Securing for the storm

[BobM]

My 30 foot boat is on a 500lb mushroom mooring in Winthrop Harbor, which is protected from the open ocean, but this storm is all about wind from what they are saying. Presuming max winds of 50-60 mph what do you suggest I do to prepare for the storm?

I am thinking that I should strip the genoa off the furler and the main off the boom and secure all the running rigging.

I will also inspect the mooring and pendants, which were inspected this spring by the mooring service presumably, when they pulled the winter stick and put the ball back on.

Should I run some extra pendants? If so, should I also consider rigging them to another location, such as from the bow, back through some snatch blocks to the primary winches? Sounds like chafe avoidance would be a problem, but I am thinking these would essentially be back ups, in case the bow cleats failed.

Or should I try to have her pulled out of the water entirely? I am a little concerned about my Marina's response to the storm. I don't think they will be johnny on the spot ready to pull a bunch of boats in an emergency. I have BoatUS so half of the cost will be paid for.

Thanks for your input.

Bob

 

[Cpt. Jon]

I'm sorry that I cannot make any recommendations as for what you should do in your location or on a mooring as I am slipped. That said, I think I will double my lines on my boats and I have some old garden hose that is busted that I think I will put on the lines as chafe protection. I work from home on Fridays and the boats are right out back, so I will be able to keep a close eye on things in the event that something goes awry. I am not too concerned with the wind as where the boats are they are pretty sheltered and sit in what I would consider to be a little oversized slips but I will be a little extra careful. I don't plan on removing sails, but I think I certainly would consider it in your situation as you are looking at potentially more of a hit than we are. Curious to hear what others are doing that are on moorings up there.

Good luck!

 

[Witzend]

Run a safty pendant around the base of the mast.

 

[sailaway78]

Storm Prep

I can't be of much help with the mooring situation, as have no experience at all with that. A 500 lb. mushroom doesn't sound like a lot to be holding your boat, unless it has been there a pretty good while and is buried deep. But I can tell you about the canvas. Leave all canvas on the boat that you want to get rid of. That you want to save, get if off. I don't think there was a boat on the gulf coast after Katrina that didn't have a jib in tatters if left on the boat. Same goes for Bimini. Main sails seem to fair a little better it tied tightly and covered, but still strongly recommend it be taken off.

 

[zeehag]

on a mooring--make sure your lines are securely affixed that your windage is minimal and that there is nothing in your way--also make sure your mooring line is long enough to ride a surge .......if you haul out--make sure you donot tie to a tree--but affix lines to ground so she doesnt fly away or fall...goood luck....in dago we donot get tropical storms or hurrycames but we do get 60 mph winds and fetch----hurrycames and tropical storms add surge to that and you can have a mess---make sure the mooting lines are able to meet the surge without jerking oir tugging on your boat--that is what causes damage to boat and snaps lines...do you have neighbors and what do they do????...

 

[BobM]

The neighbors is always the fun part. I literally just got back last night at 8pm, so I haven't been out to the boat yet to see what folks are doing. The center of the storm isn't well defined, so the weathermen don't know what it will do with any level of certainty.

Regarding a safety line round the mast, it is deck stepped, so that likely isn't a good idea, which is why I was thinking about the primary winches as an alternative.

Unfortunately, during the last big wind storm we had on July 4th it was readily apparent that my mooring isn't well protected from West winds. The due west wind had a number of boats, mine included, that were in a particular area of the mooring field, sailing around their moorings like mad. I put up an anchor riding sail and it helped a lot. I am debating putting up the anchor riding storm for the storm. On one hand it will certainly smooth out the jerky motion I observed with a west wind, however having even a 2-3 foot triangle of sail up during 50-60 mph winds/gusts might be worse!

 

[zeehag]

The neighbors is always the fun part. I literally just got back last night at 8pm, so I haven't been out to the boat yet to see what folks are doing. The center of the storm isn't well defined, so the weathermen don't know what it will do with any level of certainty.

Regarding a safety line round the mast, it is deck stepped, so that likely isn't a good idea, which is why I was thinking about the primary winches as an alternative.

Unfortunately, during the last big wind storm we had on July 4th it was readily apparent that my mooring isn't well protected from West winds. The due west wind had a number of boats, mine included, that were in a particular area of the mooring field, sailing around their moorings like mad. I put up an anchor riding sail and it helped a lot. I am debating putting up the anchor riding storm for the storm. On one hand it will certainly smooth out the jerky motion I observed with a west wind, however having even a 2-3 foot triangle of sail up during 50-60 mph winds/gusts might be worse!

if your boat jerks, your lines are too short--lengthen them until they no longer jerk--too many things break with jerky motions..should ride smooth even in a choppy water.....

 

[dave lundy]

Bob,
Years ago I was agonizing over the identical issue while another hurricane was bearing down on New England. I asked a friend what he was doing in preparation and he said he was hauling out. He then asked me how many boats I owned and when I answered "only the one" the answer made my decision very easy. If you have enough time and your insurance will cover even a part of the cost then it's a no-brainer. The best ground tackle in the world won't protect you from a runaway in the mooring area. Haul it out and strip it clean then you can rest easy. If it turns out as an over reaction, so be it. If however a serious storm hits and you sustain damage then it's too late.

I hope this is all academic, good luck with your preparations with whatever you decide

Dave

 

[Ross]

hard, tight service at the chafe points works very well for me. keep in mind that hard, tight service makes that section of line nearly rigid.

 

[Bob S]

Bob, I'm on a 500# pyramid mooring. Can anyone tell me the difference between the pyramid and the mushroom? I checked with the boatyard and they told me it's burried pretty deep. Maybe 10'+. I'm going to make every effort to get down to her and at least remove the head sail but the boat is an hour away and I'm not sure I can find that many free ones before Saturday!

 

[Franklin]

50-60 knots is nothing to sweat about. Your boat should be setup to always handle that kind of wind as it happens more than you think. Not counting hurricanes, I think in the 3.5 years I've been a live-aboard, we've had about 5 days of 50+ knot winds and it's surprising that the boats who have such old and small dock-lines don't ever break loose.

Now when you start getting up to 80+ lknots, then it's time to worry and do extra prepping.

With that said, it doesn't hurt the boat at all and may extend the life of the bimini by doing extra prepping now.

 

[BobM]

Thanks Franklin and everyone else. I agree that 50 knots shouldn't be more than can be handled. Looks like the forecast just firmed up a little. I will check again in the AM, but gusts up to 40mph isn't much to worry about. Acutally, given the forecast now it might be a hell of a morning for a sail. I think I'll tuck a reef or two in and go for a ride!

BOSTON HARBOR-
506 PM EDT THU AUG 27 2009

SAT...NE WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT. WAVES 2 TO
3 FT...EXCEPT UP TO 6 FT AT THE OUTER HARBOR ENTRANCE. SHOWERS
WITH A CHANCE OF TSTMS IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS LIKELY IN
THE AFTERNOON. VSBY 1 TO 3 NM.
SAT NIGHT...N WINDS 25 TO 30 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 KT...
BECOMING NW 5 TO 10 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WAVES 1 TO 2 FT.

 

[Ross]

Just remember that the force of the wind increases as to the square of the velocity. going from forty to fifty increases the force by fifty percent. Fifty-six blows twice as hard as forty.

 

[CalebD]

Perhaps you meant that the wind will be heading in a westerly direction, as in, out of the east. Easterly winds in New England are more worrisome then the usual south westers as they have a long fetch to kick up the swell and pile water up in the bays, harbors and sounds etc. The weather press love to dwell on a 'northeaster' that will cause havoc like the 'Perfect Storm'.
Remember TS Ernesto of a few years ago? 40+ knot winds out of the east for about 36 hours on LI Sound. Gusts? Pretty damn spicy. Ernesto sat on our area for a long time before blowing off. Ernesto the pesto.
We will see about Danny. I just hope he keeps on moving N, NW and fast.
Decrease windage, haul out if you choose and hope for the best for all of us.
I hope you survive intact.
My best.

 

[BobM]

Unfortunately my Mother is in some real trouble with complications from her recent Whipple surgery. I am relying on the kindness of a fellow sailor to take care of my boat as we are on the first flight to Tampa tomorrow. Just got back from West Palm last night!

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Unfortunately my Mother is in some real trouble with complications from her recent Whipple surgery. I am relying on the kindness of a fellow sailor to take care of my boat as we are on the first flight to Tampa tomorrow. Just got back from West Palm last night!

Hoping for the best for your mother!