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.

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.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (May 12, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Antigua to Bermuda Passage: Weather Window Looks Good

(Later in the day.) Weather scenario improves, and final preparations for the passage.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (May 11, 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (April 29, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Antigua

Two great daysails from Martinique to Antigua, and observations from boat-watching heaven.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (April 21, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Chafe

How the Dashews have solved chafing problems.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (April 15, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Salt Water Ballast Tanks

Singing the praises of salt water ballast (with photos of St. Lucia).

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (April 1, 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.

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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.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (March 17, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Bequia: Nice Cruising Destination

Picking up the local flavor of Bequia.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (March 10, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Sailing to Bequia

Sailing off the anchor at Union Island, and now en route for Bequia, where old and new friends await.

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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.

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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.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (February 25, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Sailing Towards Grenada

(Part 2) NE breeze makes for a nice tight reach to Grenada.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (February 24, 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (February 16, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Arrival in Curacao after Four Days of Beating to Weather

Arrival in Curacao.

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (February 13, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Panama to Caribbean Passage Day 3

Tacking and wind shifts finally make for a more pleasant sail.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (January 14, 2000)    |    Comments (0)

Cruising in the 21st Century

Cruising in the 21st Century (sent from Manzanillo, Mexico)

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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

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Posted by Steve Dashew  (January 6, 2000)    |    Comments (0)