From the archives: This post looks back at the business and boat in winter/spring 2013. The ranking and equipment details are historical.
Growing the business and improving the boat
I started Florida Keys Reel Adventures in December 2011, and by the end of 2012, the business and boat had grown more quickly than I expected. Customer reviews helped put the business among the top three on TripAdvisor in under a year. I’m grateful to everyone who came aboard and took the time to share their experience. That early support encouraged me to keep improving the trips for new and returning guests.
The smaller boat had been sold, and my 25-foot Sea Cat became my main boat. It had changed a lot since I bought it less than a year earlier. Windy days and a busy schedule meant I hadn’t shared many photos of the upgrades yet, so here’s a look at what was new for 2013.
New features for 2013
I added a free-fall windlass and pulpit for quicker, more precise anchoring; more storage for wet and dry gear; and a Sony stereo for guests’ music. The boat also had an oversized custom T-top with 18-foot outriggers, a full isinglass enclosure with side wings, a 50-gallon livewell and leaning post, and a Lowrance HDS 10 fish finder. Those were some of the major additions at the time, with more improvements planned.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this business possible. The work has been demanding, but sharing the water with good people and making adventures together has made it deeply rewarding.
The original post included a link to the Florida Keys Reel Adventures TripAdvisor listing.
If you’re planning a trip now, contact me to talk about current charter options.
