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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Storm coming, boats trailered, how do I secure it?

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Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/17/2008 : 14:04:27

Is there a preferred method to secure a C25 or any sailboat that is on a trailer when a hurricane is approaching? Do I lash the boat to the trailer and then anchor the trailer or lash the boat to some ground anchors? I don't have the option to move it out of harms way, that is reserved for the horses.
Thanks,
Ed

Ed
HisHorse
1979 SR/SK #1393
Green Cove Springs, FL

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2008 : 14:18:22

I have no experience doing this but I would secure the boat to the trailer with multiple tie-down straps and then secure the trailer to the ground as best you can. Marinas do this with anchors screwed into the pavement. Point the bow of the trailer towards where the storm is coming from. Maybe remove the wheels so it's harder to blow around?? Best of luck, I'll be hoping the storm misses you.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 07:08:03

Add a pedestal to support the trailer toungue. If the wind tries to spin the trailer around even a small amount, the strain on the trailer jack will probably bend it and the bow of the boat/trailer will fall. this will cause the boat level to be bow down and water will then not drain out of the cabin top into the cockpit and could cause flooding of the cabin.

I'll post a pic of our trailer pedestal shortly.

Mine is made from 5/8" ply screwed to an inverted T of 4x4" lumber.

It took about 15 mins to make using a piece of fence post and ply from an old shelf. It's 2' wide, and 10.5" tall, in our case that leaves the boat level for draining correctly.

paul

Edited by - britinusa on 08/18/2008 07:26:14

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 08:26:02

The little red storage barns that you see for sale outside Lowe's and Home Depot are secured to the ground by ground screws and cables designed for that purpose. I'd secure the boat to the trailer, and then secure the trailer to the ground with those ground screws.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 08:51:35

Hi Ed,
I wouldn't worry to much about it from where you're located (close to Jax) but I'd try to situate the boat where you have some protection on the south/south-east side and then both tie the boat to the trailer and the ground. I don't have a trailer and I'm open on the south side (Daytona) where I'm docked, could be dangerous if the winds kick up too much. I do have the option of a rather nice protected canal at my brothers about 20 miles south so am watching this thing closely right now. Good luck!

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 12:17:09

For boat to trailer (towing or inland storms), I use a 2" wide ratchet strap over the cockpit just in front of the winches down to each side of the trailer frame, and a shorter 1" ratchet strap at the bow going under the trailer's winch stand and up to each bow cleat. For hurricanes, I would add another 2" strap across the bow behind the cleats down to the trailer frame, then secure the whole rig to tie-downs in the ground or pavement with more 2" straps or heavy duty rope.

Edited by - on

Kendall
Navigator

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USA
146 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2008 : 14:47:37

Were keeping Scylla in the water. But will throw on some more dock lines today. Our slip is such an unusual shape that docking is difficult.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2008 : 08:53:44

I've got the same problem Kendall, if you look at my sig. photo you can see the odd shape of my dock. Well, I sat here yesterday and imagined Bamboo bouncing off the dock and decided to move it to my brother's place. Very unlikely that winds will go above 25 or 30 but why not use the hurricane hole if you've got it? Got to the boat at about 2pm and arrived at my brother's 20 miles later at about 6pm. Very uneventful cruise, almost nobody on the water. For those of you who love the photos I took a few pics and you can look at them all [url="http://picasaweb.google.com/waveless96/RunAway81808"]here[/url]. I took a short video as well and will post that as soon as I upload it to youtube. No earthshaking pics or video, just something for bored folks ...........
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaV4bY7DLy0"]video[/url]

Edited by - DaveR on 08/19/2008 09:03:39

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2008 : 09:14:44

We would and still do run lines from the boat to trees or anything secure. Park the boat around some trees ( pines ) and run lines to the trees.

This storm is not too bad thank goodness.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2008 : 10:09:40

Take a picture of your boat after you secure it. My friend secured his boat on his dock before andrew and his bow and stern anchor lines in addition to the dock lines kept the boat from bouncing off the dock.

I'd never though of adding anchor lines in addition to the dock lines.

I guess you can't add enough lines.

very interesting.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2008 : 12:04:58

Also consider chaffing as you secure boat and trailer.

Edited by - on

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.