Here’s the skinny on the Nantucket Bucket race.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 17, 2000) | Comments (0)
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Beowulf Logs
Read all about Steve & Linda Dashew’s adventures on Beowulf, their 78-foot bare-aluminum ketch. The logs run from 1999 through 2002.
Beowulf Cruising in New England
Navigating the fog of Maine and preparing for the Nantucket Bucket race.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 11, 2000) | Comments (0)
Maintenance Report after 28,000 Miles on Beowulf
After 28,000 miles of passaging, here’s the scoop on how Beowulf’s various systems are holding up.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 16, 2000) | Comments (0)
Reflections on Cruising in the Caribbean
Newport-Bermuda, Beowulf vs. Rebecca: Race Results
Postscript to the race – whatever happened to Rebecca?
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 26, 2000) | Comments (0)
Newport-Bermuda Passage: Dropping Anchor in Newport
Navigation sofware locks up as Beowulf approaches Newport in the fog at 0118. Luckily they also have radar and paper charts. There’s a moral to this story!
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 25, 2000) | Comments (0)
Newport-Bermuda Passage: Weather Tactics
Skirting the squalls, and porpoises welcome Beowulf to New England.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 24, 2000) | Comments (0)
Bermuda-Newport Passage: Gulf Stream Tactics
Squalls, lightning, and sloppy sea state – Steve and Linda brush up on their Gulf Stream crossing tactics.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 24, 2000) | Comments (0)
Bermuda-Newport Passage, Day 1
Underway, with signs indicating the approach of a cold front. Could make for a fast trip.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 23, 2000) | Comments (0)
Final Preparations for Bermuda-Newport, and Agreeing to a Friendly Race
The skipper of Rebecca, a 140′ Frers, agrees to a friendly race from Bermuda to Newport.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 22, 2000) | Comments (0)
Preparing for Bermuda-Newport Passage
The weather picture improving, Linda stocks the freezer with pre-cooked meals.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 21, 2000) | Comments (0)
Relaxing in Bermuda, and Watching Weather for Passage to Newport, RI
"Decompressing" in subtropical Bermuda, and watching for a weather window to head for Newport, RI.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 20, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage: Hook Down in Convict Bay
Sailing at last; resolving a discrepancy between radar, GPS, and electronic chart; and landfall.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 15, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage Day 4
Finally enough breeze to at least motorsail, with hope for more improvement later.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 14, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage Day 3
A nasty-looking low could bring gale-force winds over the Gulf Stream, so Beowulf keeps pushing to make it into port first.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 13, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage Day 3: Confusing Weather Forecasts
Interpreting a very confusing set of surface and forecast faxes.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 13, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage Day 2: Fuel = Speed
Afternoon. Motoring more than expected, the Dashews have to make some tough decisions about how conservative to be with the rest of the fuel.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 12, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage Day 2
Morning. A funnel cloud provides a shot of adrenaline.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 12, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage: Watching the Weather
It’s not optimal weather but the Dashews are impatient, so Beowulf is off to Bermuda.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 11, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Bermuda Passage: Weather Window Looks Good
(Later in the day.) Weather scenario improves, and final preparations for the passage.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 11, 2000) | Comments (0)
Watching the Weather before Bermuda Passage
Weather Alert! The Dashews are starting to watch the weather patterns in anticipation of their passage to Bermuda. If you want to analyze the weather along with them, check back with us daily over the next few weeks.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 10, 2000) | Comments (0)
Race Week Reflections
Reflections on Antigua Race Week – the thrill of watching the classics sailing, and hot-and-heavy racing with the newer boats.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 9, 2000) | Comments (0)
Guadeloupe-Antigua race report
Beowulf enters her first race – and breaks a course record! Here are all the exciting details of the Guadeloupe-Antigua Race.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 6, 2000) | Comments (0)
The Cockroach War
The Dashews are grizzled veterans of the cockroach wars. This week they share their secrets.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 29, 2000) | Comments (0)
Antigua
Two great daysails from Martinique to Antigua, and observations from boat-watching heaven.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 21, 2000) | Comments (0)
Chafe
How the Dashews have solved chafing problems.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 15, 2000) | Comments (0)
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia: Repairing a Bow Roller
The Dashews hate the clutter of carrying extra tools and parts aboard, but when their bow roller breaks in Rodney Bay, they’re grateful to have the equipment on hand to fix it.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 22, 2000) | Comments (0)
Marigot Bay, St. Lucia: A Caribbean Anchorage as Nice as the South Pacific
Finally, an anchorage that rivals the South Pacfic (Marigot Bay, St. Lucia); and taking steps to enter BEOWULF in Antigua Race Week.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 17, 2000) | Comments (0)
Bequia: Nice Cruising Destination
Sailing to Bequia
Sailing off the anchor at Union Island, and now en route for Bequia, where old and new friends await.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 6, 2000) | Comments (0)
A Day in the Cruising Life in Mt. Hartman Bay, Grenada
On a leisurely Sunday, the Dashews wander around Mt. Hartman Bay, Grenada, checking out the other boats.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 27, 2000) | Comments (0)
Strategy for Approaching Prickly Bay, Grenada
Deciding their strategy for how to approach Prickly Bay, Grenada.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 25, 2000) | Comments (0)
Should Beowulf Head for St. Lucia or Grenada?
(Part 1) Depending on where the winds blow, they may go to St. Lucia instead.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 24, 2000) | Comments (0)
Sailing Towards Grenada
(Part 2) NE breeze makes for a nice tight reach to Grenada.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 24, 2000) | Comments (0)
Sailing from Curacao towards the Grenadines and Catching Up on Mail
The Dashews embark for Grenada, eschewing the conventional island-hopping route.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 23, 2000) | Comments (0)
Spanish Waters, Curacao: A Friendly Spot for Cruisers
Cleaning up after the passage and getting to know Curacao.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 18, 2000) | Comments (0)
Panama to Caribbean Passage: Experience the “Coastal Effect” off Colombia
Evening – Experiencing the infamous "coastal affect" off of Colombia.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 16, 2000) | Comments (0)
Panama to Caribbean Passage Day 3
Tacking and wind shifts finally make for a more pleasant sail.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 12, 2000) | Comments (0)
Panama to Caribbean: Current Right on the Nose
The wind backs 20 degrees but current is right on the nose.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 11, 2000) | Comments (0)
Panama to Caribbean: Duck into Cartagena, Colombia?
The Dashews debate whether to duck into Cartagena, Colombia, but tactically it seems better to head on to Curacao in the West Indies.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 10, 2000) | Comments (0)
San Blas to Caribbean Passage: Day 1
Stowing BEOWULF for sea, and heading offshore. The waves steepen off of Colombia.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 9, 2000) | Comments (0)
Choosing a Weather Window to Sail from San Blas to Caribbean
Timing the 1100-mile passage (which will be dead against wind and current) to the Caribbean.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 8, 2000) | Comments (0)
Exploring Hollindais Cays, San Blas
Hollendais Cays, San Blas – Buying molas from the Indian women, and meeting old friends.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 7, 2000) | Comments (0)
Beowulf in the San Blas Islands
Transiting the Panama Canal, and exploring the San Blas Islands.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 4, 2000) | Comments (0)
Change of Plans: Chilling Out in Costa Rica
One of the prerogatives of cruising is changing your plans – so the Dashews decide to chill out in Playa de Cocos, Costa Rica.
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 21, 2000) | Comments (0)
Beowulf Ducks in to Check Out Port of Huatulco
(morning) 15 deg 30.8 min N, 095 deg 40.5 min W
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 17, 2000) | Comments (0)
Beating into Steep Waves in the Gulf of Tehuantepec
(afternoon) 14 deg 55.4 min N, 094 deg 38.3 min W
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 17, 2000) | Comments (0)
Hugging the Mexican Coast to Avoid Tehuantepecker
Hugging the coast, 5 hours from the gale, 15 deg 41.9 min N, 096 deg 48.1 min W
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 16, 2000) | Comments (0)
Storm Forecast in Gulf of Tehuantepec
The weather "potential" gets more interesting, 16 deg 09.5 min N, 098 deg 27.8 min W
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 15, 2000) | Comments (0)
Preparing for a Gale in the Gulf of Tehuantepec
Preparing for a gale in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, 17 deg 13.6 min N, 102 deg 36.8 min W
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 14, 2000) | Comments (0)
Cruising in the 21st Century
Cruising in the 21st Century (sent from Manzanillo, Mexico)
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 11, 2000) | Comments (0)
Sailing off the Coast of Baja California
Off Cedros Island, 28 deg 14.3 min N, 115 deg 57 min W
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 6, 2000) | Comments (0)