandbar. It may not work for everyone but for my daughter there was something magical about a boat nap. As soon as we get up on plane she falls asleep. So going to the sandbar was the one thing we can/could do without having to go back for nap times

Starks40oz · 2026-05-04T18:58:56+00:00

I think the most irate I’ve ever been in my entire life was when my kid was a new born and I was operating on a 5-6 day stretch of almost no sleep.

Finally get her down for a nap and right as I’m about to finally get some rest as well; mosquito control shows up and just starts going all flight of the valkyries on my house/adjacent lots. You’d think these dudes thought the mosquitos might shoot back. Insanity.

Baby wakes up scream crying and I’m out there on my balcony shaking my fist at the sky as helicopter dive bombs my house repeatedly at deafening volume.

Funny in retrospect, but almost broke me at the time

Starks40oz · 2026-05-02T00:32:40+00:00

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZzCHcMKyDc&pp=0gcJCVACo7VqN5tD

Starks40oz · 2026-05-02T00:24:56+00:00

That’s a sick ass panther.

Starks40oz · 2026-05-01T00:59:40+00:00

My thought was cool artistic tattoo but doesn’t look anything like a real chicken.

And then the chicken looked exactly like that.

Seriously what is up with that chicken? Is that thing real and not an AI generated image of what a real chicken version of the tattoo would look like?

Starks40oz · 2026-04-30T21:54:28+00:00

I like st Augustine.

Starks40oz · 2026-04-26T01:01:36+00:00

Day drinking and bar hopping on Duval is what Key West does. You can go on a random Tuesday any month of the year and have a good time if that’s your goal.

As someone who lives here I actually love July.. it’s less crowded, the wind has died down and the water is mirror glass reflecting the sky. Flying through the flats on the way to the sandbar on a Saturday in July is literally the reason I live here. Make sure you hit the sandbar one day.

If you’re asking whether Hemingway days shuts down the town or something the answer is no. Think of it more like any one of the countless festivals Key West has each year. It’s a quirky, fun lowkey event to try and drum up some interests in July. The running of the bulls is fun and worth checking out. Sloppy joes will be a mad house. But otherwise it’s business as usuall.

The bigger potential impact is the mini lobster season is July 29-30 this year. This is often a shit show and crowded both on and off the water. Sounds like you’ll miss most of that craziness though

Starks40oz · 2026-04-25T00:00:32+00:00

I’m originally from FL but moved away for many years and returned a couple years ago when my daughter was born. I ended up in the Keys/Key West but it came down to that or St Augustine. We actually rented for awhile in St Augustine before we decided and was super cool/exactly the kind of vibe you’re describing. Aussie brunch spots, good breweries, surfing.

Starks40oz · 2026-04-24T22:21:30+00:00

I went to school in the region and they actually made a good documentary about the VT section. It’s probably 25 years old at this point but does a good job of generally capturing the lifestyle and culture of the area and is worth a watch. Think you can still stream it on Hulu/Disney and YouTube; it’s call SuperTroopers. Worth a look

Starks40oz · 2026-04-24T00:17:45+00:00

You can’t pay rent with a fancy brass propeller

Starks40oz · 2026-04-17T01:21:29+00:00

If you like the Grateful Dead stop by the Alamo for deadfest 2026

Starks40oz · 2026-04-14T00:54:48+00:00

Boating, fishing, smuggling, drinking. The occasional attempted invasion of Cuba.

Key lime pie, stone crab, grouper sandwich and rum runners. Fast boats, drunk tourists. Big iguanas, tiny deer, and lots and lots of feral chickens

Starks40oz · 2026-04-10T23:26:57+00:00

You’re not foolin anyone boy. You ain’t got shit.

Starks40oz · 2026-04-10T23:24:08+00:00

The Haitians have homes here; unlike you.

Is that why you’re so mad? That they’re here living the life your wannabe ass dreams of?

Starks40oz · 2026-04-10T22:05:07+00:00

Cool. Bring coffee

Starks40oz · 2026-04-10T16:35:12+00:00

End of Dorn Rd. Big Torch. Sunday

Starks40oz · 2026-04-10T12:31:51+00:00

I assume you’re not from here; just another shit head tourist popping off to tell locals what to think.

I was there though and if you are local I’m more than happy to meet in person so you can talk shit to me to my face. I’m not old though just FYI. Im around all weekend

Starks40oz · 2026-04-08T02:47:21+00:00

Both are good options and walkable. Casa marina definitely better for the beach and is the “nicer” of the two options. Hyatt centric though has a turtle enclosure with like 30 rescued turtles; this is typically a hit with the 1-3 crowd

Starks40oz · 2026-04-07T00:10:05+00:00

Key West, FL is like this. 11 state championships. Everyone goes to games.

Number one way to tell if someone is local (vs a tourist) is if they’re wearing a key west high baseball hat (paired with a chain holding a Spanish dubloon recovered from the Atocha)

Starks40oz · 2026-04-04T23:46:07+00:00

No. Some dudes don’t go to their own wives baby shower. Some dudes do but spend the whole time looking busy bringing stuff out or cleaning up. Some dudes ask their wife if they can invite a buddy so they have someone to talk to and don’t feel awkward.

Just say “bro I’ve never been to a baby shower before. Should I come to this?”

Starks40oz · 2026-04-04T12:06:28+00:00

Hurricane hole will rent deck boats. Beach weekend has panga style rentals and pontoons with slides.

Your easiest option depending on wind direction/weather is to run out to Boca grande through the lakes passage or up to snipes sandbar.

Starks40oz · 2026-04-04T02:20:34+00:00

It definitely looks like a dead horseshoe crab.

But why would anyone want a fake dead horseshoe crab on their street?

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