back river anchored.. tropical storm coming..

[End80]

My Grampian 26 is anchored on the back river of Tybee Island GA. Right now it's a beautifully sunny day (although the weather report says a 80% chance of thunderstorms), but by tomorrow it's definitely going to be nasty.. Am I better off taking my boat to the marina on the other end closer to the mouth of the Atlantic? Or leaving it anchored in the more sheltered back river where I have it now?

 

[Head Sail]

Generally speaking it makes sense to leave it away from the tidal surge if there is one in Georgia. You are probably looking at high water and current on the river so it depends how protected you are from those. How has the river been previously during flood events?

 

[toliver]

depends what type of storm ...if the storm winds will be strong for a long period of time from a direction that will stack up water where your boat is located leading to a large tidal flow your options are A - visit slip often during the storm to let out more mooring line (especially in a tight slip) or B - leave it well anchored with plenty of scope. (I stayed in my protected slip during Isabelle in 2003 and let out line all night, some who didn't had various damage due to tight mooring lines...fyi.. Isabelle avg 50 K S winds for 6 hrs with a 6' tidal diff...plus.. NOAA hourly radio updates went down for most of storm, just when you need them the most)
If it is a quick storm with strong winds...Maybe leave it in your slip and reduce windage by taking down sails and any canvas, IE dodger or bimini
Seems every storm is different.
Say a prayer and make sure your Insurance is up to date
Good luck

 

[Gunni]

You are definitely going to be seeing TS winds (40-70kts) by tomorrow morning. Talk to the locals and get local knowledge on hurricane holes and procedures. If you stay out make sure you have several anchors down as the wind will shift and you will have little chance of resetting anchors.

 

[Roland5048]

You are going to feel some TS winds, for sure, but with the storm moving off the East Coast, I don't see flooding as a major factor. Hope I'm right. Here on the Fl. Mid West Coast, we are getting hammered with rain and a minor tidal surge. The winds are coming from the southwest and piling up the water. Tide just crested here and my house is a virtual island. Another six inches of rise and I'm outta here. Glad I drive a Jeep. Two more highs to get thru before this thing is gone. Ironically, enough, it's the people who live inland that get it worse. With the tides this high, and with all the rain, the rivers can't drain fast enough and they're flooded for days. That might also be the case where your boat is moored but the good thing is boats float, houses don't. Good luck.

 

[End80]

Perhaps I should explain, I'm not staying on the boat, I just have it anchored a few blocks from where I live. I've been here since 1980. but the boat I've only had anchored back there since last winter...
The thing is I just don't know what to do.. I've contemplated having it pulled out of the water to dry storage -- but that is an expense rather difficult to consider - Don't exactly have money to throw around - but then again, I don't want to lose my boat.
There have been no major storm to hit the island in all the years I've been here...
I'm worried, and not sure what to do to protect my boat.

 

[End80]

Its anchored closer to the far side of the river.. should I move it closer to the center?
I mean its closer to the far shore on the opposite side of the public "boat ramp"

 

[Head Sail]

If I was that worried, I'd pull it out. The extra cost isn't worth the worry and potential loss.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Are there other boats around that could break loose and hit yours? I have no experience with surges, just tornados. Around here I think boats are safer in the water so wind doesn't get under them.

 

[End80]

There's a 26' Cape Dory(?) a good distance up a ways up river from me that's been there 4 or 5 years, but he's on a bouy (wish I had one) other than that just a few skiffs

edit.. I don't mean a bouy, but one of those mooring balls.

 

[Gunni]

If you can still have the boat hauled, do so. If the boat is covered for loss your insurance company may offset or cover that cost.

 

[kito]

I thought you were on a mooring ball. Can your anchor(s) hold in 60+ winds? If it gets loose it will damage your boat and maybe others. Maybe pull it out while you can for peace of mind?

 

[Roland5048]

I agree. If you can pull it, do so. Just got a text that a sailboat in the marina where I am just sunk. Not mine. Going down there now to see what's going on.

 

[shemandr]

I feel for your stress and I've done this decision process many times. It's very hard to advise someone else about their boat. The advice to seek local advice is good if you can find a good source. I've looked at the layout of that area and the radar. It looks like you'll see South to East winds which will pile up water on the shore and, I think the rivers too. What will the tide be tomorrow AM?
I think my choice order would be first a short haul, second the marina and third laying on the anchor in the river. If it's the anchor do what you can to protect against chafe, make sure the cockpit drains are running well and strip off the sails, canvas, electronics and outboard(?) FYI I used to take mine to a marina with floating docks, strip it, double the lines, deploy fenders, charge the batteries and go home. I did much more than most at that marina. I never had damage.

 

[End80]

Unfortunately, they can't pull it out with the mast on. I called and was advised to just leave it where it is, the back river doesn't get too choppy and all it will really get is some high tides. He doesn't expect I will have a problem... says the storm (now hurricane) has a lot of land its going to cross across Florida before it gets here, and he thinks I'll be ok where it is...
I still feel uneasy though. But I do know the waters at the marina is a lot rougher than the back river.

On another note, I was surprised to hear it only cost about $100 to hoist a 26' boat out - I thought it would be triple that - but, the mast has to come down first

 

[kito]

I hope all goes well. Here in NC they are saying to expect possible 70+ winds.....depending on how close it gets to the coastline while heading up north.

 

[shemandr]

I called and was advised to just leave it where it is, the back river doesn't get too choppy and all it will really get is some high tides. He doesn't expect I will have a problem...

That's the kind of local advice we hoped you'd get.

 

[Benny17441]

No guarantees that a boat on stands will fare any better than in the water. Check with some of the sailors that have their boats in the Marina and see how safe they regard the tie ups; then check with the marina to see if they would even let you tie up to a transit slip under a storm warning. How is the bottom holding where you are at? If it is good, think about getting (purchasing, renting or borrowing) a heavy storm anchor with some 30' of chain and burying it as far down as you can. Give it a good 10:1 scope and protect the contacts point of the rode against chaff. They are talking worst case a Cat 2 storm at landfall in FL , but by the time it gets into your area over land it should be downgraded to a tropical storm with lesser winds. Remove all canvas and minimize drag on the wind. Make sure the scuppers are clear. A South East wind could drain some water out of the location so make sure you have a couple of feet of extra depth. Last check for boats around you that could drag their anchors. Here we tie up on both sides of narrow canals or look for a hurricane hole to tie up a spyder web unto the mangroves. Check on your insurance coverage and make sure you have other documents with you not at the boat.

 

[End80]

Ummm.. no insurance

 

[Gunni]

How many anchors do you have?