Piling Extensions

[Simon Sexton]

Howdy Folks,

Good morning, and greetings from Galveston, TX! So, it seems I've moved my boat to a small marina with standing piers just in time for hurricane season (yay!). The pilings on the dock are all of 5 feet tall from the waterline during high tide, which has given me a bit of anxiety when it comes to thinking of our next storm (it isn't a matter of if, but when). I'd love to hear what y'all have done to extend the height of the pilings on your dock to keep your boat safe during storm surges and floods. Thanks in advance!

~ S.S.

 

[ggrizzard]

I've lived in Florida for 40 years, been in several marinas from Pensacola to Ft. Meyers and Miami to Jacksonville.
I don't ever recall seeing a piling higher than yours.
Since the pilings are regulated by state leases and marina rules, it my be impossible to raise the height of yours.

 

[Rick Webb]

Generally, you are much better off anchored out rather than in a marina banging into pilings.

 

[jssailem]

Simon, I have seen such storms and was in Camille when she blew through Norfolk VA causing mayhem and damage to the boats in the Special Services marina at Norfolk NAS.

My inclination would be to get the boat upon shore at the announcement of a major storm.

Some sailors head for a mangrove hurricane hole to ride out the storm properly anchored.

I’d be talking with the locals and forming a hurricane plan. A dock with piers as you identify are not the best option in my opinion.

 

[FastOlson]

Different locale, but similar piling height concerns. When we last had a record setting flood (1996) here, all of our pilings were about 3 feet from being overtopped and having all the docks and walks come loose at once. That would have been "interesting" to say the least.....
What we found out, with some research, was that the piling height above MLLW is actually set by the insurers. The gov't may also have a standard, but as in a lot of things in modern times, the insurance industry actually has the muscle to have standards enforced.

I recall driving down Marine Drive, and seeing that every marina and yacht club had the same (to my eye) amount of piling top still showing. We still have the high water point marked in our parking lot, where we drove OB boats around for a few days. (!)

 

[thinwater]

Simon, I have seen such storms and was in Camille when she blew through Norfolk VA causing mayhem and damage to the boats in the Special Services marina at Norfolk NAS.

My inclination would be to get the boat upon shore at the announcement of a major storm.

Some sailors head for a mangrove hurricane hole to ride out the storm properly anchored.

I’d be talking with the locals and forming a hurricane plan. A dock with piers as you identify are not the best option in my opinion.

a. There is not enough land space to haul boats in most Florida marinas. They stay in all year, so they don't have winter space.
b. There are not enough cranes to move them in a hurry. Heck, even in the north country, it takes months to launch all of the boats.
c. Many don't live locally.
d. And you can never tell where the hurricanes are going.

 

[Simon Sexton]

Much thanks to everyone for your replies! I've spoken with several boat owners at the marina, and they all reported that the last time there was any serious damage was during hurricane Ike. Should another storm of that caliber approach, I'll be moving my boat to a slip at a safer, better built and protected marina.