Adventure Island!

By Shayne Benowitz

I have to say, in the years I’ve worked at Fury, I’ve enjoyed celebrating major holidays–Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, New Year’s Day– by working on the water with the Fury crew. We’re a tight knit family, so a lot of times work doesn’t feel like work. On a special holiday or occasion, you want to be with the people who are closest to you, and in Key West that’s my Fury family.

Although this year I’m heading home to the Atlanta area to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, I have many fond Fury Key West Thanksgiving memories. I’ve worked the Thanksgiving Ultimate Adventure on both the catamarans and the parasail boats. Tomorrow, you can expect all the action-packed fun of snorkeling, parasailing, jet skiing, and so much more with the added bonus of a delicious Thanksgiving luncheon prepared by our very own Andy Saunders.

There’s always a feast for the staff inside the call center, and I’m thankful to have a break in the day to gobble up a bite to eat. Some of the Fury crew members are quite talented in the kitchen. Stephen’s famous for hosting a great Thanksgiving dinner and his rhubarb pie is outrageous!

Wherever you’re celebrating this Thanksgiving, I hope you’re surrounded by the ones you love. I’m happy I’ll be home with my family and I’ll definitely be Key West dreaming. What am I grateful for? Well, I have to say I’m extremely thankful that I get to spend almost every day on a boat in Key West. It’s a true dream life that I love sharing with our customers from near and far. So whether you join us on the Thanksgiving Day Ultimate Adventure or later in the year, I hope to see you on a Fury boat very soon!

Chuck gave him one of his Fury crew shirts, and when Dakota returned for the Commotion on the Ocean the next night he brought Chuck a signed copy of his GQ cover issue. Chuck reports that Dakota and his girlfriend had a great time on the Commotion!

“There’s times where I think we’ve screwed this world up a lot,” said Chuck. “Then you meet a guy like that and it makes you think we have a chance. It restores your faith in humanity.”

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Parasailing for only $5? Is this deal too good to be true?

By Shayne Benowitz

Is summer really turning to fall? How can this be? We’ve had an action packed summer, but sure enough it’s getting dark earlier, a cool breeze can be felt in the mornings and evenings, and all is well in Fury Land. In case you didn’t know, we’ve launched a number of new trips this season, most notably the relaxing Island Adventure and the enchanting Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Combo.

Of course, our mainstays the Ultimate Adventure, parasailing, and snorkeling are hard to pass up, especially for something new and untried, but I encourage you to go outside of your Key West vacation comfort zone and sample one of our new trips. They’re getting rave reviews and I personally can’t get enough of the Island Adventure!

To sweeten the deal, if you book either the Island Adventure or a Dolphin Watch Tour, we’ll throw in a parasailing excursion for only $5. That’s practically two trips for the price of one! Maybe you’ve never tried either, this is such an excellent low risk deal to sample the amazing water activities available to you in Key West.

Join us this fall on one of our trips and tell us which you liked better, that is if you can pick a favorite! See you soon!

Ballast Key on the way to Woman Key for kayaking.

by Shayne Benowitz

This is officially my new favorite Fury trip! If you’re dying for a beautiful and relaxing day on the water, you absolutely must experience the Island Adventure. Meredith and I hopped on board yesterday for the 3:30pm trip with Captain Anna and her crew Scott and Anthony along with eleven other passengers.

Lately, moon jellyfish have been abundant at the reef, which is not uncommon this time of year. I personally find the jellies enchanting to watch as they drift slowly with their purple and pink tentacles, but when there’s too many in the water they can definitely be a nuisance. No one wants to get stung! Our captains have gotten creative in finding alternative places to snorkel where there aren’t too many jellyfish.

Anna took us to Man Rock, which I’ve never been to before. Slightly west of Man Key, we anchored in a patch of sand that circled an outcropping of coral like a halo. Scott explained that Man Rock is practically off the charts, and since so few people know about it, the coral is extremely healthy and vibrant. The water was so inviting, I couldn’t wait to jump in and explore. We saw a few moon jellies when we first dropped anchor, but nothing to worry about.

Scott was right. The coral was gorgeous with large outcroppings and interesting brain corals and sea fans. Everything was very bright yellow-green. I swam around and saw lots of large yellowtail snappers, a few groupers, and sergeant majors. I came to a hidden cave and decided to swim close and see if anything was lurking underneath. Sure enough, a giant nurse shark, probably six to eight feet long, was snoozing on the sea floor. I called Meredith and Anthony over to come check it out, and a lot of our passengers got to see it too. Very exciting!

Shayne & Meredith on the Cruzan Cat.

We snorkeled a little longer and then got back on the boat to head out towards Woman Key in the Gulf. Meredith and I sat on the bench at the bow and enjoyed a cold Corona while we watched the mangrove islands approaching. We past Ballast Key, which actually has a private home and dock twelve miles offshore surrounded by nothing but uninhabited mangroves–such a cool sight!

We anchored outside of Woman Key and the crew launched kayaks. We paddled to a sandbar offshore and waded around in the crystal clear water. One passenger immediately found a conch shell and Scott waded around to find a sea biscuit, a tiny sea cucumber, and other sea shells. Meredith and I paddled around and spotted what I thought was a conch shell, but Scott explained that it was a welch.

The beautiful sunset.

Next, we were off on another kayak paddle towards the mangroves where we found shade. Scott explained exactly how these amazing trees survive in the saltwater and the integral role they play in our ecosystem. After a little more relaxation at the sandbar, it was time to paddle back to the boat. Sandwiches, chips & salsa, and fresh fruit waited along with more cold drinks.

We cruised back towards the channel just in time to catch the sun sink into the ocean between Sunset Key and Christmas Tree Island. It was absolutely beautiful. There is something about a day spent on the water concluded by a sunset that makes everything feel right in the world. We hope you can experience this feeling with us the next time you’re in Key West.

By Shayne Benowitz

If you happen to be in a West Marine or a Barnes & Noble this month, and you’re daydreaming about getting out on the water with Fury, scan the magazine racks for August’s issue of Multihulls Quarterly. You’ll find a feature article on Fury by Yours Truly!

I had the opportunity to attend the Miami Boat Show this year and spend an afternoon sailing on a gorgeous Benetau 43 in Biscayne Bay. I’m a Fury Girl at heart, but I am thrilled at any opportunity to get offshore on a boat, especially a sailing yacht. On board was the publisher for Blue Water Sailing Media, which publishes Blue Water Sailing Magazine and Multihulls Quarterly. We got to talking and I told him I was a writer and a boating enthusiast, and he put me in touch with the magazine’s managing editor. I pitched her a few ideas, and in addition to a couple of other articles, she asked me to write a feature on Fury.

I was thrilled at the opportunity. Of course, I know the ends and outs of Fury pretty well, but there was still some research to do. I interviewed the big boss men Scott and Marius, as well as Captain Chuck, and shipbuilder Randy Hinojosa. I wanted to tell the story of Fury’s growth since Scott took the reigns around the summer of 2005 when we were hit by the big storms. It was kind of a walk down memory lane talking with Scott and Marius about growing the fleet and developing our signature trips like the Ultimate Adventure and the Commotion on the Ocean.

Captain Chuck and Randy gave me all the details on the specs and the evolution of the Fury catamaran design. And of course, I couldn’t leave out what makes Key West such an ideal destination for boating, the beauty of the coral reef, which is the heart and soul of our daily operation.

It was an honor to write the article and it made me that much more proud of where we’ve been and where we’re going at Fury. If you’re a true Fury fan, you might find this article on our recent history interesting. If you pick up a copy, let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter. Or just get down to Key West and tell us on the way to the reef!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. For more follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Justin hangin' onto the wibit!

by Shayne Benowitz

When the catamaran pulls up to Adventure Island after a morning snorkeling at the reef, there’s always a moment of anticipation. The jet skis are lined up glistening in the sun, the iceberg is waiting to be scaled, and the water trampoline is ripe for bouncing. The parasail crew is standing by on their boats and kayaks are set up ready to be launched. Now, you’ve got one more thing to look forward to: The Wibit!

This brand new toy has never before been seen in Key West waters and Fury guests, as well as the crew, are loving it! The four sides offer countless ways to play around. One side to climb up, two sides to slide down, and another to take a plunge into the refreshing waters of the Gulf.

Fun on the wibit!

It didn’t take long after setting up the wibit for a fan picture to show up on our Facebook wall. Az H Ar submitted an awesome pic with him and two of his friends sitting at the top. Our Facebook photo contest is still going strong and I love looking at the awesome pictures our fans send in every day. They spark such a great dialogue! If you ever find yourself Key West dreamin’, visit our Facebook page and these pix should be the cure.

The Ultimate Adventure was already an awesome day on the water. The wibit’s just the newest cherry on top! See you on the water soon!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crew member and freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz

Monica Govey's award-winning photo!

By Shayne Benowitz

I have to say, our Facebook page has gotten to be so much fun now that we’ve got our Photo Contest going. We’ve gotten hundreds of contestants sending us pictures daily that totally capture the fun and the beauty of Key West and Fury!

Each month a different winner is selected to rule our Facebook profile picture, plus they’re entered to win a prize pack that includes the Ultimate Adventure, a sunset sail, and accommodations for two! For complete details, to enter, and to vote for your fave pix, go to our Facebook page and join the fun. You’ll be Key West dreamin’ in no time!

Mariana Fernandez's award-winning photo!

Every month, I like to celebrate the contest winners on the blog. It’s been so busy lately that this time around, I’m giving shout-outs to both May’s winner Mariana Fernandez and June’s winner Monica Govey. I love chatting with our fans on the boats, and it’s so cool that we can extend the conversation via Facebook and emails!

Mariana made the trip to Key West from Miami with her husband Javier to celebrate her 28^th birthday last September. They went snorkeling with us during their trip, and this is what Mariana had to say, “The first impression we had as we descended into the water and glanced below was: ‘OMG!! IT’S SUPER DEEP!!!!’ Then, little by little, we lost the fear and before we knew it we were like two fish in the sea, swimming around, staring at the unknown world that was just beneath us!”

Mariana with her husband Javier.

She says they absolutely fell in love with Key West’s landscape and the kindness of the people. They are dying to get back to give parasailing a try and this photo contest is their chance! I have to say, she’s doing an awesome job and has rallied 161 people to “like” her photo!

Monica with her mom in Key West.

Monica hails from Rhode Island and has made the trip to Key West in 2006, 2007, and 2008! She joined us on the Commotion on the Ocean sunset sail with her parents in 2008 and she’s dying to get back for a trip with her girlfriends. Monica says the feeling she gets being in Key West makes her want to pack her bags and start a new life down here. Hey, Monica, I know the feeling and we’d love to have you! She says her mom absolutely loved the endless margaritas, dancing to the band, and the people watching aboard the Commotion.

Like I said, I just love hearing people’s Key West stories. There is something very special about our little island. Let’s keep the conversation going! Take a look at our facebook page, send us your pix, and post your memories. I can’t wait to read all about them!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember, freelance writer, and social media specialist. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Meredith on Woman Key.

By Shayne Benowitz

I am very excited to share with you a brand new trip! You may or may not know, but we’ve recently acquired three small catamarans and we’re proud to present three new boutique eco-trips to our water sports menu! Today, I’m going to give you the scoop on the brand new Island Adventure. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Meredith and I hopped on board the Cruzan Cat, a 42’ power catamaran with seating at the bow, inside a covered cabin, and aft. The Cruzan Cat holds 30 passengers max, and the day Meredith and I went there were only about ten people on board. It’s a completely different vibe than the action-packed Ultimate Adventure. Think laid back and completely personalized. By the end of the trip, I felt like I knew everyone’s life story!

The iconic Sand Key Lighthouse.

Captain Ames was at the helm with his mate Scott who has a background in marine biology. He did an awesome job teaching everyone about the unique ecosystems we were about to discover first hand. Ames charted a course south to the reef and Sand Key Lighthouse.

In all the years I’ve lived in Key West and worked at Fury, I still get a thrill snorkeling our reef. It was absolutely lush and vibrant that afternoon. One of the first things I saw was a conch shell nestled in the coral rock. There were the requisite yellowtail snappers, parrotfish (my favorite!), sergeant majors, and blue tang, and also some beautiful angel and butterfly fish.  I was swimming through a canyon with an outcropping of coral in the middle when I spotted a giant lobster tapping around on the ocean floor. So cool! I dove down to get a closer look, and sure enough, I spotted another one!

We hopped back on the boat and Ames cruised out to the Gulf of Mexico’s sand flats and mangrove islands referred to as the backcountry. The backcountry is the nesting ground for thousands of species of juvenile fish and birds. It’s a very unique and important ecosystem in the Florida Keys. We dropped anchor near Woman Key, which is basically an enormous sandbar island in the middle of the ocean.

Time to go kayaking!

Ames gave us a quick kayaking lesson and then launched us into the water with Scott as our guide. At first, it seemed a little choppy, but once Meredith and I were in our kayak it was smooth sailing. We paddled out to Woman Key and beached our kayaks on the sand where we lingered and floated in the shallow, warm water. We discovered seashells, coral rocks, sea sponges, turtle grass, and mangrove pods. There was an interesting driftwood sculpture decorated with found objects like lobster traps and buoys on the shore. One gentleman from San Antonio, who was in town with his wife for a wedding, discovered a giant sea biscuit. That was the find of the day! Oh yeah, and Scott packed a cooler full of Coronas for us to sip on while we splashed around and chatted.

A sea biscuit found on Woman Key.

Eventually, Ames called us back to the boat, although no one wanted to leave. A tasty spread of sandwiches awaited, though! We snacked away and cruised through the Gulf as the sun sank into the ocean. Yeah, that’s what I call paradise!

Sunset!

Island Adventure 411:

Departure times at 9:30am & 3:30pm (includes sunset)

4 ½ hour trip: Snorkel the reef; kayak the Gulf.

Sandwiches, fresh fruit, & snacks served.

Coronas-a-plenty!

What are you waiting for?

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember, a freelance writer, and a social media specialist. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Fury Girl with Paul & Young Ron at the party.

By Shayne Benowitz

Cinco de Mayo! It’s a holiday I’ve always liked—mostly because I love Mexican food and margaritas—but I’ve rarely been able to get people on board to celebrate. Sometimes it’s just hard to throw a midweek fiesta. But this year was different.

I made the trek to Fort Lauderdale for the BIG 105.9 Paul & Young Ron Cinco de Social party at Bokamper’s Bar & Grill. It was definitely a Cinco de Mayo party, but it was also the kick-off party for the Paul & Young Ron Corona Key West Come Along May 20^th-22^nd.

A partygoer in the sombrero contest with Paul & Young Ron.

There were Corona specials all night long, a piñata full of prizes like concert tickets, and a sombrero contest. The grand finale was a drawing for an all expenses paid trip to Key West for the Come Along party the weekend of May 20^th.

Paul & Young Ron listeners save!

Of course, at Fury we can’t resist a good party, so we had to join in the festivities. We’re offering 25% off to Paul & Young Ron listeners if you book a trip with us before May 22. We’re looking forward to having these hilarious DJs in town for their show, and we think the rest of South Florida should come along with them!

Shayne Benowitz is a freelance writer and Fury crewmember. Follow her on Twitter @ShayneBenowitz.

Fury Girl in action at Blue Heaven.

By Shayne Benowitz

The email came in Thursday morning from Comcast’s Keys Information Station: “Are you available this weekend to be our host for the Key West Food & Wine Festival?” I had to think fast.

I decided to get my shifts covered, give it a go, and eat, drink, and be merry in front of the camera all weekend long. I have some performing/on-camera experience, and I’ve definitely tuned into channel 5 and wondered how I could get one of those gigs. I have to admit, it was kind of a dream job.

Bess & Harry Truman greeting attendees at the Little White House.

I arrived to the Truman Little White House Friday evening for the Grand Wine Tasting. It was absolute bacchanalia! Harry and Bess Truman directed us to their special double barrel bourbon whiskey (apparently that was Truman’s drink of choice). The front yard was lined with tables full of wine, bread and cheese, and canapés. I had a wonderful time interviewing winemakers and revelers alike, and of course sampling all there was to offer!

We moved on to Azur’s Spanish-themed street party next. They had amazing food on the grill such as giant prawns, sausages, and quail, as well as a delectable Mediterranean spread. The highlight was a giant wine cask to pour your drinks from!

Saturday afternoon was coconut bowling at Blue Heaven. The vibe was Key West laid back and cool for this quirky sport. There were coconut cocktails and a coconut cook-off to raise money for the Wesley House. Fantasy Fest royalty abounded, and I interviewed the reigning king and a former queen.

Coconut bowling at Blue Heaven.

I took a quick nap and then hit Duval Uncorked. We visited bars, inns, and galleries, all pouring wine and specialty cocktails. The Tropical Garden Inn featured a pastry chef with champagne infused cheesecake. It was absolutely decadent!

The grand finale was Sunday night at the Westin Resort & Marina for the premiere Master Chefs Classic, a fundraiser for the Marc House. It was nice to be in familiar Fury territory! We interviewed a few chefs, and then grabbed a wine glass and plate to dig in. I have to say, Latitudes at Sunset Key won the blue ribbon in my book. They had an amazing tuna amuse bouche, wagyu beef, and a guava pot de crème with blood orange caviar. The flavors and their presentation were superlative.

Overall, it was such a fun weekend with lots of wine, food, and conversations! The footage should be up and running on channel 5 within a few weeks, and will be running throughout the year from Key West to Key Largo, so next time you’re in town, tune in and look for me! Or, just swing by the Westin and find me on the docks before your next big water adventure with Fury!

Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer. For more travel stories visit her at web.me.com/shaynebeth and follow her at twitter.com/ShayneBenowitz.