New Hurricane Prep Question

[ronellis]

With Rita taking aim on the middle Texas coast, I'll be headed to Rockport (from Austin) tonight to make preparations.

I realize that the best place for my boat is out of the water or in a hurricane hole somewhere well away from others, but I'm afraid at this point neither are options available to me. She will have to ride out Rita in her slip.

I plan to remove the sails and boom, double all the lines and make sure all have good anti-chafing protection. I'll also tape any cracks (hatches) that may permit rainwater to enter. I'll also take anything of value off the boat.

Do you all have any other suggestions (other than get out of the marina!)? What has worked for you in the past?

Thanks.

[mahalocd36]

Something I just thought of - you might want to take your dorade vents off if you have them and put the cover in the hole.

Also anything else, as Randy said to me on a similar thread, that's not bolted down (lifesling, grill, etc).....

[Ray Garcia]

If you can empty your holding tank(s), its one thing to have a mess but a stinking mess is worse. If the tanks are close to the top, all the movement will make the contents find a way out.

Check your neighbors preparation. Why fair the storm fine only to have your hull holed or damaged by a neighbors failure to prepare. I usually will tie a line or two, I've never had my neighbor complain.

Leave enough slack for the surge and move her as far as you can away from the dock edge. Further the better.

Back her into the slip so solid ground is behind you. Splashing water over her stern could sink her if the wind backs from behind and your scuppers clog. Though all that rain and blowing debris isn't going to help either.

If your next to another sailboat make sure you have enough mast clearance amidship so when she sways they don't tangle each other up.

The rest is obvious, if it moves tie it down - twice if necessary. Remove EVERYTHING, one guy I knew stripped her down inside, cushions, electronics, as much as he could carry and remove. He would have taken the engine if he had time. Purpose being less to dry out if she gets wet inside.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

[rtbates]

Yes, take everything off that can be taken off. Including frames for bimini and or dodgers. Basically as much as is humanly possible.
It's the windage you need to reduce. Then tie her up with as many lines from as many point as you can find. Use the winches if needed and even the mast base.
I believe the shrimpers might still go up the Nueces River if the surge gate is still there and in use. It was in the 60's. Been awhile.

Good luck

randy 25D Seraph #161

[Mike Rodriguez]

My heart goes out to you. Been there done that. Tie fenders or anything else you can to the slip itself. If any lines let go she will beat herself up against the sides. Good luck and God bless.

[Bill Goldsmith]

Try to move the boat to an empty double-sized slip (no boat right next to you), and spring the boat out into the middle of the slip so it is not banging up against one side or the other. Use many lines in a web. If you are in a fixed-pier slip, be sure to make your lines long and springy to account for the surge. Consider dropping an anchor out in the fairway for some additional fore 'n aft stability.

[ronellis]

Thanks for your tips and well wishes. I left Austin at 10:00 last night and arrived home at 7:00 this morning...

She's stripped and secured pretty well. I was glad to see some of my neighbors gone, and many others well-secured.

As it turns out, the most recent models have Rita heading well north (east) of Rockport, so I'm most likely out of harm's way. At least I'm already more prepared for (heaven forbid) the next one...

Thanks again and best of luck to those of you on the upper Texas and western Louisiana coast.