Some things I have learned

[sailaway78]

For those of you who are battening down the hatches for upcoming storm or storms, here are a couple of things I have learned from my experiences with Katrina, Rita and Gustav. If you anchor your boat in a tight place, where using the motor to set the anchor isn't an option, put it on a winch and crank down all you can. Then figure on a few feet for the anchor to drag a little before it gets really set. I never realized that I probably drug six feet or more sometimes when setting an anchor. Be sure to leave enough slack somewhere in your system for surge. We had a surge of over 20' during Katrina, so be sure you have enough slack to cover your a&*. Don't use anything except twisted nylon for any of your lines or rodes. The braided lines have plenty of strength, but do not have enough stretch, and make it hard on whatever they are fastened to when the boat snaps against them. If possible do not use cleats to tie to. Use winches, where possible, two wraps and then to a cleat. And last but not least, if you think you need three lines, use four or more. If you think you might need four, use six. Use all the chafe gear you can get your hands on. The movement and strain on dock lines is absolutely amazing. I sat and watched my boat during Gustav, and a couple of times it snap rolled a total of 60 degrees or more. A tremendous amount of strain on everything. And last but not least, be sure you make good knots, and then back them up. Where I have a dock line to a piling, I use a double wrap around the piling, tied with a bowline, and then put three or four half hitches in the bitter end. It is impossible to overdue it when securing your boat for a major storm. And everyone please be careful and be safe. Ike may be a mother.

 

[ITMaster]

Good Advice Easy

I would add that if one has intent to anchor, that consideration be given to the use of the Bahamian Anchoring/Mooring concept and the use of chain on the rode that is at minimum the length of the boat being anchored.

Here in the Chesapeake Bay, I have had occasion to use two anchors and when I set them properly, I rest easy during the night. I have three setups, two anchors and rodes at the bow and a single for the stern. My forward ground tackle consists of 40 pound danforths, 40 foot of 5/8 galvanized chain and the same sized three strand twisted nylon that is 300' for the primary and 250' for the secondary. My stern line is only 20 foot of 5/16 chain and about 150' of nylon twisted. It may be overkill, but I would rather have it if I need it than wish I did.

For TS Hanna, the weather folks predicted more than what we got, and I took added precautions that weren't necessary, but that's ok since my boat is safe. On friday, I added additional lines to my dock set up, a total of 10 lines when I am usually tied up at the dock with only 5. Also, when at the dock, I make sure that I put all my dock lines up at the top of the pilings so there is lots of room for the boat to rise with any surge that may come in. I have a fixed dock instead of a floating one. I don't mind that though, since I have seen floating docks go up and over the top of the pilings and then float away. An entire marina and all but 3 boats were lost here during Isabel when all the floating docks went up and over the top of all the pilings.

Good luck, looks like Ike is going to head over toward Houston now, so I'm glad for you, although it looks like you all will still experience some high winds and lots of rain. Best the hell out of a direct hit.

 

[sailaway78]

Floating docks

I have very mixed emotions about floating docks. They are really nice, except when it hits the fan. The marina right around the corner from my house was totally destroyed during Katrina, when the docks floated over the pilings. Most of the boats in there were totalled. Several friends of mine had their boats there, and everyone I knew lost their boats. TonyB lost his beloved Catalina, and some other friends of mine lost a brand new Hunter 33. It took several months to find the Hunter. I hope everyone on the gulf coast is watching and getting ready for Ike. There can not be too much preperation in this situation. Get all the canvas off, the boom tied down good, and do all you can to secure the boat.

 

[BobM]

At what point...

...do folks think the canvas should come off? We just had the remnants of Hannah come through with gusts forecasted for 45mph. I just rolled up my jib extra tight and put a few extra lines around it to be sure it wouldn't unroll. I also put some wraps around the main cover and made all lines fast.

The season up here is so short. It is nice to extend it, but depending on the year it can prove not worth it in a hurry. I tried it the first year and spent several anxiety filled weeks as we had repeated days with gusts to 50mph. Unfortunately my mooring isn't placed in a great location for the winds we usually get in the fall, but the view is nice.

Bob

 

[newly anonymous]

Bob

The most simple answer is Beaufort 10, better known as a "Storm" which is 48+ knots. A good offshore dodger should survive Beaufort 9, also called "Strong Gale," with little trouble, but a Bimini probable wants to come down even sooner, probably around Beaufort 8, a Gale, 34+ knots.

I'm amazed at how many roller jibs I've seen blow apart in the marina in strong gale conditions, but this is usually due to owner negligence or ignorance. Around here on the left coast, folks who have no real intention of sailing their boats during the winter months habitually leave the jibs on the rollers all year. This is just pure stupidity, not only because of potential wind/UV damage, but because the sails tend to mildew during the rainy season if they're left rolled up throughout.

 

[BobM]

Thanks

50 knots was about what my gut feel was.

I'll take a hit for ignorance. When I first got my last boat there was a problem with the furler and it was pretty tough to unwind and would pop up out of the cup and jam. I even called CDI to no avail. However, the PO came aboard and fixed it but didn't mention anything about putting a line around the sail so it wouldn't unroll (it just couldn't before). First storm it blew open damaging the jib to the tune of $350. It was an expensive lesson.

I always try to provide as much detail as possible when I post, especially to new owners, because after a while it is natural to take the simple things for granted. An extra moment of care can save someones season.

 

[Bob S]

Hannah

BobM, this is my first season and I was very anxious as Hannah came through. I went to the boat Friday to prepare but wasn't sure what I needed to do. They were forecasting sustained winds of 35-45 mph with gust of 65 mpg. When I got there I saw boat after boat being hauled. The yard had removed their gas docks. This got me scared. I thought maybe I should remove the sails but ended up spooling a 3/8 line all over the main. I bungeed the jib. I made sure the halyards where pulled tight and bungeed to keep them from chafing. I added an additional 5/8 line to the mooring bulb and removed my dodger. I went there today and everything was fine but it wasn't as bad as predicted. I am glad you write in detail because it does help us new to boating. I have learned so much from this sight and appreciate everyone's input. As scared as this seemed I can't imagine how tough it's been for everyone in the gulf.

 

[kloudie1]

Learned Things

Power finally back on at house after 6 days! Trees knocked many substation power feed lines down. Whew ! Boats in Mandeville came out just fine. Weather station in Mid Lake Pontchartrain reported sustained winds to 58 mph with gusts to 70. Water in the lake rose a little over 5 feet. Makes tying a boat to a fixed dock interesting!.. Good to see that Gulf coast folks are OK. Keeping an eye on Ike.

 

[BobM]

5 feet over a fixed dock?

What did you do...tie fenders to the keel?

 

[kloudie1]

Learned Things

You are correct, BobM .. long lines crossed on all sides, (stbd aft cleat to port piling, raise the piling attach point; crossed full length spring lines both sides, etc.) Fenders on long lines..

Concerning the roller furler, look on the drum and stationary parts for a locking hole.. The Harkens have a hole in the drum that lines up with a hole in the stationary part, through which you can put a big karabiner or a big bolt and nut. This will better keep it from unfurling.. Many genoas have been lost during storms when the furling line chafes through and the wind pulls the sail open. You can find big cheap snap karabiners at the big hardware stores.

 

[BrianW]

Never Relax, Don't Get Lazy

Remember, just because you dodge a bullet one time (or several times), NEVER NEVER ease up on your boat hurricane prepardness list (as well described by you all). There are so many factors concerning hurricane wind strength, storm surge, and impact point that we have ABSOLUTELY no control of. Never intepret being out of the hurricane's "cone of uncertainty" with "I dodged a bullet". In Pensacola, we "dodged the bullet" with Katrina and Gustav with only tropical storm winds, but with both, we got at least 6 foot storm surges. This surge still beat the hell out many boat docks and holed many boats with even tall pilings. So, when you are tempted to skimp on your boat prep duties "this one time", that crap shoot could cost you your boat. BrianW

 

[Rick Sylvester]

Do not EVER

leave your jib furled on the boat. You can secure the drum so it won't turn and wrap lines around the sail but neither of those strategies are a sound alternative to REMOVING the headsail.

As a liveaboard I've lost count of how many boats I and my neighbors have scrambled aboard because the wind had caught a bit of the leech, pulled it out and started it flapping. You can never get the sail furled tight enough to completely eliminate this possibility. In many cases the drum hadn't budged.

Some of you may be thinking that "hey, it's insured, why should anyone else care?" If that's you, just remember that in a marina when that flapping canvas brings your rig down it'll probably destroy your neighbors boat. If you're at anchor or on a mooring you probably know that when you drag you very well may take out another boat.

Finally, even if the wind doesn't get your jib, it's a tremendous amount of windage where your boat doesn't need it.

Wrapping your main can be okay in a small storm but there's no excuse for leaving a jib up. Don't do it. Ever.