Awaiting the wind shift, and racing with the front.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 12, 2001) | 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.
Bermuda to Chesapeake: Storm Covers on Hatches & Ready to Go
BEOWULF’s storm covers are secured over her hatches, and she’s ready to go…
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 11, 2001) | Comments (0)
Clear of the Bermudan Reefs
1000 EST – Clear of the Bermudan reefs, with the high appearing to fill in from the west.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 11, 2001) | Comments (0)
Bermuda to Chesapeake Passage: Reevaluating Weather Tactics with Surprising Forecast
1622 EST – The 48-hour forecast is a bit surprising, causing the Dashews to re-evaluate their tactics.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 11, 2001) | Comments (0)
Sailing from Bermuda to Chesapeake: The Weather Puzzle
Trying to figure out the weather puzzle to decide the best time to leave Bermuda (with the help of some new routing software).
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 10, 2001) | Comments (0)
Unforecast Weather in Bermuda Teaches 3 Valuable Lessons
When the eye of the storm unexpectedly passes over St. David’s Harbor, the Dashews are re-acquainted with three valuable lessons.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 9, 2001) | Comments (0)
Storm-Bound in Bermuda
What’s the big deal with 30 to 40 knots of wind in the Gulf Stream?
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 7, 2001) | Comments (0)
Snugged Down at Anchor in Bermuda
0400 EDT – The baromoter continues to fall, but BEOWULF is safe and sound at anchor.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 6, 2001) | Comments (0)
Weather Risk Assessment 120 Miles from Bermuda
1900 EDT – 120 miles from Bermuda, the Dashews discuss the issue of risk assessment in weather analysis.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 5, 2001) | Comments (0)
Approaching Bermuda: Boat Speed Is Our Friend
0740 EDT – Approaching Bermuda, and checking in with the boats 50-80 miles to leeward of BEOWULF’s position.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 5, 2001) | Comments (0)
Sailing to Bermuda: Weather Sources
1430 EDT – The fax charts and the baromoter agree for once.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 4, 2001) | Comments (0)
Best Approach to Bermuda, Testing New Gyro
0900 EDT – Deciding how best to approach Bermuda, and testing the new WH Gyro.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 4, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean to Bermuda Passage: Motorsailing Towards Center of Squall Line
1700 EDT – Motorsailing towards the center of the squall line.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 3, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean Passage: Towards Bermuda or Chesapeake?
0800 EDT – The Globalstar phone is working surprisingly well for downloading weather data from the Internet.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 3, 2001) | Comments (0)
Caribbean to Bermuda: Approaching Boundary of Gulf Stream Front
Caribbean to Bermuda: Gulf Stream Weather Factors
1100 EDT – The forecasters are warning of another potentially major storm over the Gulf Stream. The crew of BEOWULF are weighing three different options for how to handle it.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 3, 2001) | Comments (0)
Quick Stop in Marigot, St. Martin
The weather scanario improves in time for Steve’s birthday, and the MaxSea routing software predicts a 6-day trip.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 2, 2001) | Comments (0)
Antigua-Norfolk: Avoiding Severe Weather
Weather Alert!: BEOWULF is underway, but the Dashews see the potential for severe weather. Find out the weather situation and how they choose to deal with it.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 1, 2001) | Comments (0)
Antigua to Norfolk: Preparing for Passage
BEOWULF is preparing to sail from Antigua to Norfolk, VA, and the Dashews will be testing some interesting new equipment en route. Check back for daily updates during the passage.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 30, 2001) | Comments (0)
Mari Cha Breaks Beowulf’s Guadaloupe-Antigua Race Record
Back in Antigua, BEOWULF has a showdown with the ultra-fast carbon-fiber ketch Mari Cha III.
Posted by Steve Dashew (April 27, 2001) | Comments (0)
Environmental Impact of Cruising Lifestyle
An irate email received at SetSail recently prompts Steve to write about the environmental impact cruisers leave in the countries they visit.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 30, 2001) | Comments (0)
Lost Containers and Other Risks at Sea
Lost containers (and other risks at sea)…and what to do about them.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 23, 2001) | Comments (0)
Spare Parts to Carry On Board
How to decide what spare parts to carry aboard. Also, an interview with the co-skippers of Club Med, the Maxi Cat that just won the ’round-the-world "Race", about how ingenuity can help when spare parts are lacking.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 9, 2001) | Comments (0)
Replacing our EPIRB
Steve and Linda need to replace their old EPIRB, and are debating between the new EPIRBs and GPIRBs. This week, they discuss some of the issues.
Posted by Steve Dashew (March 2, 2001) | Comments (0)
Parachute Anchor Controversy
The Dashews’ analysis of parachute anchors in Surviving the Storm has set off a controversy…Here, Steve and Linda revisit the subject.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 16, 2001) | Comments (0)
Explorer Parking Technique
Practicing the "Explorer Parking Technique".
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 12, 2001) | Comments (0)
A Magazine for Weather Junkies
Steve writes about NOAA’s "Mariner’s Weather Log." If you’re a weather junkie, you’ll love this magazine.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 9, 2001) | Comments (0)
Cost of Cruising
The Dashews tackle the question, "How much does it really cost to go cruising?"
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 2, 2001) | Comments (0)
Lessons from Racing
Leaving the Boat
Steve and Linda got a shot of adrenaline when they returned to the marina where BEOWULF had sat for six weeks, and couldn’t find the boat! The episode inspired them to write a report with tips for leaving the boat for extended periods.
Posted by Steve Dashew (January 12, 2001) | Comments (0)
Leaky Chainplates
Some innovative tips for dealing with leaky chainplates.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 29, 2000) | Comments (0)
Cruising in the Fast Lane
The Dashews are getting up to speed trimming Beowulf’s new sails, and have some amazing results to share…with photos.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 22, 2000) | Comments (0)
Getting There: Reflections on Passages vs. Arrivals
Rediscovering the joy of sailing without an engine.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 15, 2000) | Comments (0)
Cruising Like the Old Days
In Anguilla Steve and Linda find an island as charming and laid back as the lands they remember from their early days of cruising.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 8, 2000) | Comments (0)
Caribbean Sailing: Winter Trades Arrive and Pressure is Building
The pressure starts to build…Scoping out the competition for the upcoming Guadaloupe-Antigua race. Also, investigating the scene at St. Barts, a playground for the "beautiful people" and their beautiful boats.
Posted by Steve Dashew (December 1, 2000) | Comments (0)
Thanksgiving on St. Martin
Thanksgiving in St. Martin, where the Dashews are thankful for a healthy family, a strong, fast boat, and moderate tradewinds.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 23, 2000) | Comments (0)
Caribbean 1500 Epilogue
It’s official! Beowulf now holds the record in the Caribbean 1500. Plus, the Dashews discuss the pros and cons of rally cruising.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 20, 2000) | Comments (0)
British Virgin Islands Before the Crowds
Enjoying the British Virgin Islands during off season, before it gets innundated with charter boats.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 18, 2000) | Comments (0)
Chesapeake to Caribbean: Arrival in Virgin Gorda with New Record
Arrival in Virgin Gorda in a new (unofficial) record.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 11, 2000) | Comments (0)
Beowulf in Caribbean 1500: Wind Dies in Center of High
Beowulf sails into the center of the high, which has sucked away all the wind. But Linda and Steve stilll have hopes of breaking the record. Meanwhile, they’re using their "vacuum packer" to pack away cool-weather clothes.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 10, 2000) | Comments (0)
Chesapeake to Caribbean: Beowulf’s Nicest Passage Ever?
Playing the squalls for wind helped Beowulf do a steady 20 knots last night, while enjoying one of the nicest passages ever.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 9, 2000) | Comments (0)
Chesapeake to Caribbean Seamanship Tactics: Hitting the Corners
Hitting the Corners…Beowulf’s tactical options are becoming more limited as they close with the British Virgins.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 8, 2000) | Comments (0)
Chesapeake to Caribbean Passage: Where Are the Northeast Trades?
Tradewind Sailing in Caribbean 1500
The weather faxes are totally off the wall relative to what Beowulf is sailing in.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 7, 2000) | Comments (0)
Weather Tactics in Caribbean 1500 Rally
Playing with the water ballast system. Beowulf is ahead of the other racers, but hoping not to get caught in the center of the high.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 7, 2000) | Comments (0)
Chesapeake to Caribbean Seamanship Tactics: Angle is Everything!
Angle is Everything!…Steve and Linda share the tactics they’ve been using for the first 24 hours of the race.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 6, 2000) | Comments (0)
Chesapeake to Caribbean Passage: Last-Minute Preparations
There’s a flurry of activity, getting ready for the the Caribbean 1500 race/rally.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 2, 2000) | Comments (0)
Weather Watch: Preparing to Return to the Caribbean
After being gone for 5 weeks, Steve and Linda are happy to be back aboard Beowulf in Norfolk, Virginia.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 30, 2000) | Comments (0)
The Mother of All O-Ring Battles
In "The Mother of all O-Ring Battles," the Dashews learn that the easy approach is often the best.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 27, 2000) | Comments (0)
Tips for Working with Marine Contractors
The Dashews did a lot of work this summer with various marine trades. In this report they share what they would have done differently, and what they did right.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 20, 2000) | Comments (0)
Seagoing Washing Machines
Probably the most critical piece of cruising gear, the one which we cannot do without, is the washing machine. (Okay, Steve would do without, but Linda is much more civilized.)
For years we’ve used the Spendide washer/drier combo on various boats we’ve built. The unit on Beowulf has 28,000 miles on it. Since the motion at sea is even harder on the innards than anything which happens in actual washing, it has finally been starting to show its age.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 14, 2000) | Comments (0)
Metal Boats: Welding in the Water
Welding in the water…The Dashews recently did some welding work on Beowulf. Here are a few notes on the process.
Posted by Steve Dashew (October 6, 2000) | Comments (0)
The “Ultimate” Sleep System
Even the bunk cushions aboard Beowulf are high-tech. Here’s a report on her newly redesigned "sleep system!"
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 29, 2000) | Comments (0)
Testing Beowulf’s Radical New Sails
What Steve and Linda learned after testing Beowulf’s radical new sails. (posted 23 September 00)
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 23, 2000) | Comments (0)
Norfolk, VA: Preparing Beowulf for Hurricane Florence
It’s been a quiet hurricane season so far, but it looks like it could soon get interesting. In Norfolk, Virginia, the Dashews prepare Beowulf, just in case.
Posted by Steve Dashew (September 13, 2000) | Comments (0)
Navigating around Lobster Pots
Beowulf Maintenance Update
Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion
The Dashews are inspired after visiting a museum in Bristol dedicated to the great yacht designer Nathaniele Herreshoff.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 25, 2000) | Comments (0)
Nantucket Bucket
Here’s the skinny on the Nantucket Bucket race.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 17, 2000) | Comments (0)
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
Morning. A funnel cloud provides a shot of adrenaline.
Posted by Steve Dashew (May 12, 2000) | Comments (0)