Now we get to the hard part, choosing art work and photographs for the many surfaces aboard Cochise. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 5, 2016) | Comments (0)
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Archive for 2016
FPB 78 Progress: Lifelines And Upholstery – The End Is Near
When you have lifelines, glass… Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 30, 2016) | Comments (0)
Sony Mirrorless Cameras – Getting Better
We’ve been testing the Sony 6300 mirrorless camera with Canon lenses, and we have been pleased with results we are getting. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 27, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78-1 Monitoring The Situation: Update – A Great Monitor Find
In the process of wrestling with monitor tradeoffs, we have come across a great new monitor.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 26, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78-1: Workshop And Swim Step Bulk Storage And Structure
When you design a structural system, there are many considerations, among which is storage. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 20, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78-1 Forepeak: Boatbuilders’ Art
As FPB 78-1 nears completion, it is becoming easier to see the art form of which the Circa team are capable. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 18, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78 – Strutting Our Stuff
Today was fun. Surrounded with coils of rope, boxes of rigging hardware, just like when we used to set up our sailing designs. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 16, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78-1 Final Details: A Seat At The Table And Elsewhere
Your correspondent checking the helm chair position.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 13, 2016) | Comments (0)
Does Size Matter In Navigation Monitors?
One of the reasons we decided to go with Simrad for our electronics was their ability to be used with a variety of monitors. This afternoon, we got a first taste of some of the options available. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 12, 2016) | Comments (0)
Reflections – Sometimes You Just Have to Let It Sink In
There comes a time when it hits you, when the pieces fall together, when it feels right, and you know it has all been worth it. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 11, 2016) | Comments (0)
Last Pieces Of The Puzzle That Makes Up A New FPB
Off to New Zealand today for a quick trip. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 9, 2016) | Comments (0)
The Right Recipe: Where Do You Find It?
©Stan & Valerie Creighton: Fulaga, Fiji
When your voyaging takes you off the beaten path, where shore power and technical assistance is a rarity, the ingredients required for successful cruising change.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 1, 2016) | Comments (0)
Propping Up The FPB Concept
When it comes to naval vessels, and in particular submarines, enormous importance–and secrecy–is placed on their prop designs. It is not an exaggeration to say that in some parts of the world, a photo like this, if based in reality, could lead to the severest of penalties.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 25, 2016) | Comments (0)
The Black Swan Theory Of Cruising – Updated
Our approach to yacht design (as well as investing) is captured by Nassim Taleb’s black swan theory of economics. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 9, 2016) | Comments (0)
Expanding Space With Art
You can expand your visual interior space and add interest by adding art to vertical surfaces. We’re selecting art now for FPB 78-1, looking through some of our photos from the olden days for ideas, and thought this might be of interest. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 9, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78 Battery Bank And Charging Details
It is a law in the yacht building universe that the sparkies (electricians) are always the last ones off the boat. And with the DC system now almost complete, we can see the light at the end of the long building cycle tunnel. We thought this might be a good time to go through the DC battery bank and related circuits. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 7, 2016) | Comments (0)
Cruising Decisions – Sometimes Spontaneity Is The Key
Many cruising decisions are based on a detailed decision making matrix. Others are based on a spontaneous decision. The latter often make for the most interesting experiences. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 3, 2016) | Comments (0)
Dashew Offshore History – How the Swim Step Came To Be
The Dashew Offshore swim step, shown above in its highest evolutionary form on the FPB 97 Iceberg, started out much more modestly. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 25, 2016) | Comments (0)
Closing The Store
Thanks to all who ordered the remaining physical copies of the Dashews’ cruising books, we are now officially sold out and closing down the SetSail store. You can download Surviving the Storm and Mariner’s Weather Handbook for free, and stay tuned for PDF copies of Offshore Cruising Encyclopedia and Practical Seamanship!
Posted by admin (February 18, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB Owner Blogs – Adventures of Avatar
From time to time we like to feature owner blogs here on SetSail. Returning readers will no doubt be familiar with the stunning photography and narrative style of FPB 64-1 Avatar owner Carol Parker. Read the rest »
Posted by admin (February 10, 2016) | Comments (0)
Dashew Offshore History – Fast Is Fun
Beowulf leaving Norfolk, VA on her way to the BVI at the start of the 2001 Caribbean 1500. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 8, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78 – The Concept Evolves
The design process for us has always been an evolutionary spiral. As we get further into the project, as the pieces begin to come together, we almost always discover hidden gems that, when teased into reality, help to make a better product. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 30, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 78-1 Last Details: Quick Visit
Creating, fine tuning, and testing yachts intended for serious cruising is demanding, intense work–as you can see above. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 24, 2016) | Comments (0)
FPB 70 – A New Baby Sister!
There’s a new kid on the block, a smaller sibling to the FPB 97 and 78, and like most younger family members, this one is as tough as nails. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 20, 2016) | Comments (0)
Dashew Offshore: A Bit Of History Part 2 – The Big Roach Cruising Main
You are looking at a huge mistake: a new mainsail that did not fit, with too much roach. Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 16, 2016) | Comments (0)
Dashew Offshore – A Bit Of History Part 1
Innismara, the yacht that started us thinking so many years ago… Read the rest »
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 13, 2016) | Comments (0)