Tropical Storm Henri

[Irie308]

Not seeing to much chatter about this storm however forecast has it possible making landfall in New England as a hurricane. What are you guys in the northeast doing to prep? We're new to the Mystic area and fixed docks so what has me nervous is the storm surge. Considering having boat hauled.

 

[hughespat57]

Even 75 mph wind and driven rain can do a fair bit of damage. But storm surge is always the most damaging, be beaten against a dock for 6-12 hours. And looking at 2-4 foot above normal tide, so depends on when it makes land fall vs high tide. And how high would that be on your docks?

 

[Bruce Butler]

I recieved an email from the insurance company to pull the boat if its in water. Mine is home on the trailer. I would go on the side of caution and pull the boat rather than take a chance.

 

[tdschafer]

I am planning on adding extra lines. I'm going to take down the camper top & put on drop back top for less wind resistance. If I haul it now, in all likleyhood I'd leave it out. We've only been able to get out once this season. It has been a lost year.....

 

[Irie308]

Yeah, we are in that 3-5 ft range. Not sure when it would make land but don't even want to play the guessing game so going to have the yard haul it. Gave them instructions a while back as to what to do with a named storm so we are already on the list.

 

[Irie308]

I am planning on adding extra lines. I'm going to take down the camper top & put on drop back top for less wind resistance. If I haul it now, in all likleyhood I'd leave it out. We've only been able to get out once this season. It has been a lost year.....

Don't want to jinx labor day but so far this season all the holidays have been a wash so you may not be missing much if you don't drop it back in.

 

[FootballFan]

Double your lines everywhere you can.

Tie as long of lines as you can, anything tied with a short line is a concern.

Personally I don't like relying on fenders, I want the lines (long) holding the boat in the center of the slip. Fender boards are much more likely to stay in place with the rising and falling water.

Look at the height of the pilings, will the expected surge raise the boat above the pilings? If that condition is expected, I would definitely want out of the slip.

Make sure there are no loose objects on the exterior of the boat or the dock.

I like securing the covers on instruments with duct tape (yes, its messy, but the normal cover will blow off).

Look at the other boats nearby. A lot of damage results from other boats which are not secured properly coming loose and blowing into your boat.

That's what I think of immediately - sure that I missed something but confident others will respond with additional tips.

Good luck!

 

[Irie308]

Since we've decided to have the boat hauled curious what the flybridge owners do in terms of the bridge enclosure. Do you take them down or do you leave it up?

 

[swaterhouse]

Where in Mystic are you? Maybe find out where the tide was for hurricane Bob in 1991. Current track is very similar, but IIRC Bob was cat2 when it landed.

This is one of the reasons we like where we are, protection from storm surge. If the tide rises above the New Bedford hurricane barrier, the boat will be the last of our problems.

 

[Irie308]

Where in Mystic are you? Maybe find out where the tide was for hurricane Bob in 1991. Current track is very similar, but IIRC Bob was cat2 when it landed.

This is one of the reasons we like where we are, protection from storm surge. If the tide rises above the New Bedford hurricane barrier, the boat will be the last of our problems.

Hey Scott, Congrats on the new boat. We are Shipyard west. We are over an hour away from the boat so instead of worrying about it we're going to head up and prep and have it hauled.

 

[FootballFan]

Since we've decided to have the boat hauled curious what the flybridge owners do in terms of the bridge enclosure. Do you take them down or do you leave it up?

Over the years I have done both. Depends on the severity of the storm, path of the storm as it impacts the boat, etc.

A cat 1 I have always left bridge canvas in place.

 

[jmauld]

Some insurance companies will cover the haul out charge in prep for a hurricane. The issue around here is finding a yard that has the capacity to actually haul out, especially on short notice. Our yards nixed the hurricane lists because they couldn't manage the requests.

For the enclosures, they need to be all up or all down. No in between. If the wind can get inside the enclosure it'll tear it apart. I would lean towards all down.

 

[carterchapman]

Safe wishes for all of you - 30 years is a long time between storms. Unfortunately, we deal with it more often in FL. I'm a believer in hauling...and removing canvas isenglass...

 

[swaterhouse]

Hey Scott, Congrats on the new boat. We are Shipyard west. We are over an hour away from the boat so instead of worrying about it we're going to head up and prep and have it hauled.

Probably not a bad idea, that is a fairly exposed area.

As mentioned many insurance policies cover some preparedness, including haul outs. Does not count as a claim. Ours covers up to $2500.

 

[Jeremygavin]

We are getting it hauled tomorrow at Cowessett RI where we winter store. It is not worth the risk or worry. I was going to keep it in the water and ride it out up until I woke up this morning and they are now calling it a cat 1 hurricane. My issue is the boat is on the cape and they are known to shut down the bridges over the canal in hurricane force winds so I wouldn’t be able to get to the boat to check on it if I am off cape. If I stay down on cape with the boat then I am isolated from my house and all my rental properties and there could be issues with those so easier for me to pull it and then not have to worry. I will be taking down my enclosure because it is only 1 season old and I don’t need to have it damaged. My insurance covers 1/2 my costs up to $1000.
Stay safe and good luck with what ever you guys decide to do.

 

[scoflaw]

shut down the bridges? When's the last time that happened? LOL I've lived her 50 years

 

[Fill Ess]

Up near Boston and no plans to haul (yet). All windows and sides are down. I was hoping to leave up the bimini and camper top to make it through this season until GL is taking orders again. The zippers are toast so if I take it down I might not be able to get it back up again

One of the kids left one of the side window latches open so I took on some water in the aft cabin again but good thing I saw it before the REAL rains starts.

I'll go with the cockpit cover for sure.

 

[Fill Ess]

Still time for one more pre-Henry run in the morning!

 

[b_arrington]

As of now its going basically right over me.

 

[Pirate Lady]

I thought what is Cat 1, didnt sound so bad, so i looked it up, can be 95mph winds. Worse than i thought. Good luck.
Y’all exposed to the ocean? No hurricane holes?