[Rhodes22-list] Hurricane Earl

[Michael D. Weisner]

Hi Jon,

If at all possible, put your boat on the trailer, if you have one.  That's 
where mine is as of this afternoon.  I don't play with hurricanes when I 
have a choice.

I moor my Rhodes 22 in the Nissequogue River (protected harbor) just off the 
LI Sound on a 250 lb mushroom anchor on 30' of chain with a midpoint swivel 
in 10-18' (7-8' tidal change) of water.  Since this area is mostly sand, the 
mushroom digs in about 2-1/2'.  I use two 1/2" pennants to secure to the 
mooring.

There are several items of concern when riding out a storm on a mooring. 
You need to make sure that your boat stays where it is through wind and 
storm surge.  Make sure that you have enough chain (scope) so that the storm 
surge doesn't lift your mushroom anchor.

Make sure that your mooring lines and cleats are in good condition and that 
ALL SAILS ARE STOWED BELOW.  If you chose to leave furled sails exposed to 
the winds, please use a couple of sail ties or canopy ties to secure the 
genny so that it doesn't deploy in strong winds.  Remove all loose items 
from the cockpit and secure the boom with a line since the boat may pitch 
quite a bit.  I also recommend lowering the rudder blade and securing the 
tiller.  Clean out the cockpit drains.  Double check the mooring pennants 
(use two, just in case.)

Next, take a good look around your mooring.  Look for other boats that are 
not well secured.  My mooring didn't move in hurricane Bob ('91) but when I 
went out to check on the boat, I found 2 others that had been secured to my 
mooring.  One and an undersized anchor that picked up and wrapped around 
mine.  The other boat was tied to my stern cleat, presumably by a bay 
constable when it broke free from its mooring.  You may want to help secure 
your neighbor's boat since many do not even check on their boats prior to 
the storm.  The boat you save may be your own.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY

From: "Jonathan King" Thursday, September 02, 2010 11:57 PM
> Our Rhodes is moored in North Bay, Osterville off of Nantucket Sound.
> The site is protected, the mooring is #300lb, and I'm not worried
> about 50 mph winds. But less certain as to boat safety if the winds
> hit hurricane force >74 mph. Does anyone have experience with
> behavior of our craft in very high winds off a mooring or anchor?
> Jon King
> 1990 Sea Otter
>
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