Hurricane prep

[Bob S]

It looks like it's going to be a very windy weekend here in the Northeast. Looks like Cape Cod has a 20-30% chance for tropical storm force winds. Would you experienced sailors recommend removing the sails and anchor for this? What are you Maine folks doing to prepare for this?

 

[kloudie1]

For storms here in Louisiana, I remove all canvass and sails.. close all seacocks.. take off the shore power connection.. Double the spring lines .. allow as much slack as possible in the dock lines. Cross the stern lines to get more position control on high water. .. Particular attention should be given to chafe protection. . Our normal tide here is under a foot.. but the water on the bayou rose about 7-8 feet during Katrina.. Imagine your boat that high and how you’d tie it to hold it in place there! My slip is back up a bayou so I have no waves to worry with, only lots of wind and high water. Good luck !! Keep your head down!

 

[Bob S]

The winds are out of the northwest so waves shouldn't be a big issue. Are 35 knot winds something I should be worried about? I won't be sailing!

 

[Tim R.]

For 35kt winds I will be tightening the backstay, furling the genny tight with a few wraps of the sheets. My dodger is already down. Wrap the main sail cover with a spare line, remove the anchor and secure the chafe gear to my two penants. Pray.

That should do it.

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

I understand all of the recommendations except about the anchor. Why remove the anchor?

 

[CharlieCobra]

To keep from cutting through the dock lines because of increased motion.

 

[Maine Sail]

I understand all of the recommendations except about the anchor. Why remove the anchor?

Tim means pull it off the bow not remove it from the boat entirely. When the boat gets yawing up and down the anchor can slice right through the pendant or get the pendant caught over the top of it and then chafe right through the pendant. These photos are less than 30 knots..

UP

DOWN

UP

DOWN

And this is without any wind..

This one did tangle..

Now picture this bow in 4-6 footers..

 

[Bob S]

Thanks for the advice Tim, I will be to the boat tomorrow and follow your advice.

 

[Idratherbesailing]

I'm across Lake Ponchartrain from Kloudie1, and we have higher storm surges during hurricanes. My experience is that anything you can do to reduce windage is helpful. I always remove all sails, all bimini tops and such, and covers over hatches (lost more of those than I care to count). Anything that can catch the wind will blow away, and generally take something with it.

If you are seriously worried about wind and rising tide, there is no such thing as too many lines or too many anchors. On the Gulf Coast, we tend to be at docks, and our method that seems to work is to have lines from stern to bow to dock, and from bow dock to stern. about 75 feet for my 37 gulfstar. Lots of chafe protection, and throw away the lines once they stretch in a storm. You can get 15-17% stretch from new 3 strand nylon...do the math on 65-75 feet. We tie the boats tight in the slip this way. In our marina during Katrina most boats survived, tides of 13-17 feet. Its a lot of work, but the best insurance you can purchase. Also chains fastened with spikes to pilings or docks, to make sure that when boat rises above the docks, the line doesn't slip off . If you are at a dock, give some thought to how well your neighbors boat is secured. Many boats in hurricanes are sunk by a boat breaking loose from being poorly secured, and taking out several boats next to them. I've tied up my neighbors boats (not when anyone could see me) many times......

See below for more detail. All due respect for whoever put together this presentation, it was not me but I do not know the name of the source, but it works if you must ride a storm out at a dock.

http://www.datakik.com/omta/pix/TyingUp/StormPreparation/index.html

 

[shemandr]

Does this link have sound to go with the panels?
Is the conclusion that longer lines can handle high tides with less stretch and therefore less chance of parting?
In my slip if the lines are any longer I'll be on the dock!
Does anyone have an opinion of setting an anchor to hold my boat off the dock - We need to dock bow first because its too shallow for the rudder near the dock?

 

[Maine Sail]

We need to dock bow first because its too shallow for the rudder near the dock?

Do your best to keep it off the dock whatever way you can an anchor may help. I much prefer a mooring to a dock in a storm but I recognize that many areas just don't have them available.


This is dock bite from a Nor' Easter. Both of these boats went to the bottom...

 

[Idratherbesailing]

No sound, but your basic conclusion is correct. The "trick" to the method is that you use long lines, tied at the front to the dock, and run to the BACK of the boat, lines from the front of the boat are tied to pilings or dock at the back of the boat, so you have lines of boat length plus whatever you need to reach the attachment points. The lines are tied without much slack, thus keeping the boat centered in the slip as the tide rises and falls. The stretch in the 3 strand nylon takes care of the rise and fall of the tide. Once you use the lines this way, don't use them for another storm, as the stretching action weakens them. But this works, I saw a lot of boats tied this way that survived Katrina (including my current boat) , and a lot of others that were tied other ways that did not. Chafe protection where the line rubs on the boat is very important, also.

 

[Chuckbear]

Does this link have sound to go with the panels?
Is the conclusion that longer lines can handle high tides with less stretch and therefore less chance of parting?
In my slip if the lines are any longer I'll be on the dock!
Does anyone have an opinion of setting an anchor to hold my boat off the dock - We need to dock bow first because its too shallow for the rudder near the dock?

Andrew, Actually longer lines will stretch more and not part as soon. In addition longer lines will stretch and perhaps not pull the boat under if the water levels rise significantly. Run lines to pilings in the next slip if need be. Removing sails is a very good idea ESPECIALLY the furling sails. With these it is a must. On Sea Trek we have been through 15 named storms, most hurricanes. Some of our preparations are on our site at

http://tinyurl.com/my7t28

And some individual choices depend on conditions expected. For instance, we would not remove the mizzen sail or main sail for 35 knot conditions and might even reconsider the headsail if winds would be up for a short period, but then again, and important, we are present on the boat at all times. If leaving we would remove everything. Chuck.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Tropical Storm Warnings in effect for New England I understand.

Here is an image of the trough and Bill... The front is stalling out a bit and I think that may be why Bill is getting in a little closer than expected, though they have been pretty close on this one for a while. They are expecting more shear and notice the dry air around Bill, that dry air might help tear into Bill some more.

 

[zeehag]

longer lines in storms is better than shorter ones that make tugs on the boat and cause problems---any time there are tugs and jerks on the boat , there is trouble---things break----for those of you with a sense of humor---the same thing goes for people as for lines---jerks dont make it----smooth riding is good -- less chance of breaking lines and breaking boat---longer lines--smoother ride--shorter lines--more jerks and tugs and possibility of dragging and breakage.....i keep my anchor tied to a stanchion when i am not on my ericson an dmy formosa has hers on the sprit--well away from the lines....if there is a possibility of bigger wave action than my formosa can handle with anchor on bow,i place on deck and tie it down..i use 2 lines on my formosa and a bridle on my ericson---so there is even pull on both sides and less possibility of yanking on one side...smoooooth ......makes a difference...goood luck..