Southern Crosses

Island time photos

Time is a precious thing. It can’t be taken back once it’s gone, knowing that, we should all endeavor to use it wisely. I found myself on Island time recently, and enjoyed every minute of it. Although you can’t actually go back in time, you can look at photos and mentally relive some rather fine [...]

Isla Mujeres Race, Part 3

The next day or so was very similar, with several minor exceptions. Nobody really ate much as it was too rough. The easy food was consumed when one had an opportunity, or desire, to eat. Pringles, Chex Mix, cans of cheese spread with crackers… man food, with beer of course.
The day passed easily enough sans [...]

Isla Mujeres Race, Part 2

Strategies were becoming apparent as we could see which vessels were settling in on what course. Some were choosing to follow the most direct and shortest path, the rhumb line, while others were going out to look for currents and eddy’s to up the speed along the course. We choose the longer path, but with [...]

Isla Mujeres Race, part 1

St Petersburg Florida to Isla Mujeres Mexico Race: April 24th 2009
Weeks of planning and preparation are about to bear fruit. The anticipation and excitement of my first race have led me to the morning of the 41st annual St. Pete, Florida to Isla Mujeres, Mexico race. I’m the newest crew member so therefore assigned [...]

Isla Mujeres Mexico

Buenos Dias de Isla Mujeres
Good morning all. For those of you that were following the race via the internet, you saw how well we did. Our arrival, just under one week ago, began a long list of events related to the race. We have also enjoyed all that the island has to offer. Fine dining [...]

Regata del Sol al Sol, St. Pete to Isla Mujere Mexico

It’s that time of the year, RACE TIME!
The 41st Regata del Sol al Sol is preparing to depart from the Saint Petersburg Yacht Club on Friday morning the 24th, at 1000hrs.  We will be racing from St. Pete Florida to Isla Mujere Mexico, a short 460 nautical miles to the southwest. It will take us [...]

Yum-Yum from Key Largo

15 gallons of gas: $43.12
Fishing lures: $14.73
Sunscreen: $7.95
A woman who can catch fish, clean them, and cook ‘em up: Absolutely PRICELESS!
(No… sorry… she is not for sale or trade)
It would seem that while I’m overseas on a business trip my lovely wife Sheree has found herself in Key Largo hanging out with her brother, Capt. [...]

The Great Bahamas trip: Part 6 / Chub Cay to Bimini

Two Years Before the Mast - Chub Cay to Bimini
By: Nat Manning
After a nice layover in Chub Cay, we cast off on Tuesday, the 10th of February and motored out clear of the reefs off Moma Roda Rock. We unfurled the sail and slowly slid down the underside of the Berry Islands, past an almost [...]

The Great Bahamas trip: Part 5 / Nassau to Chub Cay

Two Years Before the Mast-Nassau to Chub Cay
By: Nat Manning
Leaving Nassau Harbor consists of a rapid transition from the quiet calm of the seaport to the deep ocean swells of the Tongue of the Ocean. From calm to six foot waves in just a few minutes. From the forty feet of the ship [...]

The Great Bahamas trip: Part 4 / Nassau

Two Years Before the Mast - Nassau,  By: Nat Manning
On Wednesday, February 4, 2009 Elise II arrived in Nassau around five o’clock in the morning. As the Skipper tided up the boat and secured all the equipment from the overnight passage, I (Gilligan) spent most of the day in the bunk sleeping, much to [...]

The Great Bahamas trip: Part 3 / Bimini to Nassau

Two Years Before the Mast - Bimini to Nassau
The intrepid crew of the mighty ship Elice II had arrived in Bimini on the 28th day of January, 2009. The last day of January was a sad day aboard Elice II as it was the Admirals last day with us. We rode the water [...]

The Great Bahamas trip: Part 2 / Bimini

Two Years Before the Mast - Bimini
Bimini deserves it’s own article. Why? Because Bimini is a very special place. In essence, it really isn’t that much to look at. Most baseball players can stand in the water on one side of North Bimini and hit a ball into the water on [...]

The Great Bahamas trip: Part 1 / Tampa to Bimini

On the 20th day of January, in the year two thousand and nine the great ship Elice II set sail from the docks of Lands End Marina proudly and stately with the Skipper, the Admiral, and myself, (Nat Manning) as foredeck crew. The air was electric with the excitement of an adventure that would [...]

The pirate scourge of Land’s End Marina

It was a beautiful summer day anchored in the Manatee River last summer. My pal Nat aboard his boat, the SNAP ONE a Morgan 50′, was anchored nearby.
While setting up my boat for the next few days of resting at anchor, I sent my small pirate flag up the starboard spreader. It was a simple [...]

Where is Nat Manning and the Elise II?

Ahoy Nat!
(a hoy is a nautical thing-a-magiggy, usually rust in color with three holes and one snap, but can also mean HELLO in the nautical world)
For the fine folks keeping up with the travels of Mr. Manning, I’ll submit this report for your review…
22 Jan 09
The intrepid crew of Elice II has made it through [...]

Two Years Before the Mast - The List

I told you not to read this, that it would be boring! What are you doing here?
Just a few points of interest. Note the 3 pairs of underwear. Ellen embroidered them as “January, February, March” so that I would have a system. In light of that, we pause for a commercial [...]

From Skipper to Gilligan, the adventure begins.

Editors note: The tall tale your about to hear is generated from the salt encrusted sea sprayed deranged mind of one sailing gent known as Nat Manning. He will be setting off on a sailing adventure to the Bahamas this week, and sending me regular updates. I’ll post them here so you can go on [...]

Boat Bites III (attack of the carnivores)

By: Nat Manning

I don’t know how long, for months, a plan has been rattling around between the Captain of Velella and myself of roasting a leg of lamb.  After many conversations at the Tiki Bar and numerous ‘false starts’, we finally got serious and made the plans final and binding.  Not wanting to be involved [...]

Boat bites, on the boat (part 2)

By: Nat Manning

Now that we arrive at the boat, the danger really begins. The deck of a sailboat is a virtual cornucopia of hazards that come in all colors and flavors. Hey, you remember “cleats”? Well, they are generally sprayed onto a sailboat and then bolted down where-ever they land. For fun, add some steel [...]

Boat Bites, getting to the boat

By: Nat Manning
I know that some of you are asking yourselves… “What are boat bites?”
Boat bites are painful, non critical, non debilitating minor injuries that occur on and around boats. Take note that I referred to them as injuries, not accidents. I have been studying this phenomenon and am somewhat convinced that the injuries are [...]

Gulfport walk-about / Peg’s Cantina

Part two of the walk-about finds the mule… sorry, I mean Nat, toting a varied assortment of new purchases to the next rest area. My personal requirements are, a nice seat outside and a good cup of coffee. I enjoy watching folks scurrying about. Nat’s requirement… time for an orange juice and a beer. I [...]

Gulfport walk-about / Le Moulin Jaune

Well then, as with all ports of call a shore side exploration and shopping trip is on the days list of things to do. Gulfport is a boater friendly small community located along the Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW) near St. Petersburg Fl. The channel is well marked and provides easy access from the ICW. The [...]

Time for a break

I exhaled consciously while I kept my eyes shut. Bringing in a fresh breath I opened my eyes and did my best to burn the image into my mind for future reference. I took some photos, but it would not be quite the same.
It had been far too long since I’ve been on the hook [...]

State of Florida treasure hunter letter to the Governor

LETTER WRITTEN TO GOVERNOR CRIST ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2008:
By: Mike Blanchard
Good morning Governor Crist. I know that you are a very busy man with many important issues to oversee so I will try to maintain brevity in this letter.
My name is Mike Blanchard and I currently reside in Vero Beach, Florida. I am 41 [...]

Cedar Key visited

Take any expectations you may have and place them over to the side for the time being. I’ll take you on the road trip and let you decide…
First of all, when you hear the work ‘Key’ you immediately place a tropical paradise scene in your head. Visions of swaying palm trees, beautiful beaches, serene settings [...]