After resting up in Barra de Navidad, BEOWULF is underway again, sans boom.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 12, 2002) | Comments (0)
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Dashew Logs
Steve and Linda write a regular column for SetSailors from wherever they happen to be. Join in as they cruise the world and discuss topics of interest to sailors everywhere. Here you’ll find their articles dating from 1996 to the present.
150 Miles to Manzanillo
Beowulf gets caught in tropical storm Boris. Here’s a blow-by-blow analysis.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 8, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: Breaking the Boom
1100 hours – Breaking the boom. Steve and Linda are kicking themselves for passing up Acapulco!
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 8, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: Halfway There
2100 hours/Halfway to San Diego – A great sail (top speed 28.5 knots), and since it looks like they’ve got 48 hours of good weather ahead, they decide to skip Acapulco.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 7, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: 1560 Miles to Go
1560 miles to go – Six hours in the same squall, and the GPS and speedometer finally agree.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 7, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: Issues with Range under Power
2100 hours – Considering BEOWULF’s range under power.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 6, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: 1700 Miles to Go
1700 miles to go – Finally getting a chance to sail.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 6, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: 2000 Miles to Go
2000 miles to go – Taking advantage of the squall activity to catch some rain water (after clearing the decks of squid and flying fish).
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 5, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: 2248 Miles to Go
2248 miles to go – Mother Nature puts on a good show.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 4, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego: Brownies Offset Wind on the Nose
1900 hours – A double batch of brownies, and the tropical wave moves off to the west.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 4, 2002) | Comments (0)
Panama to San Diego Passage: 2350 Miles to Go
2350 miles to go – Crew is in fine spirits despite unsettled weather conditions.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 3, 2002) | Comments (0)
Leaving Panama
Provisioning in Panama, checking out the new Marina Flamenco, and making some compromises for the weather.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 1, 2002) | Comments (0)
Through the Panama Canal
Check out photos from a live web cam of BEOWULF transiting the Panama Canal.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 31, 2002) | Comments (0)
Celestial Events over Panama
A breathtaking sunrise with the mountains of Panama close off the port beam.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 28, 2002) | Comments (0)
Caribbean to Panama: Weather Forecasters and Models are Wrong
Looks like the forecasters and models are all wrong.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 27, 2002) | Comments (0)
Caribbean to Panama Passage: Day 1
First day en route to Panama: Great sailing, good movies, and a lovely full moon.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 25, 2002) | Comments (0)
Beowulf’s Back in the Water after 5 Months on the Hard
Gateway PC Update
An update on the new Gateway PC. (updated May 3, 2002)
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 25, 2002) | Comments (0)
Don’t Wait to Go Cruising – Go Now!
How to make the cruising lifestyle economically feasible.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 19, 2002) | Comments (0)
Researching Worldwide Weather Patterns and Making Plans
It looks like 2002 is shaping up to be an El Nino year. As Steve and Linda are trying to decide where to go when BEOWULF is relaunched next month, they’re checking out worldwide weather patterns. (with links)
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 14, 2002) | Comments (0)
Medical Supplies
In all our years of cruising, we’re happy to report we’ve never used any of the serious medical stuff we carry aboard. By now, the total of supplies we’ve either thrown or given away amounts to thousands of dollars. Even the rubber and metal products have had to be replaced several times. Yet we still carry this stuff, hoping we’ll never need it.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 22, 2002) | Comments (0)
Which Computer?
Boat Watching at Simpson Lagoon
Indulge in some boat-watching in Simpson Lagoon on St. Martin, where Linda and Steve admire the magnificent SWAN.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 2, 2002) | Comments (0)
Electronics
Steve and Linda discuss their electronics priorities.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 8, 2002) | Comments (0)
Winter Dreaming
BEOWULF is hauled out, so the Dashews are daydreaming. With the help of weather/routing software, they simulate passages in the Caribbean and around Cape Horn.
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 19, 2002) | Comments (0)
Man (or Woman) Overboard
Steve and Linda’s strategies for what they would do if one of them fell overboard.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 31, 2001) | Comments (0)
Powering Up
We’ve been looking for the edge of the short-handed cruising envelope for a lot of years. Improvements in sail handling gear, materials, and our own experience have allowed us to push the horizon further and further. And even though BEOWULF looks pretty aggressive for a couple of grandparents, she is not yet at the edge of what the two of us can handle.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 21, 2001) | Comments (0)
Satellite Phones Face Off
Globalstar vs. Iridium: The Great Face-Off.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 15, 2001) | Comments (0)
Last Sail
The winter trades finally appear, in time for a lovely sail from St. Martin back to the British Virgins, where BEOWULF will be hauled out for the winter.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 7, 2001) | Comments (0)
Life Rafts
The Dashews have always been conflicted about life rafts. Find out why they don’t like them but still have one.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 2001) | Comments (0)
Cruiser’s Thanksgiving
Before the fleet disperses, Steve and Linda join friends from 15 boats for an unforgettable Thanksgiving potluck.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 23, 2001) | Comments (0)
The Fat Lady Has Sung: Caribbean 1500 Race Results
The final results of the Caribbean 1500, where motoring speed and range were a big issue for the fleet.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 20, 2001) | Comments (0)
Land Ho! Caribbean 1500 Fleet Arrives in Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor is awash in waves and heartfelt welcomes as the Caribbean 1500 fleet begins to arrive.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 16, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean 1500: Crossing the Finish Line
Yesterday BEOWULF crossed the finish line, shaving five hours off her time from last year. Find out what Steve and Linda attribute this to.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 14, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean 1500: Final Day
48 miles to go and BEOWULF is getting a workout.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 13, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean 1500: Some Folks Have All the Luck!
298 miles to go…Steve and Linda share how they’re using the info provided by the new SetSail-MaxSea software in their decision-making process.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 12, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean 1500: The Lottery Has Arrived
The Dashews have a tricky decision to make in terms of weather tactics…Plus they reveal one of their "secret weapons".
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 11, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean 1500 Weather Factors
A heads up on some weather that could affect the Caribbean 1500 race/rally. Stay tuned for daily updates.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 2, 2001) | Comments (0)
Hampton, Virginia
The Hampton Municipal Piers are humming with 50-some participants, including BEOWULF, their crew busy with last-minute preparations for this year’s Caribbean 1500.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 31, 2001) | Comments (0)
Security Issues to Consider while Cruising
We’re headed back to the boat (in Norfolk, VA) in the next few days and are in our usual pre-going-away period of trying to get our respective desks cleared off. It will be really nice to get away from the daily overdose of news to which we subject ourselves when there are televisions close at hand. (Such equipment is banned from the boat for exactly this reason.) And, of course, the usual list of pre-departure projects, check lists and stocking up will keep us occupied and away from the news.
The two of us have been having some dialog about our philosophy of self-defense, in light of the “new reality” in which we all find ourselves. When we cruised years ago, and the kids were little, we looked at this in the same way we dealt with our medical kit. We were well prepared for almost any eventuality, and hoped like hell we’d never have to use that preparedness.
But with the kids on their own, the defense mechanism tends to moderate. On the other hand, the hassle of carrying an arsenal continues-there can be a lot of paperwork and running around when clearing in and out-if you have guns aboard. So, in recent times we’ve changed our approach to this very controversial subject.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 26, 2001) | Comments (0)
New Routing Tool
In the process of getting ready for their Virginia-to-Caribbean passage, the Dashews are using an exciting new weather routing tool–which is revolutionizing the way they plan their passages.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 20, 2001) | Comments (0)
Watching Weather Rhythms for Chesapeake-Caribbean Passage
Watching the weather to head from Norfolk, Virginia back to the Caribbean.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 18, 2001) | Comments (0)
New World, New Cruising Plans
New technology, new plans. (Posted 19 Oct 01)
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 11, 2001) | Comments (0)
Boat Yard Diet
Boat Yard Diet…BEOWULF, Steve, and Linda all lose some weight. (Photos.)
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 28, 2001) | Comments (0)
Cruising Grounds and Geopolitics
How Steve and Linda are re-considering their cruising grounds in light of changes in the world.
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 27, 2001) | Comments (0)
Priorities when Planning to Go Cruising
Reflections after last week’s terrorist attacks.
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 18, 2001) | Comments (0)
Red Right Returning – Not!
Red Right Returning–Not! A warning against talking on the cell phone while piloting through rocky waters.
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 14, 2001) | Comments (0)
Cruising Without Engine: Pros & Cons
The Dashews write about whether or not to go cruising without an engine.
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 14, 2001) | Comments (0)
Chasing Down an Elusive Oil Leak
It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been fighting this mother of all wars for five long, hard years. But yesterday we tasted the sweetest of all fruits-Victory!
Yes, friends, after running our Yanmar diesel hard (2800 rpm continuously) for an hour, not a trace of oil was to be found. Danny, our miracle-working mechanic from Billings had indeed found the elusive oil leak which has plagued us since launching BEOWULF in New Zealand. And now our engine sump will stay CLEAN!
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 7, 2001) | Comments (0)
It’s the Maine Thing…
Enjoying some stunningly beautiful anchorages in Maine, and BEOWULF gets a tune-up at an excellent boat yard. (With Photos.)
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 25, 2001) | Comments (0)
Reefing
We’ve used slab reefing on our mains (and mizzens) on all of our boats going back to the 1970s. We’ve looked at in the mast and in the boom systems as they’ve come along and worked out their bugs, but have yet to see anything as fast, reliable, light, or inexpensive as good old slab reefing.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 17, 2001) | Comments (0)
Cruising in Maine
Maine seamanship techniques, and the difference between cabins, camps, and shacks. The hazards of Lobster Pots. (Reader response and new photo posted 18 September 2001)
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 17, 2001) | Comments (0)
All Things Being Equal (Batteries)
As we’re cruising on the East Coast and occasionally reading the New York Times, we feel it behooves us to be politically correct. We are already at a disadvantage in this regard due to the fact we have no burgee halyards to either masthead, and so cannot fly our owner’s signal or yacht club pennant correctly. The situation is made worse by the fact that in the land of Hinkleys we have neither varnish on deck, overhangs fore and aft, nor polished blue topsides.
We woke up this morning pondering this problem when Linda had an epiphany. “We’ll equalize the batteries! It’s been three months, they are overdue, and there are bound to be one or two cells lower than the rest, which has to be depressing for the poor dears.”
So, we’ve been sitting in this lovely anchorage in Somes Sound, with the smells of the verdant forest wafting around us on deck, and the smells of batteries being equalized wafting below. We started the process this morning at 0900, and should be done by 1300.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 10, 2001) | Comments (0)
Drying Clothes on the Boat
To all you SetSailors who are into washer/dryers on your boats, we’ve got an update on our ventless dryer.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 10, 2001) | Comments (0)
Headed to Maine
The Dashews and BEOWULF head up the coast to Maine, where they plan to catch up on some much-needed R&R.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 3, 2001) | Comments (0)
Martha’s Vineyard
In Martha’s Vineyard, BEOWULF is sharing the Edgartown anchorage with hundreds of other boats. Find out why the Dashews chose not to moor, and what anchoring tricks they used to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Posted by Steve Dashew (July 30, 2001) | Comments (0)
Some of This Stuff Really Works!
We’re anchored in Newport, Rhode Island, to say hi to some friends and take care of some business. A pleasant couple of sails and anchorages have allowed leisure time to review a couple of the things we’ve been testing, and the results are positive.
Posted by Steve Dashew (July 20, 2001) | Comments (0)
Globalstar Phone System
Reviewing the Globalstar phone system. (Reader responses posted 18 September 2001)
Posted by Steve Dashew (July 6, 2001) | Comments (0)
Roller Furling
It took a long time for us to become fans of roller furling. However, starting with Beowulf, the combination of the size and weight of her sails, and the increasing reluctance to get salt water on our bodies, forced us to take a harder look at this gear.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 23, 2001) | Comments (0)
Spending Priorities
Spending Priorities: A lot of folks getting ready to go cruising have been asking us about how to prioritize the budget. Here are the Dashews’ ideas on the subject.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 9, 2001) | Comments (0)
Communications in the 21st Century – A Benefit or a Curse?
Benefit or Curse? Steve and Linda write about 21st century cruising communications.
Posted by Steve Dashew (June 2, 2001) | Comments (0)
Piracy
How the Dashews would deal with a pirate attack. Their approach is different today than in the past when sailing with children aboard.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 18, 2001) | Comments (0)
Abeam the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Bermuda to Chesapeake: Exiting the Gulf Stream
Exiting the Gulf Stream, and assessing the MaxSea software.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 13, 2001) | Comments (0)