Hurricane Earl

B

bwill

New Member
May 23, 2010
9
Ocean View, DE
Boat Info
2010 Sea Ray 185 Sport
Engines
Mercruiser 4.3 Alpha
Hello all:

New to boating and having to worry about hurricanes! I dock my boat in a small marina in Ocean View, DE (near Bethany Beach, DE, on the Indian River Bay.) Hurricane Earl is set to buzz the beach on Friday, giving us 40mph gusts. I live in Virginia and it would be a three hour drive and a day off of work to take it out of the water.

WWYD? Pull it out? Think the boat will get damaged? I don't think the storm surge is expected to be significant...just winds.

Anyone in the area?
 
40 MPH gusts are nothing to worry about... We get higher winds frequently, and as long as your boat is secured you should have nothing to worry about... Now if Earl decides to turn left... That is another story...
 
At the very least I would call the marina, explain your situation and ask if they could put some extra lines on the boat. Most marina owners would keep and eye on things and help you if they are able to do so.
 
I just received a call from our marina, they want us to make sure the boat is secured properly, leave extra dock lines on board incase the service dept needs to add them, if you don’t they will do it at a cost.
They will make a decision tomorrow if boats need to be pulled and will do it for us, which is good because I don’t have a trailer.
 
I should've clarified...the marina is a small marina for the neighborhood and has no regular staff tending to it (besides occasional visits from homeowners assoc. for maintenaince). Unfortunately, we are new and haven't exchanged numbers with any of the permanent residents or other boaters. Perhaps I can call the homeowners for advice. I'm pretty confident in my dock lines...I've seen it at a pretty high and then low tide and it stays in the center...waves and all. I guess I'll just keep an eye on the storm. Thanks, all!
 
We're about 15 miles from the mouth of the Potomac River...I'm debating taking my boat off the lift and onto the trailer for a day or two. Hate to do it as it's a hassle, but also will hate myself if we get some good winds, tide and waves and I'm worrying about the boat if the water rises high enough.

I'll make my decision Thursday afternoon after work once I get a good feel for the wind and tides near our place.
 
bwill, I'm north of you in Lewes, and I too live three hours from the boat, in the opposite direction of you. I just got back about a half hour ago from a nice round trip this afternoon to drop canvas, install mooring cover, add extra lines and fenders. If I had a trailerable boat, I'd pull her and take her inland until the storm passes. Since I don't have a trailer I am going to sit tight and hope that what I did will be enough. In Ocean View, I'd be worried about surge and the wind pushing alot of water into that end of the bay. I think flooding and very high water is going to do more damage than 40-50 mph winds. Are you going to the boat this weekend? I plan to go down Sat evening barring any major damage to the area.
 
It seems to be a no brainer for me. Thousands of dollars for boat or possible repairs compaired to day off at work. If Earl hits you'll need more than a day off to clean up the mess and deal with the insurance company. Just my opinion.
 
Insurance might not be an issue.

Some policies don't cover named storms.
 
comsnark said:
Insurance might not be an issue.

Some policies don't cover named storms.
Click to expand...

I checked my policy and it covers "named" storms... I think the OP's best thought is to call the homeowners association and see if someone will keep on eye on the boat for him... BTW, I raised my policy coverage...
 
Last edited:
Four Suns said:
Who the hell would get a policy that doesn't cover "named storms" if you live on the east or gulf coasts? That's like having birth control work only if you don't have sex.
Click to expand...

One might get a policy like that if they were in a situation where they could move their boat out of the path of the storm. Either on a trailer, or to another spot inland. For the MS/AL gulf coast, that might mean moving your boat inland up the TN/Tombigbee Waterway. Typically, this cuts the cost of the policy by 1/3 to 1/2.

Don
 
Thanks for all the responses. My boyfriend made the trip (on his way back now). He decided this morning that he didn't want to take the risk. I was leaning towards leaving it in, but am kind of glad he was willing to just make the trip and pull it. SCORPIO: your response helped sway me since you are close in proximity to us and you pulled yours. We'll be boating this weeked for sure (weather's supposed to be fantastic.)

BTW, not sure about my insurance policy, I'll have to check.
 
How did I end up without coverage for named storms?

"If I knew then what I know now".


:)

I knew enough to look for "seaonal layup" requirements; but I didn't think too much about asking for storm coverage. Where my boat is moored, I really am not too concerned about tropical storm conditions like what I have seen over the last 20 years in that area and what we expect in the next two days.

Of course, if I was in the Chesepeake or further South (Like Gary is), I would be humming a slightly different tune.
 
Bwill, actually I didn't pull mine out, I don't have a trailer and its overwidth so unless I get a local hauler to take her inland, I'm stuck in my slip. I did however add extra lines, fenders and reduce my windage by dropping my camper cover and installing my mooring cover. I'm glad you decided to pull your boat, its good insurance and piece of mind. Did you take it to VA or just further inland in DE. |
Good luck to us all, can't wait for this to be over.
 
Looks like we dodged a bullet here, how did you fare bwill? Looks to be a beautiful weekend, can't wait!
 
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