Tornado Threats on North Gulf Coast...

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
We are havimg a continuous stream of tornado threat and happenings. I hope you guys @BigEasy , @kloudie1, @woodster and others are faring well.
I have never thought of how you might prepare or rig a berthed boat for least damage.
Any thoughts or experiences?
Jim...
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,212
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Thanks, James, Weather was not as bad as predicted.. Very localized bad but generally just some rain. These waterspouts are a mile or so south of the marina moving northeast.. You can see from the video that the mess is very localized...the camera person has almost no wind. http://www.wbrz.com/news/severe-weather-strikes-early-in-new-orleans-locally
I generally don't prep for a short duration thing like these. Probability is that you won't be affected more than a "normal" bad thunderstorm. If I were there, I'd snug up the dock lines a good bit and make sure the roller is locked.
You guys are in it now, I guess.
 
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Jun 21, 2004
3,116
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
James,
In Slidell, the weather has not been too severe yet. Moderate showers on & off with winds South approximately 20. No hail or tornados in this immediate area. There have many twisters that have caused mild to moderate damages, but not in Slidell. We are still under a tornado warning, with the weather expected to get worse.
As Kloudie mentioned, I don't do anything special for this kind of weather system. I always have 8 lines on the boat: 2 bow breast lines, 2 stern breast lines, 2 forward springs, and 2 aft springs. I don't double up on lines unless there is a strong tropical storm or hurricane. I always keep several wraps around the roller furled jib and lock the roller.
The jib is removed for tropical systems.
Just out of curiosity, where do you dock your boat. I am planning to move mine to Bay StLouis in early April for 2-3 months temporarily for a change of longitude!
Keep Safe.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Just spring lines and maybe extra set of dock lines and make damn sure everything is tied down its starting to blow some here but i think it will get worse around 7or8 pm got a good chance of it going by on th west side of the bay will give a better report later I am not so concerned about mine as much as the ones around me that don't put forth the effort to be ready...... there neglect can cause me damage or harm...this is going to get interesting ..... oh and i try to center the pilings as best i can all the way around
 
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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
ok its been about 2 and 1/2 hrs since i posted the wind is coming from 180 degrees and about 20 mph with gust up to 30 mph the boat is healing in the slip to about 10 to 15 degrees to port dock lines are at about high C and i took a pic of my emergency crew about an hr ago
IMG_0988.JPG
this guy hangs out here all the time oops just in..... wind just picked up to 23 mph..... the blow is right on time according to the weather man....stay tuned hopefully more to come
 
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Dec 27, 2011
279
Oday 272 Pensacola
Damage to Moorings apartments and Grande Baroque from tornadoes. Both N of I10 along/close to Scenic Hwy.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,649
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Hope the Dairy Queen is OK. That is a mandatory stop on my way home
 

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I don't think one can adequately prepare for tornadoes on a boat in a marina. Of course you can double (triple) up lines and take your sails below, but the reality is if your boat gets hit by a big one, it's probably toast. Amazingly, like lightning strikes, these sorts of phenomena hit boats a lot less than it seems they should.
 
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JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
At 9:30PM, things are quieting down. I hope all is clear.

@BigEasy I live in Diamondhead, I use their marina since I live 3 miles from my boat. I wish my boat was out of berth more than 15%, but alas, boating is not all "just" underway. We have good friends, good services, 5 star marina restaurant, nearby provisioning and direct I-10 access in 0.5 miles.

Bay St. Louis is new and as a new marina, is not without growing pains (it is their first and next the the railroad noise:confused:). Since the BSL marina is about 15 minutes from I-10 (quicker by Hwy 90 from Slidell) and 20 minutes from me one way, I berth in Diamondhead.

BSL 15 minutes to Gulf assuming the CSX train bridge can open on request FM ch 13.

Diamondhead 1.4 hours to Gulf, passing the same train swing bridge, if your draft is 4'6" (mine 4'11) you might be restricted 5 hours with N. winds and low tide (soon to be corrected).

BSL offer more festivals, which can make your boat a fun "Tailgating platform" ( I simply move to transient $1/foot/night with reservations). BSL downtown (Gulf side) is more like Royal St. in the Quarter.

For longer term, I would prefer the new Pass Christian marina. Lower rates and 10 minutes to out and short run to the islands, great harbor restaurant (well managed and friendly). This is where I beat the tides and pick up friends for a day sail.

Long Beach, so so, nice and my club is there, but they don't offer the club special berthing.:p

Gulf Port is the "Creme de la creme" with full servicing, nearby to casino night life, poor provisioning. Check on their rates.:(
If you look at my post...
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/water-spout-track.177335/
Pict #2 you can see the far right horizon. the tiny buildings (squint your eyes) of BSL about 5 miles as the pelican flies. Picture taken from our exit canal and about 1 hour later Sails were up. We use the calm hour ride in the Jourdan river return to clean up and stow before simple docking and home in 15 minutes.
Jim...

PS: No matter your choice, the sailing area is one of the finest sheltered water sailing areas in the Gulf. Psst :shhh:don't tell, but we pay no power at Diamondhead. My slip charge is $125/mo total for 43' of boat. My boat is the tallest mast in the marina.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
but the reality is if your boat gets hit by a big one, it's probably toast. Amazingly, like lightning strikes, these sorts of phenomena hit boats a lot less than it seems they should.
I agree. I would probably lose the dodger at minimum...
BUT...
If held off the dock, it am imaging the boat would be like a good Boxer... Bob and Weave :pray:
Jim...

PS: hmmmm I wonder if I renamed the boat "Muhammed Ali":waycool:
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Hope the Dairy Queen is OK. That is a mandatory stop on my way home
Whew! No problems with the "Blizzard" there.:biggrin:
BTW the DQ is at the Diamondhead I-10 exit and 5 minutes from my boat.
Jim...

PS: Damn! I am on a strict diet.:(
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
ok got up at 4:30 made coffee and rocked and rolled then made breakfast sleep like a baby in a crib uh make that rocking crib cooked breakfast so far no problems here just lots of wave action ...guess it will be windy all day ...thinking about going p cola and have lunch with a friend
IMG_0987.JPG
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
guess it will be windy all day ...thinking about going p cola and have lunch with a friend
If you are sailing, never mind the gale winds warnings, the west winds are at your back:rolleyes:. You might even lose that enviable breakfast (it would serve you right, I had half a plum:p).

The cause of the storms...
The cold front, clear skies, now over us, wind shear by rapid temperature changes.
Jim...

PS: Dear Moderator, is it possible to take back 2 "likes" from @woodster ?
 
Jun 21, 2004
3,116
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Jim,
Thanks for the info regarding marinas between BSL and Gulfport. I will check out the new marina at Pass Christian.
Definitely a good location as there is no bridge to deal with and we like Shaggy's too!
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
I don't think one can adequately prepare for tornadoes on a boat in a marina. Of course you can double (triple) up lines and take your sails below, but the reality is if your boat gets hit by a big one, it's probably toast. Amazingly, like lightning strikes, these sorts of phenomena hit boats a lot less than it seems they should.
Yup.
We had a tornado hit our marina on Lake Superior about 10 years ago. Its path went straight down a pier and basically blew it up, nothing would have helped those boats. Boats on the piers on either side to them were OK, some got their rigging tangled but otherwise no real damage.
 
Jun 12, 2010
936
Oday 22 Orleans Marina, NOLA
Saw that waterspout live on tv and was hoping you'd be ok. Looked like it was heading right at ya. The Laplace f2 passed about a half mile from my house. Haven't been to the marina to check on the boat yet but I did replace the dock lines last year.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
8,020
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Saw that waterspout live on tv and was hoping you'd be ok.
High winds ripped off the canvas protect on my dodgers front window. Nothing else. Whew.
Jim...
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
tornado didn't hit here but went on both side to other places had some wind around 35 to 40 mph ..we did have a bay liner sail boat sink the next day in the marina it was on the outside pier stearn to the wind and waves and no sign of pumps on-board but the boat did live up to its name ....it was a cripple and very neglected ...not sure anyone knows its rightful owner .....while i am at it a word to the wise ....don't text and eat corn on the cob.......this has been a public service announcement from Woodster and company.......
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,212
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Good to hear that Woody and James did OK.. Same for Ken and Big Easy.. The video from the Lakefront in Mandeville of the big waterspout with the two circling it was impressive.