Hurricane Isabelle is threatening the East Coast and I am trying to make preparations for the possibility that it may hit North Carolina. The dockmaster tells me that all boats will have to leave the marina and seek save haven wherever they may. I plan to strip everything off of my boat and take her up a small nearby river and anchor her with a CQR and a Bruce anchor. I have never had to do this before and am not sure about the best way to set my anchors. Any of you "old salts" had any experience with this? I am sure I am not the only one thinking about this right now. But I am a rookie when it comes to boats and hurricanes. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Start reading now...
Sid, Wish you all the luck. Without having a lot of folks rewrite books that have already been written, your very best bet is to hightail down to your local sailing book store. There are hundreds of books about cruising, which will include ideas up your alley. Earl Hinz wrote a very good anchoring book, which no doubt covers it, Calder's new cruising book, and any of the Pardey's books about technical stuff. I'm sure the staff could help you out. Your biggest obstacle is going to be finding and then getting your boat to a safe spot. Good luck, Stu
Sid, Wish you all the luck. Without having a lot of folks rewrite books that have already been written, your very best bet is to hightail down to your local sailing book store. There are hundreds of books about cruising, which will include ideas up your alley. Earl Hinz wrote a very good anchoring book, which no doubt covers it, Calder's new cruising book, and any of the Pardey's books about technical stuff. I'm sure the staff could help you out. Your biggest obstacle is going to be finding and then getting your boat to a safe spot. Good luck, Stu
leave or stay?
We don't have to leave, but a lot of folks are saying they probably will. There are 2 problems. The hurricane holes around here are small, and few. They will get crowded pretty quick. And then no matter what you do, if you get by a cat 5 (or even a cat 4) there probably isn't much that will save your boat. Still I would rather go aground on a beach than be pounded into a seawall. Any thoughts?
We don't have to leave, but a lot of folks are saying they probably will. There are 2 problems. The hurricane holes around here are small, and few. They will get crowded pretty quick. And then no matter what you do, if you get by a cat 5 (or even a cat 4) there probably isn't much that will save your boat. Still I would rather go aground on a beach than be pounded into a seawall. Any thoughts?
for what it's worth
Let me first disclaim any expertise on hurricane-proofing. But here are a few ideas- NOT based upon firsthand hurricane experience: 1. if you have a bowcleat for your anchor rode, you may want to distribute the load to other points as well, maybe equalize them so the load is spread out. I'm thinking possibly the winches would offer a secure secondary tie-off (backup or equalizing lines led to the bowcleat tie-off). The tabernacle may be questionable. If you have a tensioner, that might be of some help with chafing. Protect against chafing anywhere you see potential sharp corners. 2. Consider the possible swing angles of your scope and consequences on the shoreline. A narrow river might force you to shorten your scope, and it might reverse itself with backwash, doing weird things with the direction of load on your anchor(s)? 3. Get as much line (scope) out as you can. More than one anchor sounds like a good idea, maybe in a "V" configuration and equalized as best you can, so the load is halved (as best you can anticipate the direction of pull). There will probably be a lot of rise and fall with the surge. It might be wise to consider the contours of the bottom as waves really stack up where shorelines drop off steeply 4. Can you add weight to your rode and/or anchor somehow? 5. Maybe several layers of duct tape over hatches and windows, perhaps with plywood sandwiched in over the windows? If you don't mind the repairs afterwards, it might be worth a few screws or bolt holes to really secure the plywood over windows. Do you have a bilge pump with automatic switch? For what this is all worth, eat the fruit and spit out the seeds. Hope it turns out ok for you and your vessel. Good luck.
Let me first disclaim any expertise on hurricane-proofing. But here are a few ideas- NOT based upon firsthand hurricane experience: 1. if you have a bowcleat for your anchor rode, you may want to distribute the load to other points as well, maybe equalize them so the load is spread out. I'm thinking possibly the winches would offer a secure secondary tie-off (backup or equalizing lines led to the bowcleat tie-off). The tabernacle may be questionable. If you have a tensioner, that might be of some help with chafing. Protect against chafing anywhere you see potential sharp corners. 2. Consider the possible swing angles of your scope and consequences on the shoreline. A narrow river might force you to shorten your scope, and it might reverse itself with backwash, doing weird things with the direction of load on your anchor(s)? 3. Get as much line (scope) out as you can. More than one anchor sounds like a good idea, maybe in a "V" configuration and equalized as best you can, so the load is halved (as best you can anticipate the direction of pull). There will probably be a lot of rise and fall with the surge. It might be wise to consider the contours of the bottom as waves really stack up where shorelines drop off steeply 4. Can you add weight to your rode and/or anchor somehow? 5. Maybe several layers of duct tape over hatches and windows, perhaps with plywood sandwiched in over the windows? If you don't mind the repairs afterwards, it might be worth a few screws or bolt holes to really secure the plywood over windows. Do you have a bilge pump with automatic switch? For what this is all worth, eat the fruit and spit out the seeds. Hope it turns out ok for you and your vessel. Good luck.
Why can't you have it hauled?
I heard thats the safest. Yeah, it'll cost you some $, but whats the chance worth....not to mention the average $ damage even if it does survive but gets really battered/ If it was coming, I'd take it out of the direct path and find a marina that would haul it for a few days....
I heard thats the safest. Yeah, it'll cost you some $, but whats the chance worth....not to mention the average $ damage even if it does survive but gets really battered/ If it was coming, I'd take it out of the direct path and find a marina that would haul it for a few days....
Way up the creek early
Look for a spot NOW!!! Go as far up that creek as you can. I lived through a hurricane staying onboard because it was my home. I put anchors up the creek, down the creek with a lot of scope. I put double lines off all quarters to trees with a lot of slack. Cleared everything off the deck. Took me all day to do this. I did not suffer a scratch! On the way went back to my marina I saw boats stacked on top of each other in small coves where skippers threw out a couple anchors and left them.
Look for a spot NOW!!! Go as far up that creek as you can. I lived through a hurricane staying onboard because it was my home. I put anchors up the creek, down the creek with a lot of scope. I put double lines off all quarters to trees with a lot of slack. Cleared everything off the deck. Took me all day to do this. I did not suffer a scratch! On the way went back to my marina I saw boats stacked on top of each other in small coves where skippers threw out a couple anchors and left them.
Old Tires Make Good Shock Adsorbers
We had a good-sized storm move though here several years ago and the marina management got old tires for every piling. We used really heavy three-strand line which was bought in huge reels (reel about 2-feet in diamter) and tied off directly to the old tires. The old tires had a lot of spring to them for adsorbing shock loads and with steel belted radials there was no way they would fail. If anchored out a tire could be put between the bow and the anchor rode. Use chafe protection on the lines that go around the tire.
We had a good-sized storm move though here several years ago and the marina management got old tires for every piling. We used really heavy three-strand line which was bought in huge reels (reel about 2-feet in diamter) and tied off directly to the old tires. The old tires had a lot of spring to them for adsorbing shock loads and with steel belted radials there was no way they would fail. If anchored out a tire could be put between the bow and the anchor rode. Use chafe protection on the lines that go around the tire.
A tie off if you can find it
Last September a storm hit between Houston and New Orleans. I had an old junker trimaran moored I had bought at auction. One anchor was a plow and had a 100 lb. 25 ft chain run for rode, before some hefty anchor line, plenty of scope I thought. I had slid an old garage jack down the chain (200lbs) and dived once to make sure it was on top of the plow. The rig had set out for a couple of months before the storm. The night after the storm went by I found it smashed on rocks...maybe 300 yards. All the anchor, jack and chain were fine, but it looked like the boat had spun at least once. I wouldn't underestimate the winds and the pull created....if there is anyway to tie to a fixed object it would be worth buying a lot of new line. I got lucky and sold the parts off the boat on eBay and even made a few bucks. Good luck to ya! Jack
Last September a storm hit between Houston and New Orleans. I had an old junker trimaran moored I had bought at auction. One anchor was a plow and had a 100 lb. 25 ft chain run for rode, before some hefty anchor line, plenty of scope I thought. I had slid an old garage jack down the chain (200lbs) and dived once to make sure it was on top of the plow. The rig had set out for a couple of months before the storm. The night after the storm went by I found it smashed on rocks...maybe 300 yards. All the anchor, jack and chain were fine, but it looked like the boat had spun at least once. I wouldn't underestimate the winds and the pull created....if there is anyway to tie to a fixed object it would be worth buying a lot of new line. I got lucky and sold the parts off the boat on eBay and even made a few bucks. Good luck to ya! Jack
Here is some Hurricane info
We are all watching and waiting and I hope all goes well for us all. That being said, check out the "BoatUS.com" website. They have articles about hurricane preparation and a really good checklist to help you at least try to cover some of the concerns that we all have.Hope it helps.
We are all watching and waiting and I hope all goes well for us all. That being said, check out the "BoatUS.com" website. They have articles about hurricane preparation and a really good checklist to help you at least try to cover some of the concerns that we all have.Hope it helps.
Haul It
If you are unsure about anchoring the haul it. Boat US will pay half the haul out for hurricanes up to 225 provided you have their insurance.
If you are unsure about anchoring the haul it. Boat US will pay half the haul out for hurricanes up to 225 provided you have their insurance.
getting out???
Depending on where this thing goes we are thinking of pulling our boat and trailing it somewhere 30 miles inland. Problem is will it be just as much at risk sitting on it's trailer in 120 mph winds than it would be at the marina.? take care and duck Chris
Depending on where this thing goes we are thinking of pulling our boat and trailing it somewhere 30 miles inland. Problem is will it be just as much at risk sitting on it's trailer in 120 mph winds than it would be at the marina.? take care and duck Chris
Collington Harbor
Is there any one out there who is planning to leave their boat in Collington Harbor (Kill Devil Hills NC) if the hurricane comes? I can't think that a creek or hole will be any better, or am I wrong? My boat is on a deep canal way back. Thanks
Is there any one out there who is planning to leave their boat in Collington Harbor (Kill Devil Hills NC) if the hurricane comes? I can't think that a creek or hole will be any better, or am I wrong? My boat is on a deep canal way back. Thanks
Here's another site with Hurricane recommendations
Go to link below http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=ouread0038%20%20&tfr=fp
Go to link below http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=ouread0038%20%20&tfr=fp
Anchor choice
Sid, Reread your post and IF we have to take action next week, you really ought to consider replacing the Bruce with a big Danforth. The Bruce is a great anchor, but in NC mud, nothing will give you better holding than a properly set Danforth. The link is to online marine in Oriental, they have great prices on anchors and they're just a few miles down the road. Also, here are two excellent articles with great info about NC and hurricane anchoring: http://www.blackbeardsailingclub.com/hurricane.htm http://www.blackbeardsailingclub.com/anchoring.htm
Sid, Reread your post and IF we have to take action next week, you really ought to consider replacing the Bruce with a big Danforth. The Bruce is a great anchor, but in NC mud, nothing will give you better holding than a properly set Danforth. The link is to online marine in Oriental, they have great prices on anchors and they're just a few miles down the road. Also, here are two excellent articles with great info about NC and hurricane anchoring: http://www.blackbeardsailingclub.com/hurricane.htm http://www.blackbeardsailingclub.com/anchoring.htm
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