Going to the boat this afternoon to prepare. It's looking now like we are going to get the west side of the hurricane as it passes toward the outer banks. Hopefully we will only have tropical force winds. I'm on floating docks so the docks will rise with the storm surge. I just hope that the surge isn't high enough to float the docks off the ends of the pilings.
Irene and Slip preparations
- Thread starter BillyK
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thats my worry!!! i called around looking for someone to haul and block my 30 footer.. they all pretty much said sailboats are better off IN the water with high winds.. so off to home depot to buy out their supply of nylon..
As the track looks at the moment Long Island may take a direct hit. I'm very glad that my boat is on her mooring. I feel it's the safest place for a sailboat. Docks and pilings pose too big a threat and on the hard those stanchions are just not built to sustain hurricane force winds.
My mooring line is 1" nylon with twin 7/16" spectra docking lines. The nylon provides the shock loading and the spectra is so very chafe resistant. The biggest fear on the mooring is other boats.
Be sure to remove ALL windage that you can. Leaving ANY sails on the boat is a mistake. Remove dodgers, framing, awnings and anything else possible to reduce the surface area exposure to wind. Don't forget to remove the anchor from the bow. These things can slice through any line in a pounding sea.
Best of luck to all, this could get really ugly.
My mooring line is 1" nylon with twin 7/16" spectra docking lines. The nylon provides the shock loading and the spectra is so very chafe resistant. The biggest fear on the mooring is other boats.
Be sure to remove ALL windage that you can. Leaving ANY sails on the boat is a mistake. Remove dodgers, framing, awnings and anything else possible to reduce the surface area exposure to wind. Don't forget to remove the anchor from the bow. These things can slice through any line in a pounding sea.
Best of luck to all, this could get really ugly.
Here at the very head of the Chesapeake, over the last few years I've left the boat in the slip when a hurricane threatened. Yes, doubled lines, all canvas and sails off.
Not a bit of a problem.
This morning I called the marina to have them haul it.
Right now all I have up is the dodger. Heading down there in the morning to get it down.
As I stand on the dock, the pilings come just about to shoulder height (I'm 5'8").
I'm told during Isabelle the water was well over the pilings.
I may be wrong, but something in my bones says "Get out for this one".
Not a bit of a problem.
This morning I called the marina to have them haul it.
Right now all I have up is the dodger. Heading down there in the morning to get it down.
As I stand on the dock, the pilings come just about to shoulder height (I'm 5'8").
I'm told during Isabelle the water was well over the pilings.
I may be wrong, but something in my bones says "Get out for this one".
Spent the day yesterday doubling lines and removing canvas. Short talk with the admiral last night and after viewing the forecast for central Long Island again I am having it hauled tomorrow morning. I look at it like this. The haul is cheaper than my deductible and I can't put a price on my piece of mind.
There is some good information on the IMIS Insurance site put together by one of the insurance companies on preparing for storms, http://www.imis.pro/hurricaneinformation.pdf . I have also posted the 11 AM model runs on our navigational updates site and the trending is more to the west than yesterday. The Chesapeake is looking much more vulnerable now. Chuck
I'll only add (to all the great advice above) chafing protection for dock/anchor lines etc. Most line failures I've seen have been from the line chafing (wearing) through and even if your hawse pipe or chock seems to be mostly smooth (never seen one completely smooth), enough rubbing and there goes that line.
Been through a few hurricanes myself and short lengths of tygon hose (clear, reinforced type sold at Ace hardware) held in place with a piece of string through the line has saved my lines and maybe the boat.
Also, please keep in mind that no matter how special our boats may be, they are property and can be replaced. You can't, so make your preps and don't risk your life.
Been through a few hurricanes myself and short lengths of tygon hose (clear, reinforced type sold at Ace hardware) held in place with a piece of string through the line has saved my lines and maybe the boat.
Also, please keep in mind that no matter how special our boats may be, they are property and can be replaced. You can't, so make your preps and don't risk your life.
Chesapeake - I'm staying in the Slip
I'm located just north of Annapolis. I pulled for Isabel (and glad I did) but will be staying put in the slip for this one. I'm counting on Irene staying in the ocean and not making a run up the bay.
I've already stripped the sails and canvas. Doubling up the dock lines will be next.
Tom
I'm located just north of Annapolis. I pulled for Isabel (and glad I did) but will be staying put in the slip for this one. I'm counting on Irene staying in the ocean and not making a run up the bay.
I've already stripped the sails and canvas. Doubling up the dock lines will be next.
Tom
slips are bad for hurricanes. better off anchoring IMHO.
how tall are the pilings? can they stand up to a 10' tide surge.
many floating docks will come off... better to be in a cove or canal...
good luck!
how tall are the pilings? can they stand up to a 10' tide surge.
many floating docks will come off... better to be in a cove or canal...
good luck!
Thanks to all who offered suggestions on dealing with Hurricane Irene. This was my first hurricane as a boat owner and I took many of your suggestions. I am located along the CT shore and the boat came through unscathed. I must admit I was lucky. I waited too long to get into action and didn't have enough lines or chafing gear. When I went down to check on the boat this morning one of the bow lines was practically chafed thru (I guess the hawsepipe wasn't that smooth after all) and another line had chafed thru. Had the bow line gone here would have been a lot of damage. I now have a shopping list of everything I should have had and will get that filled this week - being lucky is good but next time I want to be ready!
I did a strong prep for this storm. I took off all canvas, double lined the dock lines, and I boxed my slip in with an old halyard for defense. MOST of the boats in my dock took damage. I didn't take damage. The wind and rain was driving so hard it came in through the companionway hatch. I ended up with a damp rug in the boat that I threw away. My main was off of the boat and I put it on the cabin floor. It was damp so I put it back on the boom and put the cover back on this morning.
I consider myself lucky. I also will say that doing a good prep for the storm was a big factor in this.
I consider myself lucky. I also will say that doing a good prep for the storm was a big factor in this.
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here's what I found the boat this afternoon when I got back to her... she was exactly as I left her yesterday 
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