12/24/07
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the boat,
Not a creature was stirring; at least not afloat.
The stockings were hung by the helm with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there.
The children were all nested all snug in their beds,
While visions of steamed-oysters danced in the heads.
And Mary in her teddy and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for some romance, and then a nap,
When out on the dock there arouse such a clatter,
I sprang from my bunk to check out the matter.
Away to the porthole I flew like a teen,
Tore open the curtain and threw out the screen.
The moon on the breast of the water below,
Gave the vision of SeaTow with a boat in tow.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little ole Captain, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than manatees his courses they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;
Now Hatteras, now Nordhavn, now Catalina, now Bestway,
On Broward, on Californian, on Bertram, on SeaRay
To the top of the sundeck, to the top of the Bimini,
Now dash away, dash away dash away to infinity.
As palm fronds before the wild hurricane fly,
When they met with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So its up to the Bridge, the courses they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the deck,
The prancing and pawing of each hoof's peck.
As I drew in my hand and was turning around,
Down the companionway, St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur from his feet to his chin,
But he smelled of cocktail sauce and gin.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked
like an oyster-man just opening his pack.
His eyes how they twinkled, his dimpled how merry,
His cheeks were like sushi, his nose like a cherry.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow rail,
And the beard of his chin was as white as a mainsail.
The stump of his pipe he held tight n his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad little face and a round belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jell.
He was chubby and plump, a right salty ole elf,
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying a finger aside his nose, up the companionway he rose,
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard his shout as he flew out of sight,
Merry Christmas to All, and to All a good Night!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Claiborn Young
12/20/07
I thought my Redneck Reindeer link was to be the last post before Christmas but I had to share this one.
Most of you cruisers know of Claiborn Young, the Cruising Guide writer. It's the best guide for cruising the ICW and Bahamas I know of. They are full of good, accurate information.
I got a phone call from him thanking me for the Sojourner information I sent to him a few days back. He posted the Florida forms and instructions on his website and got record traffic from Florida bound boaters.
We had a good talk about boating in general. He said he was coming to Florida in March to begin an update to the Florida guide books and would look me up. I offered my help in local knowledge of the waterways in my area.
You can find his publications at any West Marine or you can go to his website at this link.
http://www.cruisingguide.com/cp/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=22
Mike
I thought my Redneck Reindeer link was to be the last post before Christmas but I had to share this one.
Most of you cruisers know of Claiborn Young, the Cruising Guide writer. It's the best guide for cruising the ICW and Bahamas I know of. They are full of good, accurate information.
I got a phone call from him thanking me for the Sojourner information I sent to him a few days back. He posted the Florida forms and instructions on his website and got record traffic from Florida bound boaters.
We had a good talk about boating in general. He said he was coming to Florida in March to begin an update to the Florida guide books and would look me up. I offered my help in local knowledge of the waterways in my area.
You can find his publications at any West Marine or you can go to his website at this link.
http://www.cruisingguide.com/cp/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=22
Mike
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Redneck Reindeer
12/19/07
Well its almost Christmas and they get sooner each year its seems. This link to the Redneck Reindeer is rather fitting. It will get you smiling for sure.
Merry Christmas everyone!
http://carolynsplace.com/fun/The_Redneck_Reindeer.html
Well its almost Christmas and they get sooner each year its seems. This link to the Redneck Reindeer is rather fitting. It will get you smiling for sure.
Merry Christmas everyone!
http://carolynsplace.com/fun/The_Redneck_Reindeer.html
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Florida Cruising
12/15/07
If your plans include cruising to Florida this winter you need to be aware of this.
Florida requires that vessels be registered in Florida after 30 days in state. However, the state provides reciprocity for of out of state vessels. This allows you to operate your vessel in state waters for up to 90 days. There is however, a little used statue, 328.58, that provides cruising in Florida waters beyond the 90 day limit without Florida registration, the Sojourner
Registration.
Why is this important? If you are stopped and are asked to produce documentation about your presence in the State, you may be required to register you boat to remain. More importantly, in your registration process, you'll be asked to produce evidence that you have paid sales tax on your vessel. Many states do not tax used boats, Florida does.
For cruisers entering Florida from the north via the ICW, Nassau County is your first Florida county at Fernandina Beach. This where I am. I spoke to the County office yesterday and got what you'll need to make this painless.
The Nassau County Tax Office is prepared to issue you the registration. The tax office is a short 5 minute taxi ride to the county offices in Yulee from the City marina. Ask for Mary Ann.
You should read the simple instructions and complete and take the completed form with you. I have posted the forms on my website under the news page. If you are already in the State, I suggest you take the instructions and forms with you to the county offices as the workers will not likely know about this provision.
Mike
If your plans include cruising to Florida this winter you need to be aware of this.
Florida requires that vessels be registered in Florida after 30 days in state. However, the state provides reciprocity for of out of state vessels. This allows you to operate your vessel in state waters for up to 90 days. There is however, a little used statue, 328.58, that provides cruising in Florida waters beyond the 90 day limit without Florida registration, the Sojourner
Registration.
Why is this important? If you are stopped and are asked to produce documentation about your presence in the State, you may be required to register you boat to remain. More importantly, in your registration process, you'll be asked to produce evidence that you have paid sales tax on your vessel. Many states do not tax used boats, Florida does.
For cruisers entering Florida from the north via the ICW, Nassau County is your first Florida county at Fernandina Beach. This where I am. I spoke to the County office yesterday and got what you'll need to make this painless.
The Nassau County Tax Office is prepared to issue you the registration. The tax office is a short 5 minute taxi ride to the county offices in Yulee from the City marina. Ask for Mary Ann.
You should read the simple instructions and complete and take the completed form with you. I have posted the forms on my website under the news page. If you are already in the State, I suggest you take the instructions and forms with you to the county offices as the workers will not likely know about this provision.
Mike
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Hatteras 48
12/8/07
Good morning all,
The Hatteras and her crew arrived yesterday and was put on the hill. Shes going to have a new generator installed, new flooring, counter tops and electronics. Lisa said the trip was fun and informative. In addition, the dog Bach, fell overboard while barking at porpoises near Cape Canaveral. Luckily, he wasn't run over by the boat. I suggested that they install safety netting around the rails.
Changing gears, Mary said last night I went sleepwalking. That's scary. I got out of bed she said and proceeded into the salon. She asked, "Mike, where are you going?" I replied, "I've got to check on the Nordhavn." I don't remember a thing, no kidding!
MMnnnnn, I need a vacation. Now I'm thinking of boats in my sleep. For those that don't know, I listed a very nice 46 foot Nordhavn this week. Nordhavn's are the queen of the trawler fleet. You can see her at http://www.seaonce.homestead.com/
Mary and I harvested our first sprout crop this week. We began sprouting alfalfa sprouts last Sunday and by Wednesday, they were ready to eat. We have enough to fill about 5 of those containers you can buy at the store. They are easy, tasty and inexpensive to grow too. I'm going to grow some radish sprouts next.
We tried something new this week to clean the isinglass on the Patricia Ann. A transient told us about making a cleaner that's better than any commercial cleaner you can buy. We tried it and WOW, its great.
Recipe
1 tsp of Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo
1 Qrt distilled water
Get yourself a sheepskin mitt (Walmart automotive) and wash the glass, don't rinse as shampoo has no soap in it, chamois the glass off and you'll have glass like it was new. What once took us about 1.5 hours to clean, took only 20 minutes and the results were spectacular.
We figured the total cost to buy the ingredients was only $1.30 and that will make enough for 4 washings compared to the $15.00 it costs for the less effective commercial cleaners. Try it, it really works.
Mike
Good morning all,
The Hatteras and her crew arrived yesterday and was put on the hill. Shes going to have a new generator installed, new flooring, counter tops and electronics. Lisa said the trip was fun and informative. In addition, the dog Bach, fell overboard while barking at porpoises near Cape Canaveral. Luckily, he wasn't run over by the boat. I suggested that they install safety netting around the rails.
Changing gears, Mary said last night I went sleepwalking. That's scary. I got out of bed she said and proceeded into the salon. She asked, "Mike, where are you going?" I replied, "I've got to check on the Nordhavn." I don't remember a thing, no kidding!
MMnnnnn, I need a vacation. Now I'm thinking of boats in my sleep. For those that don't know, I listed a very nice 46 foot Nordhavn this week. Nordhavn's are the queen of the trawler fleet. You can see her at http://www.seaonce.homestead.com/
Mary and I harvested our first sprout crop this week. We began sprouting alfalfa sprouts last Sunday and by Wednesday, they were ready to eat. We have enough to fill about 5 of those containers you can buy at the store. They are easy, tasty and inexpensive to grow too. I'm going to grow some radish sprouts next.
We tried something new this week to clean the isinglass on the Patricia Ann. A transient told us about making a cleaner that's better than any commercial cleaner you can buy. We tried it and WOW, its great.
Recipe
1 tsp of Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo
1 Qrt distilled water
Get yourself a sheepskin mitt (Walmart automotive) and wash the glass, don't rinse as shampoo has no soap in it, chamois the glass off and you'll have glass like it was new. What once took us about 1.5 hours to clean, took only 20 minutes and the results were spectacular.
We figured the total cost to buy the ingredients was only $1.30 and that will make enough for 4 washings compared to the $15.00 it costs for the less effective commercial cleaners. Try it, it really works.
Mike
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Christmas Afloat
12/2/07
I spoke to the 48 Hatteras owners last night and they were in Ft. Pierce doing fine with the remaining cruise to the yard. They should be at Cape Canaveral today.
Yesterday Mary and I decided to put the Patricia Ann's Christmas decorations up. With Jimmy Buffett's Christmas in the Caribbean playing in the background, the temperature about 73, it was perfect.
We keep it simple, using white lights along the rails, red bows and two wreaths on the bridge. Our little tree is artificial of course as everything can be stowed for next year. Its sits on the bridge too. We'll hang stockings today too, hey, I still believe in Santa!
We began collecting nautical tree ornaments some years ago and I've provided photos of some of of my favorites . I like the Shrimp and the Manatee ornament. Today Mary's going to do some baking
and wrap a few presents we've got to ship. We are ole fashioned and don't like to send or get gift cards (too impersonal) so we do it the hard way I suppose.
and wrap a few presents we've got to ship. We are ole fashioned and don't like to send or get gift cards (too impersonal) so we do it the hard way I suppose.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
