A captain who has answered

By Jane Bartnett

Ona late spring evening, Capt. Matthew Reid stood on the deck of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Stickney Point Road. With a distinctly southern drawl, he greeted his passengers and welcomed them aboard the 30-foot tour boat that would take them out to enjoy one of Siesta Key’s famous sunsets.

“This vessel can carry up to 19 passengers, but we’re only nine tonight so we all have plenty of room for dancing,” he said with a laugh.

Then he introduced his first mate and wife, Janna Reid.

As he got behind the wheel of the High Tide Tiki Boat Tours boat, owned by Para Sail Siesta, the captain eased the boat out of the slip and into the Intracoastal Waterway. The three-hour journey began.

With the sun dipping ever so slightly in the sky, a golden haze covered the Siesta Key waterfront homes. Reid ramped up the music. His passengers smiled, chatted and laughed.

“When we start a cruise,” he said, “we fit the music to the passengers.” Starting off with a distinctly upbeat country tune, he gave everyone a preview of where the boat would travel and what sights they would see. A family from Ottawa, Canada, were aboard with three teenage girls, along with a 20-something couple from Austin, Texas. All were new to Siesta Key.

“How ‘bout we have some dancing?” said the captain.

“Great music, love it,” said the dad as his wife got up to dance.

“You’ve got it,” Reid said encouragingly. “Hey, I’ve had a 90-year-old lady dancing on this boat. C’mon y’all!” The mood was set.

Even a pod of dolphins came near the boat to play. “We’re gonna have a great cruise tonight,” proclaimed the captain. Being out on the waters of Siesta Key comes naturally to the Sarasota native who spent his childhood on boats, discovering the area’s islands and waterways. He traces his family roots back seven generations to 1858, noting it played an important role in the region’s history.

“My great-grandfather Sam Sweeting was Mr. Ringling’s personal fishing captain and he once escorted John Ringling and a visiting prince from Syria on a fishing trip,” said Reid, referring to the legendary Sarasota entrepreneur and circus founder. In 1925, Time Magazine named Ringling one of the