Finding Our People at Blackfin Marina – Marathon, Florida

Blackfin Marina has a Laid-back, Friendly Atmosphere

If you had a doubt about how much fun cruisers enjoy while boating, let’s put that notion to rest. Spending a month at Blackfin Marina and Resort in Marathon (Florida Keys), provides many social activities. Kismet has migrated to this hot spot during winter while escaping the frigid cold of Northern Michigan. We come here to hang out with other boaters who share a love of the Keys.

Sometimes we tow our boat south to Marathon and put her in at the public boat launch on the Florida Bay side of the island. Or, we cruise from the west coast of Florida, typically from Fort Myers. We’ll go on the Okeechobee Waterway to the east coast, before pointing our bow south to the Keys.

“We’re chipping in to buy lobster, give us a twenty and bring a salad”

Once settled in our slip at Blackfin Marina and Resort, we step off the boat and social interactions are a given. “Hey, join us for ‘Happy Hour’ tonight” or “We’re chipping in to buy lobster, give us a twenty and bring a salad” or “Let’s hop in our truck and drive down to Key West for the afternoon.” AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association) and MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners’ Association) put on reunions in Marathon. During these events, we often get to reunite with boaters we’ve traveled with on our cruising adventures.

We’ve been going to Blackfin Marina for several years now. Interesting how we’ve become part of that community. Half of the boats in the marina call Blackfin home year-round. The other half are transients who come for a season or a month or two. Amazing how many people, from the year-rounders, the transients, and the Loopers we’ve met over the years, have settled into various marinas in the area. Ranger Tug owners are gaining a presence in the area as they often migrate to spots together. One marina over, Banana Bay, is another popular marina on the Florida Bay side of Marathon. Many Gold Loopers settle here after completing their “Loop.”

We look forward to our 2019 stay in Marathon. Every year brings another level of connectivity to the boating community we love. Whether it be the Ranger Tugs group, the Looper group, or the Blackfin group, it’s our people and always a fun time.

Our first get-together on the point was a “Bring Something to Grill and a Side Dish” affair.

Farmer’s Market (above) is within walking distance of Blackfin Marina and Resort.

This was one of those nights when some of the Ranger Tug owners invited everyone to share their catch from a fishing expedition the previous day. We gathered onshore in front of our boats, side dishes at the ready while the cooks fried up a huge batch of fish for consumption.

It’s Not a Vacation, It’s a Lifestyle!

Aside from the social opportunities, the support and help boaters share are abundant. We can’t speak for other cruisers, but it has been our experience, you can’t cruise and sit on the beach, day after day. It’s not a vacation, it’s a lifestyle! Some can, but many can’t. So, on Kismet at least, boat projects are in full swing most days in the marina. There’s always something to add, fix or improve on a boat. I know my Jim is that way, and so am I. We’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then work before we hit the pool, exercise, or run errands. It’s amazing how busy we can be during the day just doing those things.

While on the boat, we live outside most of the time, at the least our doors and windows are open to the elements. We’ve even continued this practice at our home in Traverse City. Doors and windows wide open, sometimes the bugs fly in one door and out the other. Guess after all the boating we’ve done, over the years, it’s hard being closed in with stale air.

Our friends had a month-long 50th-anniversary celebration, this is only one of the cakes (above) they received.

Lobster night on the point with our Ranger Tug buddies was a feast and a lot of fun.

Every winter there is a Sunset Celebration for past and present Loopers, this year it was held at Banana Bay Marina.