Finding an opportunity to add fun and excitement to someone’s vacation in the Florida Keys is something Brian and Elizabeth McCadie find purpose and passion in.
Brian McCadie is a long-time U.S. Coast Guard-licensed fishing charter captain out of Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada who was hit with inspiration, as he came up with the idea to create a unique glass bottom boat in a part of the Keys that is relatively untapped. His wife, Elizabeth, who has been with Robbie’s in various businesses with her husband, and in management, was excited about the idea as well.
After a lot of research and some time to build the new experience, the Transparensea has arrived at Robbie’s Marina — and customers couldn’t be more thrilled.
“There is nothing to do in Islamorada besides eat and drink after dark. Now we have an experience that people can do for a few hours after dark and include their family,” Brian McCadie said.
“And how beautiful it is to be underwater, but don’t want to get salty and wet. It’s something more to do,” added Elizabeth McCadie.
Brian McCadie said that it was roughly two years ago when they asked Michael Reckwerdt, Robbie’s owner, what he thought and for his blessing.
“First, we started shopping for a used boat but learned that the glass bottom boat industry is a unique small niche. It’s important to have a regular customer base, an attractive area where someone can see something cool in the water, and clear water,” Brian McCadie said. “Very few places have all of that, so very few boats are for sale, and those that do exist and are in decent shape make money, so they’re not for sale. Further, USCG-approved boats must be built (the keel) in the USA.”
“So when we started looking around, it was tough, and finally, one day, I did a random Google search, and Newton Boats popped up. (It’s a) family-owned boat builder in Louisiana, but they ship worldwide,” Brian McCadie continued.
This specialized boat has 16 window wells — 10 up front and six in the back. The boat is approved for 49 passengers, but they are keeping the number to 30 so it’s comfortable for all to see into the wells.
The 46-foot shaded open-air Transparensea is also equipped with Seakeeper, which dramatically aids boat stabilization and reduces seasickness, making the ride very comfortable. The boat also has a restroom.
Their daughters, Eva, age 9, and Haley, age 7, agree on their favorite part of the boat. “The wells and looking down at sharks, tarpon, coral, eels, turtles and blood worms,” Eva said.
Blood worms look cool at night and on specific moon cycles as they come up on the glass, which brings us to the very cool feature that McCadie had as an idea to put six lights on the bottom of the boat during the build process — offering night tours. It’s something not many other glass bottom boats do in the U.S. and, in general, is extremely rare.
“Newton Boats isn’t a lighting specialist, so I worked with my friend who is in the marine industry and settled on the lights,” Brian McCadie said. “I had Newton install them as they were building the boat. When we got the boat here and flipped the lights on, it was the moment of truth to see if they worked. We had no data to back it up, so it’s amazing how the night trips are — unbelievable.”
“The lights make such a difference in visibility, and the sea life is present — more sharks and turtles out. It’s a different experience, so great to do both and see the diversity of the Keys,” Elizabeth McCadie said.
The Transparensea crew is focused on the beauty of the Florida Keys and its marine life with each trip, including a narrated tour. The location they sail from, Robbie’s Marina, is rich in coral, and that area has less boating pressure, meaning there is a lot of marine life and coral. Some sites they may travel to are Cheeca Rocks, Caloosa Rocks and Alligator Reef. If it’s windy, they can go out in the bay. If you are traveling to the Florida Keys or live on the island chain, seeing another snapshot of the ecosystem is an excellent activity for anyone.
So far, it’s been an incredible experience for the McCadie family.
“It was important to us to be able to spend more time with our family and work together more, so one of the more obvious options was to buy a bigger boat and be able to offer something for more people at the same time and at a good price,” Brian McCadie said. “I went out there to Newton for the last three weeks of the boat-building process and ended up being part of their crew, which was an amazing experience. I learned so much.”
Transparensea runs seven days a week, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Their night trip leaves 20 minutes after sunset.
Stay connected on Facebook by visiting @Transparensea Islamorada and Instagram, @glassbottomboat_floridakeys. For more information or to book a tour call 305-21-GLASS, check out their website www.glassbottomtour.com or stop by the booth at Robbie’s Marina MM 77.5.
