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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Hurricane prep

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/11/2004 : 10:39:04

Best of luck to all those with vessels in the path of Bonnie and Charley.

This will be my first tropical storm/hurricane threat since becoming a sailboat owner. Headed to the marina this afternoon to remove what I can and secure the heck out of whatever can't be removed.

Steve

Steve Madden
'87 WK #5668 "Lorica"
Fort Myers, FL

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 11:21:08

Yikes!

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 11:56:53

Here's what I did for Isabelle (for what it's worth).

1. Doubled all my lines and tied them at 8' in anticipation of the surge.
2. Bought 5000 fenders and ringed my boat with them - ok so it was only 16 fenders.
3. Took off the sails
4. Took off the rudder - of course
5. Used a bike lock to secure the outboard to the boat just in case it came off the mount
6. Secured a tarp over the companionway - not tented but flush with the hatch
7. Booted my lower shackles and turnbuckles with 1/2 fenders

Not sure of the merit inall of these steps, but I faired VERY well.

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 11:57:26

And of course, best of luck and my prayers to all who stand in her way this week.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 12:02:23

Good ideas. How did you secure the half fenders?

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 12:15:29

I cut each one in half, so I had two cones from each fender. I slit each cone in half and wrapped them around the hardware, then used duct tape to close the cone. i took a couple of extra wraps ABOVE the cone and around the shroud to keep them down and in place.

Edited by - on

Mike L
Deckhand

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15 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 12:38:46

I don't live in hurricane territory or know how to prepare a vessel for one. I am curious what you were trying to prevent by booting your lower shackles and turnbuckles with 1/2 fenders.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 12:55:28

It might be a good idea to take a lot of photos of your boat, both inside and out, in case you do experience damage and have to submit a claim.

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 12:58:36

Mike,

Where I tied up last year, the pier was very high compared to my deck. I was concerned about the hardware getting caught under the pier as well as just chafing on the pier as the surge rose. I did not spend the night at the boat, so I don't know if the booting had any effect. I just figured it couldn't hurt.

Anyone else have any info about this? Was it just overkill on my part?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 13:12:16

I remember reading one time that a large portion of boats damaged in storms was the result of a poorly secured neighboring boat. So while securing your own boat, take a look at your neighbors boat.

Edited by - on

Tony Dillon
Navigator

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USA
168 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 13:59:49

Our best wishes, thoughts and prayers to everyone in Bonnie and Charley's paths.

I am watching with great interest. We plan to move to Florida in four years and hurricane preparation has become of great interest to me.

Edited by - Tony Dillon on 08/11/2004 14:00:19

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 14:04:12

dlucier -

Good point about taking "before" pictures...will do that this evening. Also, we have a marina committee and dock "Captains" that are meeting shortly to assign storm prep (as best as can be accomplished on someone else's boat) for the boats whose owners are up north or otherwise absent.

Went to Publix this morning. Water shelves empty (folks taking water supplies off the carts before the stock clerks could even load it on the shelves), bread shelves nearly empty, batteries almost gone, flashlights sold out. So instead I stocked up on beer, Tostitos and Con Queso Sauce. I'm ready!

Steve

Edited by - on

sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 14:28:05

Don't forget Twinkies and Slim Jims. they last forever and are complementary goods (something sweet and somthing salty).

Edited by - on

Charlie Vick
Captain

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USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 14:51:53

And don't forget the tequilia....

for medicinal purposes only!
But seriously, good luck to everyone down there!

CVick
PanaceaII '81 C25 #2439 SRSK

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 15:32:32

Last fall, the DC area got hit by Hurricand Isabel. In preparation for the hurricane I took my sails off, lashed down my tiller, put on some extra bumpers and doubled up my dock lines. Those of us on the floating docks (at my marina) came through without a scratch. The docks floated up about ten feet above the high tide mark and then floated right back down.

There was a MacGregor on one of the fixed docks who fared less well. He strapped his boat down so tightly that when the river rose, his boat couldn't go up, so it filled with water and sank.

Out in Annapolis, a guy I know stayed on his boat throughout the storm, getting up every hour to adjust dock lines. This move is not necessarily recommended.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 20:48:07

We made it through Isabel (our first hurricane) in a marina with fixed docks. We did rub on the piling when the tied was 5-6' higher than usual, but Catalina makes a strong hull/deck joint so no damage. Luck? Sure, some. But we were also prepared:

1. Took off everything we could including the boom to reduce windage. We took the registration & anything of value like the GPS & our inflatable life jackets home. We left the outboard on, but I would even recommend taking that off if you can do it easily.

2. Moved our boat to a more sheltered slip further up the pier so we were not at the end of the pier bearing the brunt of the waves. You'll want to check with your marina before moving - our dock master was fine with it & in fact they moved their boat too (hope the new dock master is just as kind in the future).

3. Added extra dock/spring lines (as much as would fit on the cleats & through the towing bow eye). Be careful not to tie them too tight since the tide will probably rise. Play with them until you're happy. And don't forget to add chafe protection and maybe shock-absorbing snubbers!

4. Duct taped the hatch seams to keep water out. Any residue came off easily several days later with a little goop-off & we had no leaks.

5. Took lots of pictures of the boat "before" & to show adequate storm prep.

6. Looked around, said goodbye, & hoped for the best.

In the end our marina had minimal damage. The marina next door had older, less sturdy docks & part was completely destroyed.

Good luck to everyone in the storm's path! I'll be thinking about you.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 20:49:24

Oh, and for heavens sake - DON'T STAY ON BOARD! In the end its only a boat (insured I hope) & not worth your life or health.

Edited by - on

jtbarrett
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2004 : 22:04:06

Last year during izzy..here's what we did. My boat is in a creek just off the chesapeake bay in the northern neck of virginia. First We found the bigest oak tree (not rotten of course) on one side of the creek and tied a line to it around the trunk. Then we put the boat out in the creek with anchor down and running the line to the bow cleat. Then off the stern cleat ran a line to my dad's boat (cape doray 25d) to the bow cleat. Then off the stern of his boat to another big oak tree on the other side of the creek. Then ran his anchor off his stern. We left about 10 to 15 feet of slack line between the boats and the oak trees and about 6 feet between boats. The creek rised about 8' feet during the storm and the idea of putting them out in the creek was to keep them from banging the dock or crashing into the bulk head. The boats rode the storm without problems. The only damage we had was a a 100 year old oak tree on the new addition to the house and no power or water for about a week. Good luck to anyone in the path. My advise to people thinking of hauling at there marina is not to. Boats on jack stands in high winds tend to not do very well ;), while boats in the water tend to ride it out better if away from solid structures. Our marina had about 20 come down off stands. Oh! By the way, you may have guessed it, the anchors were baried pretty good and took a winch, winch handle, and motor to free.

Jonathan T Barrett
"Hang Loose"
'82 SK SR #3047

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2004 : 11:34:54

Last year for Isabel I did what any red blooded American trailer sailor would do in the face of a hurricane... I pulled my boat. If you have a trailer..just do it. You can always put her back in. If you don't, listen to the tons of good advice preceding me on this string.
Willy

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2004 : 22:26:49

If your sailboat was in the path of a hurricane would you:

leave the outboard raised, or;
leave the outboard in the water

Option #3, removing the outboard, is not a consideration at this point.

Thanks,

Steve

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2004 : 22:50:29

Since I could not get the lock to open I have left mine up and attached additional rope to insure that, if bounced and the tilt lever releases, the motor will stay up. I thought about leaving it down, but could not figure a way to secure it in the down position. I filled the lock with PB Blaster in hopes it will unlock tomorrow an I can get the motor off.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2004 : 23:49:24

I have finally dodged the dreaded Hurrivac bullet! All of the Company planes launched out this morning and I was not on one, Wo Ho! I went down today and put the boat on the trailer. I was not worried about my boat as much as someone elses. There are a lot of orphans on moorings.
My boat is now secure in the back yard. Last year I bought a couple of mobile home tie down anchors and will tie the trailer to those. I will do all of this and will wind up having a tree crush my boat! It will give me an excuse to do some heavy maintenance. After we get done with the rain storm first!

Given the cost of motors, If I had a nice one,I would remove it. As for mine.......I would leave it on and a leave the screw clamps a little loose........

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2004 : 03:55:52

At this point (answering my own question I guess), I have left the motor tilted and the motor mount in the up position and secured it with lines so that bouncing will be minimal and the transom won't be unduly stressed. Guess time will tell if that's the right way to go.

Steve

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2004 : 09:29:55

I read that it is also wise to tie to the dock piers rather than the cleats on the wooden deck. The cleats can rip out.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2004 : 11:28:41

Matt -

Thanks, I read that somewhere too. I removed all my lines from the cleats and re-tied them on the pilings yesterday. I just hope our pilings are sturdier than they look. Charley's supposed to be here in 2-1/2 hours with a possible 8-10 foot storm surge on top of high tide. Our condo's on the first floor, about 300 yards from the Intracoastal, roughly 5 miles up river from the Gulf. Raining now and breeze is picking up. I think the folks north of us in Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota, Tampa are going to bear more of the brunt of Charley than we will in Ft. Myers.Time will tell.

Steve

Edited by - on

bobmac
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2004 : 13:45:30

Im curious as to how one ties their boat up so that there is enough slack to accomodate a 10-12' rise in the water level (surge), but also keep things tight enough to prevent the boat from being tossed around in the wind.

If I left 10-12' of slack on my tie off lines, I'd be bouncing off other boats, docks, piers, even in the slightest of wind.

Do 1" diameter bungee cords come into play ? Howz it work ?

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