Storm haul out or stay on mooring? Irene

[RobG]

Irene's track is looking really scary for us. If it were you more experienced folks with this what would you do. I will do all of the proper prep.
Here is some sketchy info:
Moorings are rated for 35' vessels. I have an Ericson 28.
Double braided pennants to seemingly good mooring tackle (large cast shackles and large chain). Don't know rating on scope of chain but rumored at 40'. Mushroom anchors I believe. Can't confirm.
Normal depth at mooring is 8 -12'. Mooring field is Mystic harbor at the mouth of the Mystic if you want to take a look. Moderately protected except from the SW.

If hauled boat will be on asphault with storm drains. Lot ranges from about 10' above normal high tide to almost 20'. No ground anchors. Assume boats will be packed pretty tight depending on how many haul. Masts will not be stepped. Lot is shielded by a hill to the north and NW. No hazzards for the most part like trees or many telephone poles. Lots of metal sheds though.

Very very tough decision.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I think that the common wisdom calls for a haul out if at all possible.

Don't wait 'til the last moment to decide or your yard may not be able to accommodate you. I would check with them right now to understand their deadlines.

For what is worth, and YMMV, during hurricane Bob in 1991, I was on a 350# mooring with a 10500# Morgan 30 near the entrance of the Thames River (across from Electric Boat). About 12-14 hours before Bob reached us I motored up the Thames River to Gales Ferry and set two anchors in the mud at 12' depth- a 35# CQR and a 22# Bruce. I basically hung on the Bruce during the storm given how I swung. Never moved that I could tell. I observed winds of 75mph at this location which was about 5nm up from the entrance of the river. We were a bit protected at that location behind a bluff. I was ready to run the engine to take strain off the anchors if necessary, but it never was required.

Whatever you do, prepare and plan early.

 

[tomlang63]

RobG - I am normally on mooring C-6 at Noank, but currently on the hard at my house doing extensive repairs. I have a 27 Catalina, and in previous instances of weather, I have always tried to go up to Seaport first, as the water is protected, but you will not escape all of the wind. If my boat was in the water right now, and there was not room at seaport, given today's forecast, I would haul. Also, a reminder that if you're on the mooring and the pennants break, or chain lets go, the marina is not responsible. Tide would have to rise unbelievably far to impact boats in the lot, and I'm sure they will move them to the highest spots. The cost of hauling is not insignificant, but when I weigh that cost against loss of the boat, I'd pull it.

I believe they need to know by Thursday if you want to be hauled.

 

[dlewis812]

any suggestions:

- the catalina 25 in shelter island ny; currently at our dock but do have a mooring avail?

- the catalina 30 is in nyc on the hudson; on a mooring

 

[tomlang63]

Dlewis812 - I'd be less concerned about the 30 on the Hudson on a mooring, based on track it looks worse the farther east you go.

Shelter(appropriately named) is a good hole to pull up in, but my preference for a storm would always be on a mooring verses a dock. On a mooring, you have 360 degrees you can swing, where at a dock you point bow up only based on orientation of dock and expected wind direction.

 

[seadaddler]

Mooring

The problem with moorings is the other boats breaking loose in to you.

 

[RobG]

Thanks all

Haul out scheduled for Friday. I'll be down stripping her clean Saturday. What a bummer.

Geeze...looks worse with the latest forcast.

 

[rhythmsurfer]

Rob,
You are doing the right thing. The problem here in Pensacola was boats that did not moor properly broke loose OR they just drug their tackle. Take pictures for documentation too.
Godspeed,
tony