IRENE

kevMar · August 23, 2011, 07:24:50 AM

We here in New Bern N.C. are getting ready for Irene to come by for a visit... Is there any hints about securing the boat and any other hints. This will be my first BIG hurricane so i just want to make sure i have not missed anything ... thank you

Ralph Masters · August 23, 2011, 08:00:51 AM

Extra dock lines and fenders I would think. If you're on a floating pier you should not have problems with storm surge, but if not you may need to readjust lines several times as the water comes up and then receeds.

Good luck,

Ralph
Ciao Bella

Ken Juul · August 23, 2011, 08:38:49 AM

If you are on a floating dock, how high are the posts. The last big one that hit the Chesapeake, Isabell?, saw several floating docks with boats securely moored to them end up in a pile on the beach when the surge lifted the docks over the top of aesthetically pleasing short piles.

Otherwise, extra dock lines, tie some to the mast and winches, don't overload the cleats. Remove your canvas. Sails too if you have time, especially if you are expecting over 40kts of wind.

Some folks prefer anchoring in a hurricane hole, if you chose this, use multiple anchors with at least a 10:1 scope for the expected surge.

Remove as much of the expensive stuff as you can. Electronics, binoculars, charts, books, etc. Anything that will be ruined by water. Worst case, but hopefully all you will need to do is return them to a dry boat.

Kevin Henderson · August 23, 2011, 09:38:55 AM

We are lucky on this side of the coast that we rarely if ever have to prepare for such an event. Irene is forcasted to get pretty nasty (CAT 4), and I really hope the best for you. The following is a link from BOATUS that has a great PDF on preparing yourself, your boat and the marina for a hurricane.
Wish you the best and please let us know how your doing.

http://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/brochure.asp

Terry Forshier · August 23, 2011, 11:20:48 AM

I can tell you we in Florida are sighing relief as we watch the cone go East away from us. I have been through several hurricanes and always strip the boat of canvass, even remove the boom. I am in a canal and cross tie the boat clear across the 80 foot canal. If you are a t a dock uses as many lines as you have and use spring line system to allow for rise in water levels. If you can rig chaffe gear do it. Good luck to you. We know what you may face and pray for a good outcome.

tonywright · August 23, 2011, 12:22:24 PM

Don't forget to remove all sails and canvas. Furling sails have a nasty habit of coming unfurled.

Good luck.

Tony

scotty · August 23, 2011, 10:27:43 PM

Good luck to all of you.

MarkT · August 24, 2011, 09:45:44 AM

Looks like it is making a bead on New England. We are not out of the woods here on the Chesapeake but it doesn't look like we are in the projected path. Best of luck to all of you who are about to weather this one. Remember storm surge and wave action may be a bigger issue than the wind itself. Chafe protection, bumpers, remove all sails and anything that might catch any wind, lots of lines if you are at a dock.

Ron Hill · August 24, 2011, 05:32:02 PM

Guys : The sad part of a hurricane is that most of the insurance companies REQUIRE that the marinas be evacuated - as part of their "coverage" !! A thought

Michael Shaner · August 25, 2011, 12:43:08 PM

It looks more and more like there is a significant chance we could be getting a big one up the maw of the Chesapeake. I spoke with Boat US this morning and they relayed that, at this point, some areas are expected to see storm surge of 7-11 feet. To all of you east coast folks...make good decisions...lets keep our boats safe but the skippers safer...

Ron Hill · August 25, 2011, 05:53:54 PM

Guys : Just heard that Irene will be at the mouth of the Chesapeake at low tide.
Not like Isabelle that hit at high tide. Thanks for the little favors.

Lance Jones · August 26, 2011, 12:01:17 PM

Stay safe everyone!

Ron Hill · August 28, 2011, 05:58:09 PM

Got a call that "APACHE" is still floating & in the same place that I anchored it!!

Will go down tomorrow and move it back to the Marina - that is still there!!

scotty · August 28, 2011, 08:53:21 PM

Great news, Ron!!! How did the rest of you do?? (still wishing the best of luck to you all!)

Steve Sayian · August 29, 2011, 03:44:34 AM

Ocean Rose was doing 20-degree rolls under bare pole on the mooring yesterday afternoon. 65MPH gusts recorded here 20 miles south of Boston.
Will check her this afternoon.