Marina Review--Marathon Marina

Marathon Marina is the very first marina on the ocean side when you pull into Boot Key Harbor.  It recently changed ownership and they are dumping a lot of money into the marina and attached boatyard.  The facilities are fantastic.  They are cleaning the place up nicely.

The link above will take you to their site that hasn't been quite updated yet. The restaurant is now Lazy Days South and is run by an experienced restaurant couple that has the original Lazy Days in Islamorada.  They also have an absolutely kick ass Happy Hour.  We proceeded to eat ourselves stupid there.  I figgered I burned off enough calories trying to stay warm.

The marina has also cleaned up and painted and they are adding Tiki Huts throughout the property for social gatherings.  They've also purchased a new 75T travel lift, and they have WiFi although we weren't able to get on it.

(Side Note:  We purchased a pay as you go Wifi USB connection from Radio Shack and it's totally worth it. Especially if you need to get on the internet for weather checks, info, or if you happened to be married to a small business owner.....)

They have a nice fuel dock that offers discounts if you stay at the marina and the fuel dock also has pump out.  They are working on fixing the slips so that each slip with have pump out connection also, the slip behind us was working, but ours wasn't.  They just bring the hose to you.

All in all, we were quite impressed and it will be on our list of marinas. Very easy to access from Oceanside. There's a West Marine and convenience stores within walking distance.  Very well maintained boatyard.  Employees are absolutely fantastic--including the fuel dock lady that kept Compy Comp from running aground in the approaching channel.

You can also walk to the Seven Mile Bridge, and the visitor's center has a little tourist train that will take you out to Pigeon Key where the railroad workers for the Flagler railroad used to camp/live.

Ahhhh--Salve for the frozen sailor's soul.
The other side says 1/2 off beer, house wine, well drinks.
$2 off everything else.  

Even HemiD was glad to be tucked away for a bit.

The brand new travel lift.

Fuel Dock and Pump Out

Nice Clean Boat Yard

One of the new Tiki hut social areas

Beginning of the Seven Mile Bridge
New Bridge is on the left, the old bridge (built on the remains of the railroad)
is now open for pedestrian/bike traffic to Pigeon Key

Resident Mooch

Christmas in the Keys