Brushes with Celebrity - The Dashew Edition

MV Cochise (Setsail.com photo)

Before we went cruising I tracked down and read all of Steve and Linda Dashew's sailing books.  I always admired his designs but sadly even his old boats were well out of our price range.

He makes motor yachts now but with some of the same design philosophy he applied to his sailboats and I still read his blog from time to time.  It was a nice surprise then to see MV Cochise, Steve and Linda's own personal yacht and first in the new line of FPB78's, anchor near us at Musket Cove.

Victoria and went over with Russel and Jayia from SV Tika to say hello.  As we hoped, we were invited onboard for a tour.  Steve and Linda cruised when their children were young so it was no surprise that they were great with the children.  When Steve found out that Victoria draws sailboats and hopes to build her own someday she was invited back the next day to talk boat designs !

Steve and Linda were heading out for some trials and photo shoot with Moonshadow's (an early Dashew design) drone and, to my delight, I was invited along for the day sail.  What an impressive machine.  You can see the photos from the daysail here:  http://www.setsail.com/fpb-78-1-cochise-our-dream-machine/#more-40903http://www.setsail.com/fpb-78-1-cochise-our-dream-machine/#more-40903

Steve Dashew and Victoria talking boat design.  They took Victoria's hand drawings and put them into the CAD system. Very cool !

Russel from Tika and Steve Dashew in what has to be the nicest engine room ever.

Linda Dashew talking cruising with the kids.

Fluenta from the helm of Cochise.

Serving your Yard Time - Maintenance Update with Child Labour plus Fiji Gold

Cruising isn't all margaritas on the beach ... We left Fluenta in the yard at Vuda Point when we went back to Canada so it was an ideal time for me to catch up on maintenance while Liz and the kids stayed back in Canada for a few extra weeks.

I did not take a lot of pictures of the yard time but here are a few:

Hull waxing does not always get to the top of the maintenance list but it sure looks nice when it is done.

In the "pit".  The keel rests in the pit below the boat.

I found a cracked toggle so I replaced all the lower shroud toggles with these shiny Haynes toggles. 

New battery monitor to replace the 20 year old one the boat came with (it is not calibrated in the picture so do not pay attention to the numbers).  It is showing the state of the house bank plus voltages for the engine and windlass banks.

I looked around the yard one day and realised I was the only one there ... the last few minutes of the Olympic gold medal game in rugby.  Fiji won and a national holiday was declared.

And it had better be a real emergency ... Fiji shuts down to watch the rugby

And Vuda Point puts Fiji Gold (a popular local brand) on sale for $2Fijian (about $1.50 Canadian) after the gold medal win.

Thanks to Tim I was able to escape the yard for a bit and go spearfishing from Exodus.  Doing the 22 pushups for 22 days for PTSD awareness for veterans.

Liz and the kids return with six of seven bags.  Hoisting the bags on Fluenta.

I am sure this is safe - removing the wind generator so the travel lift can back out while balanced on top of the ladder.

Victoria putting new ball bearings into the spinnaker pole traveler car

Johnathan and I doing the static rig tune.

Six monthly windlass service with Victoria.

Re-attaching the SSB antenna

Fixing the wiring for the galley.

Rig inspection time once back in the water.

Back in the water.

And more departures, SY Breeze heads east from Fiji.  We first met them in La Cruz in our first year in Mexico.

Here is the dump from my maintenance spreadsheet for maintenance completed since leaving New Zealand in mid May. 

Date	Maintenance	Periodicity	Category
16-May-16	Regulator – change absorption min to 60 min but drop ffl to 25		electrical
16-May-16	spinnaker holes – 2x near tack		Watermaker
16-May-16	changed WM pleated filter		Watermaker
18-May-16	purge WM of air – low pressure and output		Watermaker
20-May-16	air in WM lines – replaced out of round elbow on intake service valve with hose mender and rescue tape		Watermaker
20-May-16	purge WM of air – low pressure and output – fix leak in prefilter bowl fitting		Watermaker
20-May-16	Leak at WM filter housing – reset		Watermaker
22-May-16	check alternator belt tension	25	engine
22-May-16	check engine mount nuts	50	engine
22-May-16	topped up oil: 3/4 to Full		engine
22-May-16	check air filter		engine
22-May-16	port main winch – reset transmission
27-May-16	compass swing
2-Jun-16	Oil (100 hrs) - 7.95L of oil	125	engine
2-Jun-16	check alternator belt tension	25	engine
2-Jun-16	engine air filter check	125	engine
2-Jun-16	alternator x 3 and starter - check wiring	125	engine
2-Jun-16	clean reefer strainer and bowl	2 Mon	reefer
2-Jun-16	Engine zinc	30 days	Engine
2-Jun-16	Oil cooler zinc	30 days	Engine
2-Jun-16	Battery water - fwd - 60 days	60 days
2-Jun-16	engine water strainer	30 days	Engine
2-Jun-16	Outboard 15 hpanode	6 mon	outboard
2-Jun-16	check fuel filter bowls	Monthly	Engine
2-Jun-16	Battery water - aft - 60 days	60 days
2-Jun-16	port settee leather repair		sewing
2-Jun-16	WM Membrane mounting
2-Jun-16	alternator regulator settings – increase Absorb Time
2-Jun-16	reset alternator reg error codes
2-Jun-16	aft cockpit lazerette cover – replace fasteners
2-Jun-16	WM strainer
2-Jun-16	deckwash sea strainer
2-Jun-16	Reefer drain strainer
3-Jun-16	cockpit cushion - repair port fwd		sewing
3-Jun-16	redo RHIB tube patches
3-Jun-16	longer running sheet with doughnut
3-Jun-16	patch hole in spinnaker – up from foot approx 1/3 aft
4-Jun-16	lifesling cover		sewing
4-Jun-16	rerig fishng gear
4-Jun-16	wire autopilot negative
16-Jun-16	ratcheting sound on starting outboard – moved lever and checked cord spring		outboard
16-Jun-16	new bands for speargun
23-Jun-16	RHIB Fuel tank – tie down straps – light lines with snaps under seat and eye strap to seat
25-Jun-16	restich edging port dodger side panel
26-Jun-16	clean hull and waterline
27-Jun-16	test rudder torque
1-Jul-16	hull/Prop clean	Monthly
3-Jul-16	Engine zinc	30 days	Engine
3-Jul-16	Oil cooler zinc	30 days	Engine
3-Jul-16	engine water strainer	30 days	Engine
3-Jul-16	Battery water - start battery - 60 days	120 days
3-Jul-16	Battery water - aft - 60 days	60 days
	YARD PERIOD
30-Jul-16	Battery water - fwd - 60 days	60 days
30-Jul-16	Battery water - aft - 60 days	60 days
31-Jul-16	blocks instead of snatch blocks for preventor		rigging
3-Aug-16	replace autopilot computer		Electronics
3-Aug-16	tension deck tie rod fr aft lowers		Rigging
3-Aug-16	main sheet ratchet block cam cleat – repair		Rigging
4-Aug-16	cracked lower aft shroud toggle -replace all four with Hayns fittings		Rigging
5-Aug-16	snack cupboard – latch
7-Aug-16	port side cabin -overhead light		electrical
7-Aug-16	v berth ceiling light		electrical
7-Aug-16	fwd passageway ceiling light		electrical
7-Aug-16	fwd head ceiling light		electrical
7-Aug-16	Clasp – stbd hanging locker
7-Aug-16	clear drain from mast base
8-Aug-16	chart table - 12V plug		electrical
8-Aug-16	chart table – AIS USB		electrical
8-Aug-16	chart table – NME2000 to USB		electrical
8-Aug-16	saloon stbd light – epoxy in new mount fwd
8-Aug-16	fill and redrill mount for saloon center trim
10-Aug-16	PSS shaft seal – clean/check face and check condition of bellows	12 mon	haulout
10-Aug-16	check fuel filter bowls	Monthly	Engine
10-Aug-16	blue sea battery monitor		electrical
10-Aug-16	connect start battery to volt meter		electrical
10-Aug-16	connect windlass battery to volt meter		electrical
10-Aug-16	check cutlass bearing		haulout
11-Aug-16	Service max prop - Mar 2016	12 mon	haulout
11-Aug-16	Steering cable tightness - check quarterly	3 mon	Lazerrete
11-Aug-16	Prop/shaft zincs – replace aft and max prop. Fwd is fine. Removed and sanded shaft underneath	2 mon
11-Aug-16	Lubricate and inspect steering cable	6 mon	Lazerrete
11-Aug-16	Lubricate and inspect steering chain	6 mon
11-Aug-16	install “testing” wires for autopilot solenoid		electrical
11-Aug-16	rudder quadrant stops – enlarge – hose and packing		steering
11-Aug-16	steering cable – align helm		steering
11-Aug-16	tighten safety nut on stbd side of steering quadrant		steering
11-Aug-16	clean prop shaft and removal material fouling the cutless bearing		haulout
11-Aug-16	genoa uv strip – checked by Marshall Sails		sails
12-Aug-16	engine air filter check	125	engine
12-Aug-16	Engine zinc	30 days	Engine
12-Aug-16	Oil cooler zinc	30 days	Engine
12-Aug-16	engine water strainer	30 days	Engine
12-Aug-16	clean reefer strainer and bowl	2 Mon	reefer
12-Aug-16	boot on engine alternator positive		electrical
12-Aug-16	new chartplotter		Electronics
12-Aug-16	caulk around mast base in cabin
15-Aug-16	rebed chain plate backstay		rebed
15-Aug-16	rebed emergency tiller access		rebed
15-Aug-16	rebed SSB antena deck gland		rebed
15-Aug-16	Rebed -hyd hose		rebed
15-Aug-16	Rebed – port fwd window		rebed
15-Aug-16	recaulk around all windows		rebed
15-Aug-16	recaulk around stbd handrail		rebed
15-Aug-16	recaulk around port handrail		rebed
15-Aug-16	chafe repair on stbd jib sheet		Rigging
15-Aug-16	spinnaker doughnut on running sheet		Rigging
15-Aug-16	add missing bolts to stbd deck box
15-Aug-16	new latch for stbd deck box
15-Aug-16	eye straps on dockbox aft side
16-Aug-16	retap bolt for aft hatch
17-Aug-16	clean/polish prop		haulout
18-Aug-16	straps for SUP bag		sewing
18-Aug-16	Tackline attachment for staysail bag		sewing
18-Aug-16	rhib fuel tank cover		sewing
18-Aug-16	paint engine/transmission
18-Aug-16	leak under port electric winch panel
19-Aug-16	check alternator belt tension -tightened both sides	25	engine
19-Aug-16	Reefer lid repair – 52.6 x 51.1 cm		carpenter
19-Aug-16	floor board pulls - replace x 3
20-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - 23	12 mon	winch
20-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - port 27 Halyard	12 mon	winch
20-Aug-16	clear panel behind companionway ladder – 43 cm x 66 cm		carpenter
20-Aug-16	Rebed – handrail port side fwd – especially near main bulkhead		rebed
21-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - stbd 27 main sheet	12 mon	winch
21-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - stbd 27 outboard	12 mon	winch
21-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - stbd 28	12 mon	winch
21-Aug-16	Rebed – toerail aft of fwd lower chainplate and into area behind mirror		rebed
22-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - port 28	12 mon	winch
22-Aug-16	saloon fan - port side - wiring		electrical
22-Aug-16	nut on port handrail fastener – replace
23-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - port 36	12 mon	winch
23-Aug-16	Overhaul winch - stbd 36	12 mon	winch
24-Aug-16	replace stripped screws in deckhead
24-Aug-16	Honda generator - paint exhaust
25-Aug-16	bimini infill track - replace
26-Aug-16	dingy patches		rhib
26-Aug-16	safety line on preventor blocks		rigging
26-Aug-16	rain catcher/rain cover for saloon hatches - inside of lower shrouds to dodger		sewing
26-Aug-16	mask light on CO monitor
27-Aug-16	hull waxing
28-Aug-16	Pressure water filter	4 mon
29-Aug-16	Outboard 15 hp gear oil	6 mon	outboard
29-Aug-16	Outboard 15 hp grease plus corrosion spray on throttle cables	6 mon	outboard
29-Aug-16	Outboard 15 hp – service		outboard
30-Aug-16	Yamaha 2hp - 20 hr/3 mon maintenance - gear oil, greasing points, water from tell tale,		outboard
30-Aug-16	Yamaha 2hp - annual service plug fogging for storage	12 mon	outboard
30-Aug-16	touch up ob paint – tilt bolt/nuts		outboard
31-Aug-16	chafe guard for foreguy on cabin top		ss
31-Aug-16	chafe guard – anchor/stem		ss
31-Aug-16	fix deck by fwd lower shroud
2-Sep-16	lubricate seacocks - http://www.morganscloud.com/2015/04/26/seacock-lubrication-tip/		haulout
2-Sep-16	bottom paint		haulout
2-Sep-16	check seacocks		haulout
2-Sep-16	Propspeed		haulout
2-Sep-16	Update Predictwind Offshore		IT
4-Sep-16	anchor shackle - check and replace seizing	3 mon
4-Sep-16	set up autopilot		Electronics
4-Sep-16	spin pole block bearings		Rigging
4-Sep-16	spin pole base washer/spacer		Rigging
4-Sep-16	update chartplotter and fix track data
6-Sep-16	Temp repair to watermaker inlet valve		watermaker
6-Sep-16	install fridge/freezer monitor
6-Sep-16	reinstall wind generator
7-Sep-16	cockpit light dimmer		electrical
9-Sep-16	mainfurl - Grease the grease nipple on the aft end of the spar.	2 Mon	Grease
9-Sep-16	Windlass - bimonthly	2 Mon	Grease
9-Sep-16	Windlass Service - preseason service - every 6 mon	6 mon	Grease
9-Sep-16	rig tune		Rigging
9-Sep-16	reattach SSB ant wire
9-Sep-16	Windlass zerk fitting – missing check valve – replaced zerk fitting
11-Sep-16	backstay cylinder leaking – replace with turnbuckles		Rigging
11-Sep-16	cotter pin toggles and turnbuckles – temporary		Rigging
11-Sep-16	rig inspect up mast		Rigging
11-Sep-16	temp repair – pole topping lift chafe		Rigging
12-Sep-16	Engine - valves - oct 15	500	engine
12-Sep-16	raw water pump leak ? Replace raw water pump		Engine
12-Sep-16	helm turks head and glow tape		Rigging
13-Sep-16	new terminal block – fwd end of galley		electrical
13-Sep-16	replace old splice for galley fan		electrical
13-Sep-16	recrimp galley wiring at cct panel		electrical
13-Sep-16	waterlift muffler leak		engine
14-Sep-16	move galley light switch and better wire run		electrical
14-Sep-16	resecure saloon stbd light		electrical
14-Sep-16	replace conduit wire to galley lights		electrical
14-Sep-16	galley lights – low voltage		electrical
14-Sep-16	oil pressure switch – resecure to hull		Engine
14-Sep-16	extension to rain catcher		Sewing
15-Sep-16	top up coolant		engine
	END OF YARD PERIOD
17-Sep-16	wind generator wobble
18-Sep-16	Watermaker – no flow		watermaker
23-Sep-16	galley light – reglue
23-Sep-16	gasket for window – aft cabin port
23-Sep-16	fix cockpit lights
30-Sep-16	y valve for shower drain as back up bilge pump		plumbing
2-Oct-16	trim rhib patch		rhib
3-Oct-16	Battery water - fwd - 60 days	60 days
3-Oct-16	check fuel filter bowls	Monthly	Engine
3-Oct-16	Battery water - aft - 60 days	60 days
3-Oct-16	check windlass oil level	2 Mon
3-Oct-16	Blue Sky MPPT settings to 14.6V and 4 hrs