Darn Storms...

Status
Not open for further replies.
Mar 20, 2004
1,753
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Hey Roger,
where are you hunkering down? I'm heading up to MYC tomorrow to prep-Ilike to err in the direction of caution when big storms are involved.
BTW, great story about your expedition in Points East!
chuck
 
Nov 22, 2008
3,562
Endeavour 32 Portland, Maine
Hey Roger,
where are you hunkering down? BTW, great story about your expedition in Points East!
chuck
Thanks.

I was standing at the door at Southport Marina when the doors opened yesterday to get one of the last of the available slips. Normally, I would be a day's sail down the coast now and setting up in one of the small coves I know with the 180 feet of chain I carry in the bilge and both anchors set out. With current predictions for Danny, this would be as much for fun and practice as a response to the forecasts. However, my ex. is out of town and I'm staying with my younger son so I'm stuck in town. Hurricane Bill went by the day my oldest left for college so I was similarly prevented from turning it into a short cruise.

I should be fine in the marina unless there is an unexpected windup. The predictions are strange this time. Usually public and media weather forecasts are more accurate because they are focused on being the best predictions whereas NOAA and Aviation weather tend towards the worst case that you should plan for. This time, the public radio guy is predicting gusts to 60 knots and greater while the marine forecasts are saying 35.
 

Tim R.

.
May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Usually public and media weather forecasts are more accurate because they are focused on being the best predictions whereas NOAA and Aviation weather tend towards the worst case that you should plan for. This time, the public radio guy is predicting gusts to 60 knots and greater while the marine forecasts are saying 35.
I usually take Weatherunderground and NOAA and average them. NOAA is usually always the worst case.

The storm is definitely not strengthening the way they thought it would so hopefully just another rainy, windy day here in Maine.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,753
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
MYC is taking no chances-they're securing the docks and turning boats bow into the wind if they're not already facing out
 

Tim R.

.
May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
MYC = Maine Yacht Center. Next to B&M beans(mmmmm, beans!)

They had a noreaster destroy their docks a few years back(right after they opened) and are a little sensitive to storms. They have since installed a large floating breakwater.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,753
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Roger, Maine Sail,
yeah, that's the original marina-after that storm, they installed a 1000ft long, state of the art floating concrete breakwater imported from the north sea. It's like a millpond inside now, even when it's raging on Casco bay. In the last big nor'easter 2 years ago, they were the only marina with no damage. In addition, their crew's really professional and, with owner's permission, they'll turn and double tie any boats that need it.
Chuck
 
Nov 22, 2008
3,562
Endeavour 32 Portland, Maine
MYC = Maine Yacht Center.
Of course. I know the place. I think "Yacht Club" when I see 'YC" and just didn't make the connection. I went in there shortly after I got Strider to inquire about winter storage and went out with my cheeks puffed up trying not to start laughing hysterically. I'm sure their costs have come more into line with other places in the area since.

Looks like another non-event. NOAA has dropped Danny off their radar.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,753
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
they have adjusted to be competitive-they are about the only place in the Portland area that will store a larger Hunter mast up. Of course, if you opt for inside, heated storage it's a lot more expensive-but boy is it tempting in those cold winter months!!
Chuck
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
they have adjusted to be competitive-they are about the only place in the Portland area that will store a larger Hunter mast up. Of course, if you opt for inside, heated storage it's a lot more expensive-but boy is it tempting in those cold winter months!!
Chuck
Chuck,

What is going on with MYC? I just went to their site to check inside storage prices and was taken to a place holder web site! Do you have a link? Every search option I tried sent me to the "hijack" site. You might let them know their web presence at www.maineyacht.com has been hijacked!!!
 
Nov 22, 2008
3,562
Endeavour 32 Portland, Maine
What is going on with MYC?
They're back at 12:15. Maybe they are on TW. There will probably be lots of cable drop outs today.

I've been tracking storm conditions in Buzzards Bay where my friends are riding it out in their schooner. I see that the winds are up to terrifying 17 gusting 18.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
On the boat right now...

They're back at 12:15. Maybe they are on TW. There will probably be lots of cable drop outs today.

I've been tracking storm conditions in Buzzards Bay where my friends are riding it out in their schooner. I see that the winds are up to terrifying 17 gusting 18.
Roger I'm on the boat right now and it's blowing only a steady 20-21 and gusting to 25-26 with two footers. Nowhere near the original predictions but there are still knuckle heads out here with anchors chafing, bad pendants.

Oh and I took this photo at 8:30 this morning and nobody has done anything about it and I just uploaded it two minutes ago at 2:35 pm from the boat. I asked my yard and it's not one of their boats and I highly doubt it's a PYC member, as they would have surely tackled this as soon as noticed. I called the Harbor Master and left a message. If the sail had looked salvageable at 8:30 I would have rowed out myself but it just needs to be doused at this point. I don't like to set foot on others boats without permission but.......I think when I hail the launch I have them drop me off there so I can secure it for the guy..
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Update..

Ok so I left our boat and had the launch take me over to the Catalina 28. This guy is in a bad way. His furler seperated at the drum and the sail, foil and top half of the drum flailing hard and fast. There was nothing I could do and the wind had picked up to a steady 25+ by the time I was there. Perhaps with two people you could have man handled the furler drum and go a line around it but there was nothing I could do solo with no tools, line, spare blocks etc..

If anyone knows the owner of the Catalina 28 Vicki Lynn hailing from Brunswick, ME please call them and let them know there is trouble. I hope he does not loose his rig!!

 

Tim R.

.
May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
That sucks. If the boat was federally documented we could look up the owner but it clearly has a state reg on the bow.

It appears that a halyard is attached to the bow cleat(most have been you MS). I assume that this furler also acts as a headstay. This single point of failure seems to be a bad idea.

Nice thing about where I keep my boat. We have a web cam so while sitting next to the fire at the camp sipping some 1492 in front of the fire I can check out Cordelia and if I see anything amiss with mine or anyone elses boat I can call the YC and they will address if they have not already.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,753
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Maine Sail,
I just checked and the site seem fine-I was there a couple of hours ago and everything was normal....maybe their isp was having issues?
I just got my winter reservation package but it's back in MA, and I'm in ME. I can let you know the rates for inside Sun nite.
Chuck
 
Status
Not open for further replies.