Fellow Sailors: I know there are some horror stories out there, but I thought that my co-owner and I could brighten it up a bit by relating that our 1982 Hunter 27, which was secured at her dock in the Telemar Bay Marina, was undamaged in the storm. Prior to evacuating our area, and prior to securing the boat, we read all of the advice and past experiences, as well as the information from BoatUS (our insurer) on what to do and how to do it. Our biggest decision was whether or not to leave the boat in the water, or have it hauled out. That decision was soon made for us because the marina was too busy getting the small power boats off of the racks to be able to haul out any in-water boats. Plus they simply didn't have room on the hard to put them all (the marina has space for about 200 boats). The next decision was whether to stay in the marina or not. Tom was leaning toward anchoring out behind Merrit Island (the east side of the Indian River Lagoon, near Dragon Point on the charts) and let the boat take it's chances. One positive aspect of that scenario is that the lagoon is mostly sand/mud bottom near there, and so if she did break loose, she would probably just ground herself and get tossed around a lot. I think we may have done that if not for the fact that our ground tackle is not really set up for that kind of wind and wave action. We weren't concerned so much about the anchor and chain and rode, but rather where it attaches on the boat. The Cherubini Hunters don't have but a single large cleat on the bow, and the next nearest cleats are on either side about midships. But they are quite small, certainly if you are trying to put 5/8" line on them. Our "To-Do" list now includes adding some reinforced large cleats on either side of the bow area. So anyway, we discussed it for a while and finally decided to let her ride it out in the marina. The good thing about the Indian River Lagoon where we are, is that there isn't a true storm surge, because the lagoon is not open to the ocean locally. The nearest inlets are Port Canaveral, and Sebastian (for those of you following along on your charts!) and those are both about several hours away by boat. We do get a rise in water level, but it is not large (maybe two feet or so) and we don't normally get any tidal action. So, we knew that we really only had to worry about chafed lines and banging against the dock. We followed all the normal advice, doubling lines, stretching lines across to other pilings, extra bumpers against the little finger next to our boat, etc. We also completely removed anything that could possibly blow away, and tied down or lashed all extra line coils, power cords, etc. We also duck-taped all the cracks and crevices that might leak water (companionway boards, hatches, etc). When it was all said and done, the boat was as good as we could make it and we left. Yesterday, when we checked on her after four days, we found her in perfect shape, and no sign of chafing or banging against the dock or pilings. There were some signs of slight damage to other boats in the marina, but just chafing against the pilings or jibs that weren't removed that are now shredded. Nothing bad, no sinkings, no major fiberglass damage. We were very pleasantly surprised, to say the least. As much as we would like to take credit for the success of the boat, I don't think it's that simple. Our take on it is that the Telemar Bay Marina, which is located on the western side of the barrier island, and by extension the eastern side of the Indian River Lagoon, just happened to be in the perfect position for weathering this storm. The marina was protected by land and buildings on all sides, and in this case the major winds in the Melbourne/Indian Harbour Beach area were from the north and east. Thus there wasn't any kind of a fetch available for the wind and chop to get going against the marina and its boats. That location advantage combined with the lack of major tide or surge, made it a very good spot to ride out the storm. Other nearby marinas were damaged quite a bit more, due only to the fact that they are more "exposed" to the lagoon itself (it is about 2 miles wide at Dragon Point) and to the prevailing north and east hurricane winds and the water that they pushed around. We remember reading that part of the success of surviving a storm is "location, location, location" and we now truly believe that! If our marina was not available to us, we would have tried to find a small canal or other hole where the fetch was minimal. That seems to be the key component. Well, that and the fact that this was not a Category 4 hurricane when it hit! Good luck to everyone. Ron Vanderver and Tom Hrkach Dolphin Dancer Melbourne, Florida
Survived Hurricane Frances Unscathed!
- Thread starter Ron Vanderveer
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That is good news!
I talked to a friend on Monday who lives near you and received the same report. His boat is in that marina on SunRay Drive I think. You are very lucky not to get those 6-foot plus storm surges. I think that is what does the most damage, when the wave action takes the boat way above the dock and then drops it. We saw terrible pictures here in Ohio. Like eight sailboats on their side at Singer Yacht Club. You obviously did a lot of the right things to protect your pride and joy.
I talked to a friend on Monday who lives near you and received the same report. His boat is in that marina on SunRay Drive I think. You are very lucky not to get those 6-foot plus storm surges. I think that is what does the most damage, when the wave action takes the boat way above the dock and then drops it. We saw terrible pictures here in Ohio. Like eight sailboats on their side at Singer Yacht Club. You obviously did a lot of the right things to protect your pride and joy.
well done
We cross tie in a canal and have found it works GREAT. Frances makes twice in three weeks we've had hurricane winds here and both times our boats have done great with the cross tying system. Given a choice, cross tie your boat in a canal, any canal. She will bob, weave, rock and roll but if her scuppers remain okay (bilge pump too) she will do just fine. Oh yeah, pull the sails and bimini's. We've seen so many boats in Punta Gorda and here in Charlotte Harbor who's owners are snow birds and leave the sails up all summer. They all now need new rags, bimini's, rudders and other junk. No offence intended to some great northern sailers but come on folks, pull the sails and bimini's during hurricane season before you go back up north.
We cross tie in a canal and have found it works GREAT. Frances makes twice in three weeks we've had hurricane winds here and both times our boats have done great with the cross tying system. Given a choice, cross tie your boat in a canal, any canal. She will bob, weave, rock and roll but if her scuppers remain okay (bilge pump too) she will do just fine. Oh yeah, pull the sails and bimini's. We've seen so many boats in Punta Gorda and here in Charlotte Harbor who's owners are snow birds and leave the sails up all summer. They all now need new rags, bimini's, rudders and other junk. No offence intended to some great northern sailers but come on folks, pull the sails and bimini's during hurricane season before you go back up north.
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