Hurricane Mathew Prep Suggestions Welcome

[Parsons]

Jacob, based on NOAA's guesses http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?5-daynl - you may only get tropical storm forces and minimum storm surge. Can you trailer your C25, because land is usually (not guaranteed) safer than water, as Kings noted above? If not, I would read through the BoatUS excellent prediction and preparation pages http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/, and make fast as best you can where you are. I believe that there is a Florida law that prevents marina operators from ejecting you from your marina if there is a named storm watch, but perhaps Boynton is not covered by the watch, or you have a private arrangement rather than a commercial marina.

By the way, is your insurance paid up? It might seem expensive, but on average Florida gets a hurricane at least once a decade. If not Matthew, it will be some other one.

 

[Bad Obsession]

A week ago I hauled Saga out for the winter. It was very early but I didn't think that I would get down to her much so I went ahead to do it.

Since then we have had tons of rain, serious coastal flooding (my dock was under water by a foot), and now Matthew is threatening the area.

So far the forecast winds look like they will be around 40mph at the most. The boat is packed down and on the trailer ready to drive down the road at 60mph so I should be okay. No worries on the tidal surge etc.

I hope everyone is safe and they have their boats packed down well. I have always left my previous in the slip, double lined, and all the stuff on the topside stripped off. The sails and canvas went down below. I guess that hauling out is the best but I have seen boats blow over before and mine was fine.

 

[Jacob Herman]

Guys if I had a trailer we would already be out.

The dock isnt kicking me out. They are super friendly and helpful and they just want everyones boat in best place which apparently isnt across from inlet

 

[Kings Gambit]

You should read your original post and ask yourself what does it appear that you are asking for. If you can keep the boat where it is, then why ask for advice on what to do with it?

 

[Jacob Herman]

At kings gambit. All the other owners are moving there boats due to the fact that every single Capt said that the boats wont survive the swell in the inlet. I can leave it but the assumption is that ill be the only boat left in an area where apparently the surge is really bad. I was hoping for some advise on a safe place to move it.

The other option is apparently to strip it and let it sink in place.

The dock owner said "it is my responsibility to tell you that if the eye hits your boat will not survive at this dock and everyone else is pulling out"

 

[Gunni]

Jacob; Is there NO marina with a travel lift nearby who can get you out? Start begging. Alternatively find some mangrove swamp nearby, anchor off, and tie it into the mangroves. Like a spiderweb. Wish I was closer, I would get down there and help.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Too bad you can't rent a trailer to put your boat on it. The 250 wing keel can be trailered! You could probably load it on a trailer on a high tide. You don't draw much more than my Compac 23.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

how long will it take you to get to ft lauderdale new river?
or, how long to get up to stuart and glades marina?
how much anchor chain and how is the bow eye secured?

if you can't get out of the water, then you need more ground tackle. if it were my boat, I'd be looking at the boynton canal, and securing the boat to the canal banks. possibly go to lake ida if that's possible.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/B...eca5b1b3279236!8m2!3d26.5317866!4d-80.0905465

you have today and wednesday. thursday will be too late IMO.

the catalina has a keel or centerboard? can it be set on the ground with tires underneath?
-wing keel? can a flatbed trailer be rented?

 

[Jacob Herman]

Thanks everyone. Apparently the lift places are full or closed already. I have called all over for a trailer and there are no places that rent sailboat trailers. There might be a guy in fort myers but its a long shot and with the traffic getting there and back and then getting in line to get boat lifted...

It looks like there is a hidey hole south near Boca.

I go about 4.5 mph in the canal.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

1+ on tieing to the mangoves.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

where in boca? that's my neigboorhood.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Maybe these guys in Deerfield Beach can help you with some advice (or trailer) if you have not talked to them already. Maybe they can refer you to someone.

http://boattrailers4rent.com/rentals/

 

[Maine Sail]

If your boat is on a mooring then a Spectra or Dyneema storm pendant is your life saver. I use a 1" version for a 36 footer and while expensive it is still about $1500.00 less than my deductible. I have been using my Dyneema storm pendant now for about 10+ years and as of yet not a single strand has chafed through.. It will rip the bow of my boat off before it fails..

 

[shemandr]

Look for a boat hauler. They have trailers. They can put you down on boat stands or whatever and go on to the next job. I expect they are busy. But worth a try.

 

[tango_51]

Well I stepped my mast last week so my stick is limp and laying in the yard.. I'm attached to a floating dock on the ICW well protected.. so i think im just going to stock up on beer, porn and baby oil and ride the storm out..

 

[Jacob Herman]

Mr Bill I sent you a PM

Kings Gambit. Talked to them and a few others. They cannot think of a single person that rents sailboat trailers.

It seems i am running up against actually finding a lift at this point. I am going to try and either find a moor or anchor her with a big ass anchor and 10-1 scope

 

[BayMan]

Does anyone think a single anchor with chain and rode of proper scope is enough to secure a boat through Matthew?

 

[Gunni]

No. One of the features of a cyclone is that the winds clock radically as the storm passes. You need to have your anchors set in those directions accordingly, or risk the near certainty of dragging. And don't even think about being aboard to reset them. You put down your ground tackle and go find a shelter well above surge.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Windyty is updating the track it on their projection, it seems. The latest projection shows the eye hugging the coast line from south Florida to South Carolina and then kicking out east and southeast back to where it stalls off of Florida again. It hugs the coast from roughly midnight on Thursday to midnight on Saturday.
What does everybody think of Windyty's projections? I've been using it (relying on it?) lately and have found it to be pretty good. I anchored out last Saturday night on a very dark and dreary night. I anticipated wind to abate by Sunday morning, and it did, but not by as much as predicted. I woke up every few hours listening to the wind howl and checked in on the website. Sure enough, they kept increasing the windspeed projection as the hours progressed.

 

[Gunni]

Scott, you are confusing the other hurricane (H.Nicole) with H. Matthew. Matthew will be gone up the coast next week. Windyty seems to use some of the same wind models as the NHC.