Storm prep for boat staying in water

04cobra23

04cobra23

Member
Aug 21, 2014
344
Boca Raton Florida
Boat Info
340DA and 215LR
Engines
Twin 8.1's and 4.3 Merc
Hey guys. Seems like south Florida is going to get some nasty weather. My dock has 4 pilings. I already have the boat setup that it doesn't touch the dock or pilings. Should I just double up the lines? Need some suggestions please.
 
I'm trying To find out the storm surge that it would bring. Right now it looks like the wind 30+mph will start at low tide 8am. It then shows 59mph at 3pm which is peak high tide then the high wind runs through the night. Low tide is 8pm
 
Do you have slides on the pilings?


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Double lines only helps you combat the forces of wind, which will be substantial with Matthew, but he real danger with this storm is going to be the surge. The bands near the eye are predicted to have 12-15ft of additional water resulting from the surge.

While you may have 4 pilings, what if the surge is higher than the top of the pilings? Better yet, if you tie with regular and storm lines at somewhere nest the normal high tide, then you get an additional 10+ ft of water on top of that, who and how are you going to even get to your boat to adjust the lines up for the rising water (in order to keep the boat centered and not banging in to he pilings)? How are you going to get to your boat to retie the lines as water level drops? Remember that you have to get to the boat…….how can you do that if there is an evacuation or low lying coastal areas? How can you get to your slip if there is an additional 10+ft of water in your marina.

This is a big, powerful dangerous storm that is supposed to be at a high category 3 or low category 4 as it passes the Bahamas. If you are in an area with more than 5-6 ft of surge predicted, you need to get your boat out of the water sometime about daylight in the morning.


Here is another fact to keep in mind. Looting in a hurricane area is rampant. The law enforcement agencies in the area will close access to coastal areas unless you can prove you have a right and a need to be there. Find and copy your slip or storage rental agreement or deed, a property tax receipt for the current year (or a lease for your home) as well as your insurance policy and dec sheet proving coverage (boat and house) and keep the copies in your car/truck. Also, expect curfews……"after work" isn't going to happen. Hurricane Opal hit this area in 1995 (high Category 3; 13 ft of surge) and access to the entire area was closed unless you had a permit issued by the local sheriff; every intersection was policed by the National Guard and you had to be in your house by 7:00PM.

Good luck with Matthew….hope you folks in SE Florida fair well.
 
As of right now the eye of the storm is going to be off shore. Where can I find out how much surge the storm will bring into my area? (Delray Beach). I keep my boat behind a house.
 
If you haul out for the storm, make sure where ever you put the boat is higher than the predicted storm surge. I often see boats pulled for a storm and placed on the hard a few yards from the slip. If you get a big surge, the boat will float off the stands/trailer.
 
Four components of these storms that require consideration - Wind, rising water, rain, and flying debris.

Wind will stress the boat's anchorage; Doubling the lines to other anchor points (if possible) reduces the chance of an failure of a line or anchor point like a cleat. Install spring lines both going forward and aft. Reduce the boat's windage like take down the canvas. Lower and tie down antennas and outriggers. If you can run an anchor out and get a good set without obstructing others do that also.

Rising water is usually our biggest concern - hopefully you have tall pilings; I do on the bow but not aft. Tie and secure as high above the boat's cleat or hawse that when the boat rises to that point it will still not impact the piling and ensure your tie will not slide down or up off the piling. I do not allow slack in these ties as you don't want to add to the slack when the water rises; and it will. Your springs lines really come into play with rising water so pay attention to them; run spring lines both fore and back. In my case the aft lines are crossed and tie at dock level; our docks are not floating so I move the boat well away from the dock and allow these lines to "pull" the boat back towards the dock when the water rises. The longer you can make the aft lines the better the boat will manage the rising water. In fact the longer you can make all the lines the tighter they can be made in preparation. Avoid any short tight ties as these will hinder the boat's vertical and lateral movement. It goes without saying but ensure your lines are in good repair and of adequate size.

Rain is a principal boat damaging factor. Wind drives rain into every possible crevasse. Consider taping up hatches, instrument covers, and other areas water can find it's way into the boat. Check and clear all drains. Verify your batteries are fully charged and ready to support the boats bilge pumps for at least a day; usually the marinas will turn off the marina power when they evac. If you have a dingy on the boat consider getting it off and put in the garage or if you cant get it off flip if upside down and pull the plug out of the transom; if it fills with water the weight will probably damage your boat. Tie it down securely as you don't want it to fly and damage your boat of someone else's.

Isolate anything that can become airborne and become a projectile for both your boat's well being and others. Walk the area and secure other potential objects that can fly. If you notice something on another boat that can possibly be of concern discuss with the owner / captain and/or discuss with the marina.

Last but not least, take photos of your configuration and property and the environment around your boat. And, get the boat's documents off the boat.
Certainly, there is much more to consider but hopefully this will help.
 
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ttmott. I will get to the boat today in between tides. If I tie the lines high up on the piling with no slack what about when the tide goes down?
 
Do you have any neighbors or folks in the area you could ask directly about proper prep? It sure sounds like you're running out of time to prep your boat.

Good luck down there!!!
 
I would run it south while you have the chance.......Try Haulover Marine Center - It just opened a week or two ago and has a lot of space.....It was built for cat5 - If you MUST leave it in Boca make sure you have enough slack for low tide, and some extra for the serge t high- that extra slack might put you into the pilings at mid tide - depending on how your set up, rails on the pilings, fender boards, or extra fenders on the boat may help.....
 
I sat through the last storm that we were on the east side of it. We had 11 ft surge @ high tide at 12:30 AM. I sat it out all night with my lines doubled and extra loose. It was interesting but we made it without a scratch. I would expect we will get winds and some rain out of this one as it is going to be on the east side of the state. Good luck to all on the east coast. Be safe!
 
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