DECEMBER 2009

‘Y ARIES (21 Mar - 20 Apr)
Romance is in the holiday air, but don’t forget to save some
energy for those ingenious boat projects. Also, ignore the
business glitch during the first week — it will sort itself out.

‘ TAURUS (21 Apr - 21 May)

Don't let communication difficulties hold you back. Try
not to be pedantic if people don’t seem to understand what
you are trying to tell them. Your low tide will be around
the 21st.

TL GEMINI (22 May - 21 Jun)
Squalls of bickering will be the weather of the month
with lovers and crew. It might hamper your creative prog-
ress, but you'll enjoy the holidays nonetheless.

CANCER 65 (22 Jun - 23 Jul)
It will seem that you have to repeat yourself endlessly to
get anything done. Boat business matters will be in irons

in the first week, but then everything’s fine sailing.

$2 LEO (24 Jul - 23 Aug)

You will find yourself wandering off course and then
feeling like you're drifting backwards. Spend time with
loved ones doing creative things until this aspect passes
and Santa slides down the hatch.

lip VIRGO (24 Aug - 23 Sep)
Contrary currents for you, with romance interfering
with interesting boat projects. Make the best of it all and
just have fun during the festive season.

= LIBRA (24 Sep - 23 Oct)
The first week will offer good business opportunities so
hoist all your sails and do your best. Your patience and
balance will serve you well.

Ti, SCORPIO (24 Oct - 22 Nov)
Your energy will be in the doldrums, especially around
the 21st. Best to just chill out with a good book — at least
until the holiday parties start.

¥ SAGITTARIUS (23 Nov - 21 Dec)

Your love life will be an asset to your cruising creativity.
Just don’t take on too much, and be sure to finish any
uncompleted boat chores before the 26th. Boxing Day will
be fun.

7 CAPRICORN (22 Dec - 20 Jan)

Use your verbal talents to good effect in marine-related
business during the first week. Complete any boat main-
tenance or racing arrangements before the end of the
month, then pop that champagne!

xx AQUARIUS (21 Jan - 19 Feb)

Your cruising kitty may suffer indigestion in the first
week. This is followed by a lack of enthusiasm that will
linger till the end of the year. A good time to swing on the
hook and just kick back for Christmas.

=& PISCES (20 Feb - 20 Mar)

You will experience some choppy seas in your love life
from the second week till the 26th. You will also find your
cruising creativity in the doldrums. Don’t worry; Santa will
bring smooth seas of romance and sailing inspiration.

 

 

parlumps marooned

 

 

Crossword Solution

ACROSS 32) AROUND 13) COURSE
4) YAWL 35) LINER 15) WHEEL
6) SHEET 37) DOCK 16) NO TILLER
8) WIND 38) LONG 18) SEA

1D AT 39) RUDDER _19) STRAIN
13) CROSS 40) SOS 23) TOE

14) UPWIND 41) EASE 25) PLOT
17) PUT 27) SWINGS
18) SURGES DOWN 28) STEERS
20) WEATHER 1) OLD 29) OR

21) TIE 2) WET 31) AN

22) SET 3) JIBS 32) AFTER
24) ASK 5) ABOUT 33) DECKS
25) PLAN 7) HARD 34) HELM
26) YES 9) DEGREES —36) ADD

28) SLOW 10) COMPASS

30) WATER 12) ROUGH

 

 

 

Is/
Rd
Cks

THE NIGHT
BEFORE GHRISTMAS

Teoas the might before CAristmas, I swting on the hook
‘aked ott ch the settee, asleep with ry Zack

When up on the deck I heard footsteps and stutf
Lve een Loarded!” I thought, and L tried to be tough.

Then down the companionwa/ hatch came a ditde, .
We was dressed like a nut and I thought,” Lm so screwed,
But he laughed and he hiimmed as he “surveyed my jtnk

Se EF figured Ae must be the resident dprtink.

Wis eyes were lit up hike @ Janke on Speed

But he gave mea whole biinch of stat that I need
Like rtt7 and cigars and new charts and a dinghy

And some kind &f Fancy electrical Chingy.

L thought it was stolen but ZL wasn ‘¢ ze/ling,

LZ hoped he was giving and wasnt, just sellin

And ‘I poured Wt a Prog which fe downed With a wink
Then £ pottred one Forme CZ sire needed a drink!).

Then he staggered above to the dark tropic. night ;

As L ester E beheld an incrediéle ie =

Eight tiny dolphins and a beatiful sleigh

Abel the dude hopped aboard and prepaFed to prake ea.

The dolphins were ready to power the sled

But the gety rased a genny and mains | instead.

With a burp and a chuckle he gathered the breeze
And called "to the dolphins, not Swimning with ease:

“On Fatty and Foxy and Old Barracuda!

On Teva and Meuntgay, Antiqua, Barbuda!

Or whatever Your hames are, you cute Iittle fishes, :
Here s to every last sailor, my best Christmas wishes!

As he sailed away leaving a ee bies wake
LE Aaped he had not mary stops left to make.
ot Close to Shore and Ae Soon was agrotind
But the dolphins proceeded to pel Aint aPottird
And LZ heard him exclam as he Ssaled aut of Sight
Merry CAnstmas to all, and to all a goodnight:
— Cruiser Claus

Editor's note: We don’t know who originally wrote this poem that’s been doing the rounds
anonymously for a while, but we published it last year and it’s back by popular demand!

FACT-OIDS

    
    

  
 

Fish have more complex brains
than previously thought. It

turns out that most take the bait
out of sheer depression.

d

fortunately, 1
into the whole
catch & releas
thing...

SAINT

WOQ awubhe

     

©

| gpodbye, >

{creel world...