Our experience with Erica
Our boat is a 1976 O'Day 25, also a centerboard. We live in North TX, but like to take it to Corpus Christi from time to time. Last year, we put in at CC, and sailed down the ICW to Port Isabel (far south Texas). We anchored halfway, and spent the night on the ICW. As we were pulling into Port Isabel, we were greeted with the news that a hurricane was on the way, plotted to hit Port Isabel dead center. This was our first trip beyond our lake or Corpus Christi Bay, and we were much like, unsure on what to do. No trailer though, and trying to head back home to "outrun" the storm sounded foolhardy. The locals recommended that we stay in the boat. The slip was very well protected, and the manager of the marina (Anchor Marina in Port Isabel) showed us how to tie the lines up high to accomodate any possible tidal surge. We nestled in, a little more confident than when we pulled in. We actually slept on the boat during the storm. It fell to right under hurricane status right before it hit. The boat rocked a lot to 15-25 degrees, then finally stayed at about 25 degrees for a long time. I finally fell asleep. When I woke in the morning, all was well, and the sun was shining. Driving through town, I saw a couple of boats that were stored on trailers that were no longer on trailers. I tend to agree with what was already written here. Boats belong in the water, that was the best place for it.
