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How to deal with a Hurricane?

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2011 : 13:18:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
but I'm lowering the topping lift so the boom will rest on the gunwale, near the winch. That should reduce and lower the windage somewhat. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I hope that by "lowering the topping lift so the boom will rest on the gunwale" you mean that you are going to secure it to something. If not, I'd think it might be better to double up on the topping lift (take your main halyard to the aft end of the boom) then, tighten the main sheet and secure the line so that it doesn't jump out of its cleat. If you remove the sails, I think the windage from the boom would be not any different this way and you avoid the risk of beating your deck to death with the boom. I'd probably do it this way even with the sails still on but only if you absolutely can't get the mains'l off the boom.

The more I think of it, I wouldn't even consider laying the boom on the deck. I'd secure it as above and lash it to port and starboard.

Edited by - John Russell on 08/26/2011 13:21:07

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2011 : 19:49:12

Dock-lines doubled up, companionway bifold door and lid duct-taped, electronics removed, exra fenders out, antenna down..... Tomorrow, I might add dock-lines to the big Whaler in the next slip (no finger dock between us)--he's tied up with a few old pieces of poly-rope that look like he found them in the dumpster at the grocery store.

Now we just hope the surge (plus new moon tide) doesn't try to float our docks off the pilings. The hoop on the end of my finger dock won't fit over the top of the piling, so it might jam part way up, pulling my boat down as the water keeps rising, or, when the surge subsides, hanging it up.

I've seen forecasts for a 6-9' surge on western Long Island Sound (basically doubling the tide). It should be less here. There will be some wet houses in my prior home town.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/26/2011 19:53:18

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 06:38:00

Well, I removed the genoa yesterday. I didn't lower the end of the boom to the gunwale, because I have already lashed down my sail and sail cover to the boom, and didn't want to un-do it all. In any case, I'm happy with my preparations, and believe she's ready for anything except things beyond my control (e.g., other boats breaking loose and drifting down on her, etc.) The rain started about 30 minutes ago, and the wind is picking up. No storm surge yet, but, when it happens, the storm surge could happen in a matter of minutes. It's going to be a long day.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 13:15:16

Not sure why you wouldn't just remove the boom and place down inside the cabin. It should only take 5 minutes to remove it. One less thing to catch the wind.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 13:20:54

So far, so good! Minor damage to marina buildings, but no damage to any boats yet. My boat is rock solid, vaning into the wind in her slip and taking the wind bow-on. She's barely heeling or tugging at her lines. If it's like this at bedtime, I'll probably sleep on her tonight. My marina is a great hurricane hole. Very well sheltered. Relief!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 13:28:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Not sure why you wouldn't just remove the boom and place down inside the cabin. It should only take 5 minutes to remove it. One less thing to catch the wind.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm pretty sure I couldn't even carry my boom and manipulate it below by myself, especially with the sail still on it. It's about 14' long and has a considerably thicker cross-section than the C25 mast, with a big winch on one side and lots of heavy turning blocks and other hardware. I used to do it all the time with my C25, but not with my present boat.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 13:47:58

Well, all that's left for me is to wait - and make sure my basement does not flood if we lose power. [url="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/psurgegraphics_at4.shtml?gm"]NOAA's current storm surge prediction[/url] is well within the piling height. Almost nobody in any of our local marinas hauled out, including trailer boats! Hopefully we're far enough inland that we won't bear the full brunt of the winds - though Irene seems to be tracking much more to the west than previously predicted. And there are way too many bimini tops that are still up!

I put a few pics on [url="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1956303996051.2094166.1496259315&l=2b921a171b&type=1"]Facebook[/url]:

<center>

</center>

Edited by - TakeFive on 08/27/2011 14:14:24

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 16:51:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 Not sure why you wouldn't just remove the boom and place down inside the cabin. It should only take 5 minutes to remove it. One less thing to catch the wind.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm pretty sure I couldn't even carry my boom and manipulate it below by myself, especially with the sail still on it. It's about 14' long and has a considerably thicker cross-section than the C25 mast, with a big winch on one side and lots of heavy turning blocks and other hardware. I used to do it all the time with my C25, but not with my present boat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Of yeah, I didn't notice you had the C & C 35. I'm sure you're probably right. Also, the 35 is designed to handle heavier winds and seas than the 25' Shouldn't be a problem.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 16:57:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RhythmDoctor
 Well, all that's left for me is to wait - and make sure my basement does not flood if we lose power. [url="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/psurgegraphics_at4.shtml?gm"]NOAA's current storm surge prediction[/url] is well within the piling height. Almost nobody in any of our local marinas hauled out, including trailer boats! Hopefully we're far enough inland that we won't bear the full brunt of the winds - though Irene seems to be tracking much more to the west than previously predicted. And there are way too many bimini tops that are still up!

I put a few pics on [url="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1956303996051.2094166.1496259315&l=2b921a171b&type=1"]Facebook[/url]:

<center>

</center>

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You did a great job preparing for Irene! Very well planned out.

You should have no problems even if Irene makes a direct hit. By the time she gets to you I think the winds will be lower than when Ike hit us. From what I understand the eye of Ike went right over the marina I was in at the time. OUt of 800+ boats only one was damaged when an exhaust hose broke and the boat sank. From what the marina manager told me it was due to lack of maintenance and not Ike.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 17:48:44

Hmm . . . . both my boats are on moorings, in the direct path of Irene. I almost lost (read, major, expensive repairs required) in the "Pefect Storm" to a former sailboat. All that plus being on the water since 1966 has made me a believer that, in order, the importance of "what to do" is:

1. Make sure all insurance is paid in full, and
2. Remove all sails, biminis, dodgers, cockpit covers, etc,
3. Remove any other "precious" items that either could cause collateral damage (heavy/sharp/flammable) or would be too expensive to replace(cushions/outboard, etc), and
4. Check (and recheck) the bridal -- and put a storm bridal on (if no bow eye, storm bridal goes around the mast), and
5. Ask your club/facility manager if he can think of ANYTHING else you should do, and
6. Pray, and
7. Let the Gods do as they will!

Nothing in life is guaranteed, just do your best to protect your property and the property of those around you -- if you do so the damage will be minimal (not zero, but minimal)

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 18:29:32

Good luck Peter and everyone else in this path... Rhythm--some people have no idea what winds above 50 mph are like--not to mention above 75 or 100. They'll learn--their canvas will likely be in shreds, and might contribute to their boats breaking loose (by increasing windage). They probably figure they have insurance... (...meaning the rest of us will pay for it.)

Wind is E at 17 on the shore in Mystic... relatively quiet slightly inland... a few spits of rain... Wonder how I'll sleep tonight, or whether I'll have power in the morning.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 18:33:32

[url="http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/two-rescued-sailboat-distress-norfolks-ocean-view"]Two rescued from boat in distress off Norfolk's Ocean View[/url]

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 20:16:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 (whatever)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Living aboard on Hunter, trying to sail it ahead of a hurricane, and then dropping anchor off a jetty in the face of it... Revoke these people's license to be on a boat. (Hopefully for them, that won't be necessary.)

I almost hate to admit it, but the Hunter might have been more up to the task than I would have expected--their very good fortune. (The B&R rig stayed up.)

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2011 : 07:32:52

Irene's just a tropical storm now, but that's plenty of excitement when you live on the water. High tide appeared to be around 5' above normal--docks stayed on the pilings--Sarge appears to be riding well. Power is on for now but wind is blasting--knocking on wood!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2011 : 12:44:42

The only significant damage to boats at my marina appears to be 2 jibs that unfurled and were shredded. One boat broke it's undersized, rotten docklines, and volunteers had to board it and resecure it during the worst of the storm, to prevent it from drifting down on other peoples' boats. The streets to the marina were blocked by huge trees that came down across the road. In the worst of the storm, it was nearly impossible to walk on the docks. I had to crouch to lower my center of gravity and reduce wind resistance. My boat rode it very securely, but I neglected to run one of my back-up docklines through a chock, and the result was that the line chafed about 1/3 of the way through. In a hurricane, a small oversight extracts a price.

I wouldn't recommend docklines less than about 1/2" for a C25 in a hurricane. Even 5/8" (not doubled) wouldn't be too big. I saw 3/8" docklines stretching like a rubber band, and don't think they would have lasted if we hadn't doubled them. If you use one big, adequate-sized dockline, you won't have a problem with doubled lines not fitting your cleats.

I'm proud to say that the sunbrella covers that I made for my grab rails didn't come off during the hurricane. If I thought I could make big money selling them, I'd be advertising them as "hurricane-proven!"

Edited by - on

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2011 : 14:02:27

Great news Steve, glad you had no damage.

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