Earl

[Andy Denmark]

My recently transplanted neighbor (NJ) came over yesterday and asked, "What are you doing about oil?"

I replied that I just made sure the dipstick was up to the full mark.

He then said, "Not that oil -- I mean the hurricane."

I must talk funny? ............anyway ......

Hurricane prep here goes like a well "oiled" machine 'cause we do a lot of it. This morning all the boats at my pier will be out on anchors -- Rhiannon (CD-27), Anne Freeman (CD-30 out last night), Alert (Alberg 30). Farmer Chase's new PS-34 is secure on her mooring, too -- right out front. All these boats are visible from my living room --- I hope they don't end up there!

Rhiannon's ground tackle consists of primary 22 lb. Bruce with 30 ft of heavy 5/16" chain and 100 ft of 5/8" nylon rode (brand new); secondary 12 lb Danforth with 30 ft of heavy 5/16" chain and 100 ft of 1/2" nylon rode (1 yr old). Both have good chafing gear at the chocks. The normal water depth in the creek is about 6 ft so scope isn't an issue especially with heavy chain holding the anchors down.

I am prepping for strong NE winds in excess of 100 mph.. This is good 'cause NE provides the least fetch in the creek. I'll put the rodes out to maximum length leaving a bit extra in case I have to move the chafe points. This rig has held Rhiannon through many storms, one (Gordon in '94) with me aboard in Minim Creek, SC. I have high confidence in this setup.

There is virtually 360 degree protection in my anchorage -- a primary reason for selecting this site to build 25 years ago. It is one of the best anchorages in the area and it will be pretty full by the end of the day -- maybe a dozen boats total. "Oil" being a mid-week storm is a major problem for the inland people as they have to take off from work to secure boats. I could make a pile of $$$ just taking care of other peoples' boats at times like this but I have my hands full with the above plus getting house, etc, ready for the storm. Today will be a long one.

Spent all day yesterday at the Yacht Club removing electrical pedestals, securing pier water, helping with docklines, removing furling jibs, etc. (There's already a lottery going to see how many furling jibs get destroyed from being left on the forestays.) Plywood goes over the windows there today and supplies laid in for those who elect to stay to help with the boats as the water rises and falls. They just camp in the lounge with food, drink, emergency lights, etc.

Most people don't realize how hot the temperature is during a hurricane. A hurricane is a hot air phenomenon -- that's what drives it -- so the temps are usually in the 90's with humidity (naturally) at 100%. Only air movement keeps it bearable. When the power goes off (the usual scenario) being closed up makes the place smell like a locker room after two or three days. It's closed because the rain volume is so high, sometimes several inches an hour.

Evacuations have already started on the Outer Banks and will soon be called here, probably today. The only storm I ever left for was Isabelle and I'll stay for this one as will many of my neighbors. When the water rises above 3 ft I am stuck here anyway because the roads are flooded. My house can withstand a 9 foot rise before it gets to the finished floor. The building codes here are awesome so structural strength isn't a problem when the wind gets up. Shingle damage and fallen trees and limbs account for most of the aftermath problems.

Sooo -- that's what's happeing down here. I'll try to check in when it's convenient and keep all y'all posted from ground zero.
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VOLCANO VAPORIZER

[Neil Gordon]

Seems every time I check the projected storm track it's moved a little to the West. Boston is now well within the left edge of the cone and it's getting more likely I'll do full storm prep tomorrow.

Good news is that we have a 10 foot tide on Friday afternoon and 8 1/2 feet on Saturday morning. Two days later and we'd be at about 12 feet. There's only so much tide + surge the marina can take before the floating docks are over the tops of the pilings.

[M. R. Bober]

My recently transplanted neighbor (NJ) came over yesterday and asked, "What are you doing about oil?"

I replied that I just made sure the dipstick was up to the full mark.

He then said, "Not that oil -- I mean the hurricane."

I must talk funny? ............anyway ......

Hurricane prep here goes like a well "oiled" machine 'cause we do a lot of it. This morning all the boats at my pier will be out on anchors -- Rhiannon (CD-27), Anne Freeman (CD-30 out last night), Alert (Alberg 30). Farmer Chase's new PS-34 is secure on her mooring, too -- right out front. All these boats are visible from my living room --- I hope they don't end up there!

Rhiannon's ground tackle consists of primary 22 lb. Bruce with 30 ft of heavy 5/16" chain and 100 ft of 5/8" nylon rode (brand new); secondary 12 lb Danforth with 30 ft of heavy 5/16" chain and 100 ft of 1/2" nylon rode (1 yr old). Both have good chafing gear at the chocks. The normal water depth in the creek is about 6 ft so scope isn't an issue especially with heavy chain holding the anchors down.

I am prepping for strong NE winds in excess of 100 mph.. This is good 'cause NE provides the least fetch in the creek. I'll put the rodes out to maximum length leaving a bit extra in case I have to move the chafe points. This rig has held Rhiannon through many storms, one (Gordon in '94) with me aboard in Minim Creek, SC. I have high confidence in this setup.

There is virtually 360 degree protection in my anchorage -- a primary reason for selecting this site to build 25 years ago. It is one of the best anchorages in the area and it will be pretty full by the end of the day -- maybe a dozen boats total. "Oil" being a mid-week storm is a major problem for the inland people as they have to take off from work to secure boats. I could make a pile of $$$ just taking care of other peoples' boats at times like this but I have my hands full with the above plus getting house, etc, ready for the storm. Today will be a long one.

Spent all day yesterday at the Yacht Club removing electrical pedestals, securing pier water, helping with docklines, removing furling jibs, etc. (There's already a lottery going to see how many furling jibs get destroyed from being left on the forestays.) Plywood goes over the windows there today and supplies laid in for those who elect to stay to help with the boats as the water rises and falls. They just camp in the lounge with food, drink, emergency lights, etc.

Most people don't realize how hot the temperature is during a hurricane. A hurricane is a hot air phenomenon -- that's what drives it -- so the temps are usually in the 90's with humidity (naturally) at 100%. Only air movement keeps it bearable. When the power goes off (the usual scenario) being closed up makes the place smell like a locker room after two or three days. It's closed because the rain volume is so high, sometimes several inches an hour.

Evacuations have already started on the Outer Banks and will soon be called here, probably today. The only storm I ever left for was Isabelle and I'll stay for this one as will many of my neighbors. When the water rises above 3 ft I am stuck here anyway because the roads are flooded. My house can withstand a 9 foot rise before it gets to the finished floor. The building codes here are awesome so structural strength isn't a problem when the wind gets up. Shingle damage and fallen trees and limbs account for most of the aftermath problems.

Sooo -- that's what's happeing down here. I'll try to check in when it's convenient and keep all y'all posted from ground zero.

Andy,
I remember your Isabelle posts with webcam URL, and your final phase of preparation (i.e. take the steaks from the freezer, pack the car, visit your--inland--lady friend).

Good luck this time to you and everyone else.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster (where today is going to be long and tiring with 2 Cape Dorys and one house to prep for Earl), VA

[Kilgore]

For now I'm west of the projected cone. I had my fill in 2004 when I lived in a spot that got hammered by Charlie, Frances, and Jean in 2 week intervals over 6 weeks. The drains on the boat were barely large enough to keep up with the rainfall (the extra weight probably helped keep the boat on the cradle). Some less wise power-boat owners left theirs closed and the extra weight snapped cradle cables and put their boats in the river.

[Troy Scott]

I've seen too much of this. It seems nearly everyone is taking proper precautions this time.

[Neil Gordon]

I just got the "we're not responsible for your boat" email from my marina.

[M. R. Bober]

I just got the "we're not responsible for your boat" email from my marina.

I suppose that sending that message is part of their storm preparations.

To quote Albert Camus, "We are all basically alone."
Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster (where we are getting ready for you know who), VA

[Warren Kaplan]

I just got the "we're not responsible for your boat" email from my marina.

I was up at my marina (Oyster Bay, Long Island) getting Sine Qua Non ready "just in case". Hot as hell up there today.

I had a chance to speak to the yard manager and he was very thankful that I came out to take care of my boat. He said that in the past to many people don't do anything and the yard cannot do very much when there are 100+ boats on moorings out there.

He said it is really a tough time for him and the marina staff. They'll come out to the marina during the storm. If a boat breaks loose they'll go out and get it and secure it IF the storm isn't too bad and there isn't much risk to the launch drivers going out there. But if the storm is real bad, they won't go out...and I think they probably couldn't even get to the marina from their homes during severe storms.

So that's why the notice Neil. And understandably so. I just hope the guys on the moorings around me make preparations so my boat doesn't get creamed by someone else's vessel.

[Cathy Monaghan]

Today's update (Sep. 1) is showing Earl's track moving up the U.S. east coast -- looks like everybody from NC northward will be effected and the Canadian Maritimes will take a direct hit. Here in the NJ we probably won't get hurricane force winds, but they could blow in the 40s and 50s -- enough to knock down trees and power lines. There'll probably be flooding too.

<a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tafb_latest/ref ... 123_sm.gif" target="_blank"><img width="700" src="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tafb_latest/ref ... m.gif"></a>
<a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank">National Hurricane Center</a>

<a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/marine_forecasts.shtml" target="_blank"><img width="700" src="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tafb/fxc/201009 ... a.png"></a>

If you haven't started storm preps, start now!

• BoatU.S. Hurricane Resource Center -- Preparing for Hurricanes
  National Hurricane Center -- Hurricane Preparedness
  
  Be sure to read the BoatU.S. article on chafe protection. By the way, I know Chip and Paul Del Coro -- mentioned at the beginning of the article. They are members of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club. Raritan Bay sailors have lost many boats over the years due to nor'easters, tropical storms and the remnants of hurricanes. Chip was lucky that he didn't lose his beautiful boat Vici.
  
  You don't need hurricane force winds to reek havoc on a mooring field. Gale force (39–46 mph or 34–40 knots) is all you need for stuff to start breaking and for boats to end up on the rocks. And if mooring tackle isn't in great shape to begin with, lines or chain will start snapping even sooner.

If you're not hauling your boat, and your leaving it on a mooring (hope your mooring tackle is oversized), make sure to set up at least 4 pendants -- 2 on each side. Two (one on each side) should be the same length and the other two should be at least a foot longer but the same size as each other. Don't forget the anti-chafing gear.



Good luck,
Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

[Oswego John]

I just heard on the 5:00 PM news that Earl is back up to a category 4 storm again.

Take care,
O J

[Neil Gordon]

So that's why the notice Neil.

I didn't mean to be quite as cynical as it came out. The staff at the marina does a pretty good job of watching out for boats. With 650 (or so) boats to tend to though, it can't be their job to add fenders, double up docklines, remove canvas and do all those other preppy things that keep boats safe.

Once the storm comes, the staff will in fact be walking the docks to check for chafed lines and will do what they can to keep things under control.

The track continues to be projected further west than each last time I check... the Cape and Islands are under Hurricane Watch and Boston is under a Tropical Storm Watch.

[Dean Abramson]

We went to the boat this morning to batten everything down, put on chafe gear, etc. Shortly after we got out to the boat, we looked at each other and said, "let's get her hauled out." We both just felt that that would be best, so we went with our gut.

I took the boat over to Yankee Marina in Yarmouth, and by 9:00 am tomorrow, the mast should be unstepped, and Loda May will be high and dry. I got on the "haul me" list two days ago, and this morning they said I needed to decide by 3:00 pm. We decided about 9:00 am to do it.

Rather than pay for the expense of putting her back in afterwards, then hauling her again in early October, we just decided to declare it a great season and then wait for spring. Today was a very hectic day of moving the boat and getting her ready to be hauled.

A lot of boats seem to be planning to ride it out. In Falmouth (ME) there was a surprising scarcity of folks getting ready in any way. I think that there are about 1000 boats in that mooring field. We decided that no matter how well we prepared, there are just too many potential missiles out there. And maybe this will be a very bad storm. We have lived in Maine since 1980, and we are yet to see a truly awful storm hit, but it can happen.

I hope like hell that this sucker veers way east and spares everyone. Please do everything you can to get ready. Good luck, all.

Dean

[Maine Sail]

Makes me glad I keep and maintain my storm mooring. Sadly though we are off cruising so will probably need to ride this one out away from my storm mooring. We may put the push on for home but the cruising has been good, so a good old fashioned Maine hurricane hole will have to suffice..

[Dick Barthel]

We went to the boat this morning to batten everything down, put on chafe gear, etc. Shortly after we got out to the boat, we looked at each other and said, "let's get her hauled out." We both just felt that that would be best, so we went with our gut.

I took the boat over to Yankee Marina in Yarmouth, and by 9:00 am tomorrow, the mast should be unstepped, and Loda May will be high and dry. I got on the "haul me" list two days ago, and this morning they said I needed to decide by 3:00 pm. We decided about 9:00 am to do it.

Rather than pay for the expense of putting her back in afterwards, then hauling her again in early October, we just decided to declare it a great season and then wait for spring. Today was a very hectic day of moving the boat and getting her ready to be hauled.

A lot of boats seem to be planning to ride it out. In Falmouth (ME) there was a surprising scarcity of folks getting ready in any way. I think that there are about 1000 boats in that mooring field. We decided that no matter how well we prepared, there are just too many potential missiles out there. And maybe this will be a very bad storm. We have lived in Maine since 1980, and we are yet to see a truly awful storm hit, but it can happen.

I hope like hell that this sucker veers way east and spares everyone. Please do everything you can to get ready. Good luck, all.

Dean

I made the same decision even though the latest was less than 15% chance of hurricane winds in eastern CT/RI. My insurance recovery would be much less than I have in the boat but more importantly I don't want to lose her.

[Andy Denmark]

The latest advisories (from Plymouth State Wx) are not favorable for Pamlico Sound. It is not the wind that will do damage but high water. With NE winds at 100+ kts and blowing the length of Pamlico Sound, water will pile up at the SW end of the Sound (read as MY HOUSE) and severe flooding will result. Add storm surge and the result is awesome to contemplate. Any water height greater than 10 ft will ruin me. Only a fairly significant displacement of the storm center to the east will change this scenario and I can't see how that might happen from the forecasts.

I've got one more boat to anchor out and I'm gonna swap the 15# Danforth on Rhiannon for a 25 lb Danforth and put the 15# anchor on Alert (Alberg 30) as her secondary (with new rode). Alert has a 35# CQR primary with brand new rode. This is the best I can do and the best combination that can be accomplished with the anchors I have.

I may well escape to the west before the flooding traps me here. Water level will dictate my departure time. I love it here but I'm not ready to die for it (Strange how many things fall into this category as I attain maturity!). I am putting a dinghy in the garage with tools in it and another in the living room for household stuff that water will ruin. At least they float no matter how high the water gets. New idea!

I may not have time to post again before this storm hits but will have the netbook with me if/when I leave for points west! First thing I'm doing this morning is putting my "escape kit" together.
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How to roll blunts