Hurricane Protection for Your Boat

8/21/2008

1:25 PM

What was thought to become Hurricane Fay is now just south of Daytona Beach as she has been for almost 48 hours. Tropical storm Fay as she's known is dropping huge amounts of rain in Florida; as much as 24 inches in Cocoa and producing some high winds.

For reference, I'm directly on the ocean at the Georgia/Florida border.

The data buoy some 30 miles offshore is clocking wind speeds of 38 mph with wave heights of 11 feet.

I walked out to the beach earlier and could not stand up against the wind. The waves are pounding.

So what can you do if you own a used trawler in these waters?

Earlier, I rode with the owner of the 43 Albin he recently purchased to check on his boat.

Boats can handle the winds of hurricanes or tropical storms with no problems. It's the pounding waves, the pounding of another boat or the pounding of the boat against a dock that usually gets them.

In this photo, the owner has rigged

multiple lines to keep his boat off of

the floating docks. He has used about 6 3/4 inch nylon lines attached to tall pilings.

In addition, the boat is facing east, where the wind was expected to come in from, allowing the used boat to ride the waves.

Next, notice that he has secured the bimini and canvas to eliminate "sails" which would put pressure on everything.

In addition, multiple fenders are placed alongside to keep the boat

away from the dock if the lines stretch too much. Fenders should be attached to the dock other wise they will blow out leaving the hull against the dock itself.

Notice the tops of the pilings. Be sure rising tides will not spill over or the docks and all the boats will be cast to the wind.

This boat's owner did not prepare very well.

8/22/2008

5:55PM

Update!

The Albin's owner and I visited his used trawler again today to check things out. Winds were very strog at the time.

Heavy seas (2-4) were upon her on the bow. One boat has already sunk and another was in the marsh downwind. It was one hell of a sight; boats pitching and banging into the docks. Some of the 42-50 foot sailboats on the outer docks may not make it.

We rigged additional lines from her bow to pilings and secured the fenders on the water so they did not blow out. We worry that the dock may break apart now.

We were accosted by the local police while we were on the dock, they were fearing for our safety.

As a Libertarian, I am fully aware of the danger I was taking to secure the boat and don't need a 24 year old with a 38 special to protect me. After ignoring his pleadings, we finally left the dock.

We did go back shortly afterwards to adjust the lines again; we even had a policeman help us.

So, all said and done, the winds have dropped in the last hour or so and I think we have the Odyssea as well tended as we can.

She'll be fine I am sure.