We’ve known Ed Dubois for a long time, since before he made his name with early mega sailboats like Aquel, launched in New Zealand about the same time we were wrapping up the metal work on Sundeer, circa 1987-88. Most of the mega sailboats since have been rounded off on deck, what we’d call Euro-style, […]
Tag Archives | Dashew Offshore
An FPB Opportunity
At Dashew Offshore our goal has always been to build the perfect cruising yacht; delivered on time, within budget, without surprises, resulting in a contented client. To make this unique approach to the yacht building business successful, we have to purposely limit our sales, something that many would find counter-intuitive given the demand for FPBs. […]
Using The Dinghy As A Tug – Lessons From The Maine Windjammers
Most of the Maine windjammers don’t have an engine, which is the way things should be in the best of all possible worlds. They maneuver in and out of some very tight harbors–Camden comes to mind–fitting their unwieldy hull shapes and tiny (in scale) rudders into some surprising situations. For the most part they maneuver […]
Sailor’s Heritage
We are anchored in Rockland Harbor, Maine, it’s blowing near gale force and raining of course, courtesy of what’s left of hurricane Issac. A speck on the horizon grows rapidly in size, as a schooner fore-reaches towards shelter. Outer and inner jibs drawing, main and foresail taut, gaffs beautifully twisted off, she is a sight to […]
Sundeer 64 Cutter Szél – A Blast From The Past
We were cruising down Maine’s Eggemoggin Reach, having a Skype conversation with New Zealand regarding the exhaust system on the FPB 97, when we noticed a cool looking roach profile heading towards us. Having just spent several invigorating days watching working schooners with gaff rigs and topsails, an early platform not too far from the […]
Sunday Morning Sights
Last night it was blowing a gale, raining of course, and we moved to the southern (windward) end of Rockland Harbor. We are sharing this tranquil corner with four of the local windjammers. After a late night listening to the unheralded Arizona Wildcats dismantle the ranked Oklahoma State football team (the game started at 2230 […]
Smith Cove – Trying To Recover
Yesterday was supposed to be a quiet day, one in which we could regain our equilibrium, which had been overwhelmed by the previous evening’s sunset. The day started off well enough. A local out for an early row. A few early overhead passes on which to practice. Even a lone eagle, too far away to […]
FPB 64s Six Through Nine – Steady Progress Toward Launching
With all the excitement about the start of construction on the first FPB 97, it is easy to forget about the four FPB 64s currently in various stages of construction. We’ll start with FPB 64-6 and then move on to the other boats. Shown above is the fresh water pressure pump setup: twin pumps, so […]
Solar Output Averages In Maine And A New Record
We’ve got high pressure to our west generating northerly winds, so the solar panels are facing south, an ideal situation for a little angle. With the sun due to arrive over the equator in a few days we eyeballed 45 degrees of angle. The results were immediate and positive. At 1030 sun time (1130 local with […]
Smith Cove, and The Most Beautiful Sunset, Perhaps Ever
We have been witness to wonderful sunsets over the past 35 years of cruising. From Cocos Keeling in the Indian Ocean, to Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas, Prince William Sound in Alaska, to Greenland’s Disco Bay, we’ve been thrilled, chilled, and awe struck. But nothing compares to what we just experienced here in prosaic Smith […]
