Northwest - Puget Sound Storm

May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
with the storm coming tonight thru the weekend are folks doing anything to prep their boats. I'm planning on heading to Everett tonight to check on things, make sure bilges are dry and lines in good shape (both mine and slip mate).

Les
 
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Nov 13, 2013
723
Catalina 34 Tacoma
Im on the hard in Everett with a boom tent and cockpit cover. Im heading up this afternoon and remove them both.
 
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druid

.
Apr 22, 2009
837
Ontario 32 Pender Harbour
Don't know about Puget Sound, but it doesn't sound like it will be too bad here on the South Coast. Just gale warnings in the Strait, Storm on the WCVI. My Bud in Haida Gwai says he's gonna be fine, just lots of rain. My boat is pretty safe in Pender Hbr, although I would have preferred to be able to get to her and get some tarps on for the rain.

But I'll be up there after the storm to dry her out.

druid
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
Winds are projected to gust @55-60mph - should I pull down the dodger ?? I'm going to pull in the winch covers, bbq and wrap a bungee around the jib - I was going to leave the binnacle cover on.
This is my first storm with the boat...
 
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Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Winds are projected to gust @55-60mph - should I pull down the dodger
We leave our dodger up during the winter season. It helps to face the bow into the wind if you can to reduce pressure on the dodger. Good idea to wrap the the jib with cord to prevent it from unwinding.
 
May 12, 2004
1,505
Hunter Cherubini 30 New Port Richey
That would be a no-brainer for me. Take it down. Also the binnacle cover. Anything to reduce windage.
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,211
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Most furlers have a hole in the drum and case so that you can put a bolt or pin thru and mechanically lock it from turning.. I use a cheap caribiner that can snap in and out to secure mine in storms.
I remember going up the Dog River at Mobile, Alabama after Hurricane Fred (1978?)and being amazed at how many furlers had allowed the sails to unfurl (even with multi wraps on OD..) the sails were small tatters all flapping in the wind marking the locations of the boats up in the trees.
 
Jan 25, 2011
2,439
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
Im on the hard in Anacortes. If work cannot be finished today and splash, they will put the boat in the slings over the wknd
 
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Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
Those on the east coast are likely laughing at us. We don't often get heavy wind here. Nevertheless I came down and put more lines and fenders on the boat just in case.

Our dock mate did the same so little risk of our boats colliding.

Ken
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
I just got back from Everett - I ended up leaving the dodger up (It wasn't just snaps). There were a few boats with them taken down - but most who did put up boom tent tarps over the companion way -- seem counter productive in high wind situations. I talked to a sailor across from me - he said it would probably be ok --- I'll see how it does tonight and adjust for the big blow on Saturday.

On a less positive note - I found I have only one blanking cover for the dorade boxes so I pointed the retainer away from prevailing wind and sealed both on the inside of the boat.
 

Mikem

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Dec 20, 2009
823
Hunter 466 Bremerton
Doesn't hurt to take a look at your neighbor boats as well...don't need them causing damage to your boat.
 
Oct 24, 2010
2,405
Hunter 30 Everett, WA
According to Cliff Mass (UW meteorology professor) it is going to be stronger than previously thought. It should hit Saturday with hurricane force winds.
Cliff Mass.blogspot.com
Ken
 
Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
The highest forecasted gusts during Saturday night, according to Accuweather, is 52mph, which would be strong gale force. Tonight is suppose to reach 60mph, which is storm force.
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,534
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I drove up from Salem on Monday and spent a couple of days making sure all was prepared. Doubled up on lines. Took the sails down so all that is left for the wind is bare rigging. Adjusted the Cowl vent to the NE. Caulked a pesty window frame. And set a couple extra fenders. Should not be as bad as last Novembers storm which shredded a number of sails in the marina. But why leave it to chance. I was aboard when a gust hit and healed the boat about 20 degrees. As I awoke (3AM) and the boat righted, a sharp bang had me awake and donning my foulies. I got outside and learned that the dock cleat had broken free from the dock and was resting, still tied to the spring line, about a foot below a new mark in the gel coat. Thank goodness for a thick hull.

May all you boaters be safe.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,534
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Here is the message I got from the Weather guy I have known for 6 years. Helps the Oregon Farmers prepare for weather events. Here is his message.
Wednesday October 12

DANGEROUS WIND POTENTIAL

Three powerful WIND and heavy rain storms are scheduled to strike the PNW in the next few days. BE PREPARED, patron! The Nat'l Wx Service will be providing updates as the series of storms approach our region of the country. Here is the latest as of this morning.

Storm 1: Timed for approx tomorrow morning, Thu Oct 13, this system will move up just west of the Oregon coast inside the 130W longitude line. Barometric center is progged in the range of 976-980 mb as it spins north and passes over Vancouver Is. The barometric difference between Crescent City CA and Vancouver Island could be 24 mb. Strong wind producer, esp along the coast. Gusts >40 mph are probable inland, west of Cascades, esp Willamette Valley. Heavy rain. A secondary low may form right behind the first on Thu night, generating another wind field, although not as strong. Heavy rain from this front will slam into CA from Sacramento north.

Storm 2: The Ghost of SANDGA, the western pacific typhoon. This is the big one of the 3. Baro center modeled to deepen to 956-960 mb as it approaches the coast of NW WA and going onshore over Vancouver Is. (Columbus Day storm, Oct 12, 1992 was 960 mb.) The barometric difference between Crescent City CA and Vancouver Island with Storm 2 could be >32 mb. KEY is the storm track, as WINDS will be hurricane force along the coast with definite possibility for gusts >55-65 mph inland. The 'saving grace' for Storm 2 is - as of today - that the center will track a bit farther west of Storm 1 before turning north, this can keep the strongest winds from striking inland. It would only take a path difference of 50- 75 miles closer to the OR coast to turn Storm 2 into a super storm. BE PREPARED for power outages that could last more than a day in some locations. HEAVY RAIN, esp south of Eugene into northern CA. Saturated soils and foliage on trees will compound the wind impact.

Storm 3: While smaller in scale, the third system is modeled to have a track right across the mouth of the Columbia and on over Yakima. With a center pressure progged at 984-988 mb, and a track directly onshore near Astoria, this WIND PUPPY could actually produce powerful winds in the Willamette Valley of the 3. Barometric difference from Ashland to Chehalis could be >24 mb in a very 'small space', relative to the previous two storms. Point being: another dangerous wind situation is possible early Tue Oct 18. More rain, too, of course.

Again, the purpose of this Special Statement is to wake everyone up to a major 'triple play' wind situation across much of the PNW, as well as FLOODING issues. Don't hesitate to get ready. Your host is attending meetings in Ohio, so will not have another chance to update here until return to Oregon late Fri afternoon (that will be a bumpy landing).

-Rufus

Copyright © 2016 - All Rights Reserved - The Weather Café ®​
 
Mar 2, 2008
406
Cal 25 mk II T-Bird Marina, West Vancouver
Don't know about south of the border but there is little need to take extra precautions here on our South West Coast as all of the recommended anchorages and professional marinas are very well protected from the weather. We have very deep water (500 to 1000 ft deep at 100ft from shore) outside of bays or rivers due to the 3,000 to 5,000 ft mountains next to most shores. There are no exposed mooring fields and we do not have tidal surge as experienced in thin water and flat land areas on your south and east coasts.

We normally get Gail force winds and lots of rain all though our winter with some kind of weather window to go sailing for a day or two about twice a week. Typhoon Songda is expected to produce higher winds and more rain for a day or so on this coming weekend. She will probably blow over some old trees causing damage and power outages, the heavy rain (up to 4”to 6” in 24hr) will cause some flooding and possibly mud slides. Some derelict boats anchored in exposed areas will get blown onto Kits beach as happens every winter.

I am not worried about my sailboat in my marina. The worst storm we had on our south west coast was Typhoon Freda in October 1964.
 
Jan 28, 2015
46
Tartan 30 Anacortes, WA
Boat#1 is in the most protected slip in the most protected marina on Lake Union. No worries there.

I'm a little worried about Boat#2 up in Anacortes, they're supposed to get hammered tonight. The marina is preparing to dredge under a bunch of the slips where the 30' and under boats tie, so they asked us all to move our boats to the big guest dock where we're wedged in 4 per slip. Really hoping my temporary neighbors have taken the same precautions I have and have securely tied their boats.

The breakwater in front of the marina tends to be a magnet for boats anchored out in the bay during these big wind storms. I expect we'll see a couple sad boats on the rocks after the storm.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,534
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
For the first time since I have been in the port, Port of Everett has issued an ALL BOAT OWNERS WARNING. Guess they are a bit cautious after the event last November. Maybe the Port's insurance company suggested the robocall notice. I'd like to think they are just acting in good faith.
 

bgary

.
Sep 17, 2015
53
1985 Ericson 32-III Everett
yeah, I got the robocall *and* a text from port of Everett today.
I went to the boat Weds and got things secured. Pulled my jib off the furler just because (it's a very nice jib, would hate to have it trashed). Wire-tied lazarette lids so they wouldn't bounce around, put extra docklines and fenders all around. Didn't think to take off winch covers but, oh well.
If it gets too nasty I'll probably go check during the night. I'm only about 10 minutes from the marina so if anyone wants a quick check on their boat, I'd be happy to go by on my way....
 
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