What do you about Hurricanes?

[hellosailor]

"Sail in the Pacific. "
Right. Then you may get clocked by a cyclone or a typhoon, but *never* by a hurricane.
Tsunami anyone?

[xymotic]

What to do? GTFO

[Minnewaska]

Another thought. Most marinas around here have a hurricane haul out list that you must get on early in the season to insure they can get you out. In the short period of time, they just can't get everyone out.

A smaller boat would have more options, but you would find yourself scrambling. I guess, on a limited budget, this isn't much of an option anyway.

Just about any New England cruising guide will tell you where the hurricane holes are for highly protected anchoring. Or just ask here, if you see one coming. Its hard to imagine you could be more than a day (probably much less) away from one at any time and we usually get 5 days notice of a real threat.

If you're hunkered down in one, sails stripped, and decked buttoned down and she looks like she will hit, then grab a bag of clothes, catch a train and get out of dodge. This is what insurance is for, which will also be much cheaper if you get above the Carolinas from July through Oct.

[mdi]

Never having been through one on a boat and having read others accounts of being on a boat, most say they would not stay on the boat again.

It is hard to leave one's home but it would be good to live to fight another day so to speak. So I think I would secure the boat on the hard if possible, but unlikely as everyone else will be doing that as well, then if unavailable secure her in as safe a mooring as I can and then get me and my crew on high land.

Most of the damage I have observed in the local area of Pensacola is due to one vessel slamming into another, boats slammed into pilings or blown off of lifts. The majority of the damage from the wind was canvass and such, no sinkings due to wind and rain.

[aeventyr60]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

"Sail in the Pacific. "
Right. Then you may get clocked by a cyclone or a typhoon, but *never* by a hurricane.
Tsunami anyone?

Yep! All kinds of stuff happening in the Pacific as well. We sailed down to New Zealand in 01 to get out of the "cyclone, Typhoon" season. dodged an early Season Cyclone " in Vanuatu" in 06. Weathered another close one in Townsville, QLD, Australia in 08 and another really close call in Palawan, Phillipines in 2010.. so yeah tell me how much safer the Pacific is....We aborted out trip to Japan after the Tsunami, tidal wave and Nuclear disaster in Japan.... Best you wannabees stay home with your apps......Oh yeah, we will suffer with Thai curry, prawns on the BBQ, bar girls and the other delights of a Hurricane, typhoon free Asai, Yes we will be getting out of dodge on the tsunami warnings from the earthquakes in Sumatra...Geez, and all the things I've got worry about...

[capta]

First, forget the notion that there are safe "hurricane holes" out there. After you and a couple of dozen other boats have set your gear and snuggle down to wait for the weather to deteriorate, all the local boats, cargo, fishing, tour, etc. will rush in at the last moment and drop some anchors. The crew will often leave the boats and you will be looking for another anchorage pretty late in the game.
We spent this hurricane season in Grenada and it's a blast. Hundreds of boats, lots to do, planned events (like 1/2 price pizza nights) or not, hiking trails etc. and overall, it's pretty inexpensive.
Should a hurricane threaten Grenada (it happens a few times a century), Trinidad is only 80 miles away and they've never had a hurricane, I believe.
Both Grenada and Trinidad are considered to be hurricane safe by most insurance companies.
Dockside is not generally a safe place to be in any storm beyond low cat 1; many will give you the boot anyway.

[outbound]

Is Antigua OK. ? Should be south enough. What's the harbor like?
Any experience with the Jordan series drogue being caught out.
What do you guys use for snubbers if you're stuck in harbor swinging on chain?
Thought most insurances require you be north of Ga during hurricane season.
Watch the weatherfax and 96h prediction but gonna catch weather some time.

[MarkofSeaLife]

Originally Posted by outbound

Is Antigua OK. ? Should be south enough. What's the harbor like?
.

No Antigua is not safe at all. It's right in the middle of the zone. It's is definitely not south enough.
Nelson's Dockyard would be a good place to have the boat in a hurricane however all spots there are reserved before the season starts. There is a committee that operates it. As I understand it the folks there will not be happy if some other boat has nicked their emergency mangrove location.

[outbound]

Tx.