Light air day on the Flats

This winter has had a windy start,

yesterday I was able to get out to enjoy some time Back Country on the Flats.

That is some of the best time in the Keys, fishing, navigating the waters between Keys and shoals and enjoying the natural surroundings.

 

 

 

Fishing a Cut early in the morning.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS, TO ALL, FROM THE FLORIDA KEYS

 

 

AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR !

THE BEST KEYS SUNSET OF 2013

WE WERE IN AWE OF THIS SUNSET, WHICH LASTED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR IN TOTAL.

 

NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS NATURAL BEAUTY, JUST ENJOY THE PICTURES.

 

 

 



SMOKING FISH IN THE KEYS

WHEN YOU RUN INTO A GOOD DAY OF FISHING FOR SPANISH MACKEREL, ONLY ONE THING TO DO, SMOKE'M

 

 

 

I have always been fond of smoked fish,smoked Whiting, White Fish,Spanish Mackerel Etc. So when i came into about twenty plus lbs. the urge came out to smoke the fillets. Now, these weren't a bunch of skinny under nourished fish, these were the real deal, big fat and the prime source for smoking fillets.

 

The next chore was to find a smoker worthy of the wonderful fish we catch down here in the Fl. Keys. After doing some research, I found the perfect one at the Bass Pro Shop online catalogue. It is called the Master Built Extra Wide Elite. This smoker might be a little big for the beginning smoker, it filled the bill for me. After having it shipped to the closest retail store, with free shipping, I picked it up and began the assembly. Not too bad, it took about forty minutes to assemble. Once it was ready to go I had to season the unit to get rid of any residue that may have been left on the material during manufacture. With the curing done i went straight to the fillets, first brining them in a solution of kosher salt, brown sugar, and water,for about eight hours.

 

The next day the fillets, a test batch went into the smoker, which was set at 225 degrees, two hours later, perfect smoked fish. The fish came out with a wonderful smoke flavor and extremely moist, success. Two days later the smoker was fired up once more and fifteen lbs. were brined and smoked,again a great success. To this date everyone that has tried them rave about the apple wood aroma, flavor and  moistness. Next up, some racks of baby back ribs, I am looking forward to see how they turn out, although I don't eat much meat, I love to put a smile on the faces of others.

 

Here are some pictures of my first two efforts.

 

The Smoker

First test batch, done, delicious

Second batch brined and ready for the smoker

Loading the smoker

Half way through the process,already getting some color

Apple wood chips at the ready, soak them so that the don't ignite but rather give off large amounts of smoke

Finished product cooling off

Mahogany goodness

No bad reviews yet

Time for a  taste test.

 

 



UPPER KEYS SAILING CLUB 2014 CATBOAT REGATTA

HERE IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE UPPER KEYS SAILING CLUB CATBOAT REGATTA.

 

*

February 14-17

*

All Sizes and

Makes of Catboats

are Welcome!

*

Catboat Sailors

welcome with or

without their boats

Thurs:

Boat Sign-in & Staging

Fri:

Warm winter sailing in

Florida Bay; Tropical Happy

Hour

Sat:

Sailing in Everglades

National Park; Dinner

Sun:

Informal Racing &

Awards Ceremony

Key Largo Catboat

upperkeyssailingclub.com

Registration & More Info, AhoyDavy@gmail.com or 703.850.6654

Light Breakfast & Lunch Served Daily.

 

 



ANOTHER GREAT SAIL IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

YESTERDAY FOUND ME BACK ON THE BAY

 

I TOOK SEVERAL VIDEOS WHICH I HAVE SHARED WITH BLOGGER BUDDIES, THIS ONE JUST SHOWS THE GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR SAILING HERE IN THE KEYS, BAY SIDE. THE CRUISING GROUNDS ARE UN-SURPASSED FOR SMALL SHALLOW CRAFT LIKE MINE. THE MARSHALL SANDERLING IS PERFECT FOR THESE CONDITIONS.

 

 

 

Marshall Sanderling dancing on the waters of Florida Bay



VIDEO SHOUT OUT TO IBARAKI

Hello from Florida Bay to Ibaraki, Japan

"Sweet Blusette" Blogger

 

 

 

 

 

 



December Seventh Sail

Great Sail Today Out To Nest Key And Beyond

 

My friend Roland and I left the harbor today at 2:30 for a sail out to one of our favorite Keys in the Everglades National Park. The wind was perfect for our course out and back, 12Kts out of the East, moderate sea and one reef to make the trip relaxing.

 

As usual, there were no other boats in sight, the Bay was ours. Heading out Roland and I split up and each took our own heading, Roland taking a more downwind course to begin with while I opted to stay on the wind. Of course, by the time we reached Nest Key we were both  dead even,  our two boats are pretty evenly matched, however, Roland does better going to windward while I dominate off the wind. It's all part of the routine, the cat and mouse game is fun and makes each sail interesting.

 

We arrived back at the dock shortly after sunset and were happy that we hooked up for another great sail. Several pictures and videos are included for your enjoyment.

 

Roland captured this photo of me aboard my Catboat PUFFIN

Add caption

Heading out to Nest Key

View from IBIS

Relaxing at the helm

Close quarters



Heading home

Sailing through Chair Cut

Close enough?