Conference unifix::sailing

    
    	Unless you live in a cave, how 'bout read a newspaper or 
    	listen to a radio or watch tv or something?  
    

    I was sort of in a cave this weekend, spent most of Saturday cooped
    up on the boat and did not see a paper or listen to news since last
    Friday.  How much damage was done to the Virgin Islands?  Any
    comparisons to Klaus back in 84 or 85?  Enquiring minds need to
    know!  

    For the best "forecast", just look at the weather charts behind the 
    forecasters on the 6pm and 11 pm news.  Ignore the forecaster, they are
    usually spending all their time telling you the difference in
    temperatures between Westboro and Foxboro.  Ther charts show it all,
    however.
    
    Now, the reason for this note:  It's interesting to see two hurricanes,
    one right on the tail of another.  According to the National hurricane
    bureau, the rotation of Hugo could deflect Igo(?) right up the Eastern
    U.S. coast slot.  It certainly has my attention for the next couple of
    days. 

    R e a d  t h e  n e w s  p a p e r s ,  w a t c h   t h e   s i x
    o c l o c k   n e w s,    w e t   r i g h t   i n d e x   f i n g e r
    a n d   h o l d   u p   i n   s k y................
    
    Wow, I never thought a those things.........  Unfortunately the papers
    are a day late, a lot can happen in 8 hours between morning & evening
    news casts, and lastly, the only blast of air to dry the north edge of
    ones index finger only arrives when someone opens up the men's room door 
    fast. 
    
    I thought there might just be another notes file that tracked such
    things.
    
    in the meanwhile, I'm going to Bristol this afternoon and I'll let
    you know what todays weather is like, tomorrow.....
    
    Don

    Last I heard (last night's news) told tales of severe destruction to
    some of the Virgin Islands (Montserrat and St Croix were wiped out). 
    Northwestern Puerto Rico got slammed, heavy damage and some casualties.
    
    Basically, they admitted nobody knows where it's coming ashore in the
    U.S., but the range is somewhere between Miami and the N.C. coastline.
    
    They said something to the effect that this is the worst damage
    sustained by hurricane in the VIs in about 50 years.
    
    Hope this helps ...
    			... Bob
    

    Hope it goes away. We're supposed to be taking our boat to its
    hibernating grounds in casco bay this weekend...

    Check note 1337.1
    
    Sorry about the misspelling and poor typeing, but STILL would
    appreciate any info or experience with securing a boat against
    a hurricaine.
    The CBS news showed all kinds of yachts smashed at their docks
    in Puerto Rico.
    
    P.S. Does anyone with Skill want to ride this out at sea??
    
    Regards,  Mike

    RE .7
    
    >> Does anyone with Skill want to ride this out at sea?
    
    Would anyone with brains want to be out in that???  I think not.
    
    I'd hazard a guess that your life's worth more than your boat. 
    Wouldn't you agree?
    
    ... Bob
    

    Re .6 
    
    Good luck. The forecasters a guessing that Hugo will strike the
    mainland sometime Friday with Iris coming up further north.
    
    We just returned last week from a week of sailing in Casco bay.
    It was grest except we had to do alot of navigating in fog.
    
    We moor at Cape Porpoise, Maine and when we returned last Tuesday,
    we rounded Cape Elizabeth and hit six foot seas. By the time we
    reached Richmond Island the seas had built to eight feet, by Wood
    Island we had 10 foot seas and when we rounded the #2 bell at Cape
    Porpoise, we had breakers crashing onto the ledges on either side
    that were as high as a second story house with 12 foot swells in
    the main channel to the harbor.
    
    This was my first experience with anything larger than 5 feet. It
    was real good experience, Thank gawd they were swells and not white
    water. The cause wqas the remains of Gaberial (sp).
    
    Due to the new storm(s), I will be going up to the boat Wednesday
    night after work to strip off the sails, store the horseshoe ring,
    remove all electronics, books, binoculars, and other personal stuff.
    
    Although I am on a mooring with a 350 lbs mushroom anchor with 40
    feet of 3/8 in chain and 40 feet of 3/4 inch nylon rode, I will
    be setting my 26 lbs Danforth on at least 120 feet of rode.
    
    I withstood last October 12th storm in good shape, and I only hope
    this will be sufficient for whats coming.
    
    Paul

      >> I'd hazard a guess that your life's worth more than your boat.
    
         In my case, that's border line at best :-)

    The answer is most assuredly NOT!!  As I am in hock far beyond my
    means and way above my eyeballs, my wife and daughter can use the
    life insurance. BTW - the boat insurance covers ocean cruising and
    storm dammage too.
    
    Regards,  Mike
    

    Awwwh crud!  First I agree to pull out by October 6th (due to last
    year's little misfortune) and now it looks even that will be pushing
    it.  In terms of sobering experiences, looking at what a storm did to
    my boat will prevent me from ever wanting to ride it out on the vessel.
    
    I would, however, let Bob Bailey ride it out ;^).
    
    Dave

    No thanks Dave.  My one and only experience in a gale (70+ kt wind) has
    taught me that the only way to ride out that kind of storm is from the
    relative safety of shore.
    
    Anything over about 40 kts. just ain't worth the thrill ...
    
    ... Bob
    

    I was at the Southampton Boat Show (UK) at the weekend and spent
    some time on The Met Office stand. They were running a computer
    model via a link to the Bracknell Centre showing the likely tracks
    of Hugo and it's sucessor Iris (?). They believed that Hugo could
    it the US anywhere between Florida and Mass but the forcaster on
    duty favoured NC as the likely point of impact. During the post
    mortem of the Hurrican that hit the UK a couple of years back the
    conclusion was that you could take basic precautions such as removing
    any gear that provides wind resistance and valuables from below,
    plus making sure that you are well secured......but you really required
    a large slice of luck, many boats were sunk at their moorings by
    other runaway boats etc, in Chichester a 50 + foot Swan heeled to
    the wind lifting the pontoon it was secured to clean out of the
    water........... So good luck to you all.
    
    Pete         
                                                     

    Ref: 1347.4
    Don: You missed the point:  The weather map tellls you what the weather
    is expected to be 8 to 12 hours ahead. Believe me, it is one of the
    best indicators there is.  It replaces buying a weather fax.  When
    cruising, we have a 12 volt T.V. aboard for just that purpose. On
    one trip to Nantucket, we were just below the Cape Cod Canal one year
    when a hurricane swung just East of Nantucket, directly where we were
    heading.  The forecasters didn't even mention it, but we picked it up
    on the satellite display behind them.
    Oh, in regard to the South shore weather, thanks for the Bristol input,
    but we don't need it right now.  My son is sitting at Nantasket Boat
    Basin with his 34 ft'r.  

RE: the notes about riding out a hurricane at sea.

I know reading about it isnt quite the same as doing it, but if you want to read
some truly hairaising storm at sea stuff, try GREY SEAS UNDER and the SERPENTS
COIL by Farley Mowat. These are both stories of ocean going tugs conducting
salvage and rescue at sea, mostly in hurricanes. Fantastic reading, and makes
it quite clear you wouldnt choose to do it!

    Latest reports I've seen are predicting it'll come ashore sometime
    Friday somewhere between Cape Hatteras and north-central Florida. 
    Nobody's talking about what Iris will do yet.
    
    The guy Dan Rather interviewed last evening said there's a slim
    possibility it'll turn north when it hits the coast, in which case it
    could come as far north as New Jersey.
    
    RE: riding it out at sea
    
    Another good book is FASTNET.  It'll tell you all about what a
    hurricane can do to a sailboat.
    
    Of course, some of us don' need no steenking books to know better.
    
    ... Bob
    

    The following is what I got yesterday from a co-worker who has some
    experience in meteorology.  In the wintertime, he keeps us posted
    of storms threatening the Southern New Hampshire/Mass. area.  If
    you like, you can send him MAIL asking to be put on his .DIStribution
    list.  In the meantime, he's given me permission to post updates
    here on Hugo.  Standard disclaimers apply.  Don't blame him or me
    if the last note you read said Hugo was headed for Guatemala and
    it comes ashore at Great Misery instead.  :-)
    

    	From:	MEIS::DEHARPPORTE "DEAN DEHARPPORTE, TWO/A15, 247-2151  
    		19-Sep-1989 0943" 19-SEP-1989 10:08
    	To:	@SNOW.DIS
    	CC:	DEHARPPORTE
    	Subj:	Hugo

Early morning coordinates were 21.2N, 67.7W. Winds have decreased to 105mph 
and there is no longer an organized eye. Movement was toward the 
north-northwest at 12mph. The storm is still curving toward straight north. 

Each of the National Hurricane Center computer forecast models is predicting a
different path for the storm, ranging from a landfall in south Florida to North
Carolina. This is because of differing physical assumptions and approximations 
made by the various models. In such a situation, intuition is probably as good 
as any of the models. My intuition is that Hugo will continue north-northwest
and not curve toward the Florida coast. It has already reached the longitude of
eastern Maine. I expect it to cross the coast somewhere between Cape Hatteras, 
North Carolina and Cape Cod by Friday. As for intensity, the best bet is that 
it will strengthen a bit and reform an eye before reaching the coast.

But I could EASILY be wrong. It could yet stall off the coast for several days
and then move harmlessly out to sea. Listen to the forecasters for the latest
information.

As for tropical storm Iris (top winds of about 60 mph), I didn't get any hard 
info on her this morning, but I did glean that she is several hundred miles 
southeast of Hugo and moving north-northwest. Iris is probably too far out to 
sea to influence the U.S. coast since she has already turned to the
north-northwest. Also, Hugo is robbing her of the energy she needs to mature 
into a hurricane.

Dean0

    Well, back to the original question (Is there another notes file
    that keeps abreast of these things?).  Yes there is.  It is 
    LDPSCI::Meteorology.  The previous two reports are also posted there.
    There is a small discussion on the effects one hurricane has over
    a neighboring one and the impact it may have on the paths of the
    two.  The Hugo note is #121.  I found this wandering through VTX
    and the Easynotes listing under employee interests - FYI. 
    
    Brian

REF .9

Please haelp save your boat and get rid of the nylon rode that 
you mentioned. I would recommend replacing it with 1/4 or 5/16 
chain for a storm. Too often another boat catches the rode and if 
nylon then two boats are loose. Some folks use fire hose over the 
chain wher it crosses the deck of the boat.

Good Luck

    Norm,
    
    Tell me more about how you would fasten it to a sampson post, which
    is what I have, or a mooring bit.
    
    What kind of length would you  use between the mooring bouy and
    your bow chock. ?
    
    Don

    Re .22
    
    Don,
    
    Probably not only good or possible answer, but in the past I have done
    the following:
    
    1.  Knowing high tide depth at mooring (a) and total length of current
    	mooring tackle (b), add enough chain so new tackle length (b') 
    	equals 3x the high tide depth plus anticipated surge (c), i.e. b' =
    	3x(a+c).
    
       	This, of course, assumes you have the swing room to do so and are 
    	on approriate mushroom.  If not, I would let out as much as I can 
    	without hitting anyone else (Plan B).
    
    2.	Take chain only to bridle (Not through chocks on either side of bow). 
    	End chain to oversized shackle.  Attach shackle to oversized thimble
    	seized adequately to center of one or more loops of bridle line 
    	(nylon for shock absorbancy) running from deck fastening point (see
    	below) through chocks on either side of bow then to chain.  Top 
    	quality carpet slabs with dense backing are good for chafe resistance 
    	and can be cut to fit just about any configuration.  Leather, fire 
    	hose also good, garden hose not since abrasion resistance unpredic-
    	table due to varialbe material and wall thickness qualities..
    
    3.	Unless sampson post goes to keel or other mounting area other than 
    	deck, you might want to distribute the load on the post and deck 
    	by taking round turn around post and ending bridle around mast at
    	cabin/deck partners (if mast keel stepped) or some other strong
    	point(s) such as genoa/spinnaker cleats, etc. if mast deck stepped.
    
    4.	No matter whose mooring it was, I would check chain and shackles in
    	person, even if it meant going for a swim.  The peace of mind is
    	well worth it.
    
    5.	If you haven't already, check chocks for minor casting defects or
    	parting lines (where casting molds separate and metal makes ridges) 
    	to make sure castings are absolutely smooth.  Know a fellow who took 
    	all precautions but lost boat because there was slight parting line
    	seam that became very sharp under severe tension.  He had never
    	noticed it on inside face of chock horn.
    
    6.	Note the colors of the boats around you to save time post storm 
    	should insurance negotiations be necessary (Saves time to know who
    	did the damage to you and might save your premiums).  Color is
    	acceptable evidence of who did what to whom.
    
    7.	Rest easy knowing your boat is well secured.
    
    7.	Buy bottle of bourbon to ride out storm and help you deal with 
    	other boat owners who weren't so careful.     
                                                    

    For those of you who have been trying to sell their boat without
    sucess:
    
    We will rent out our mooring during the storm for $5000/day.  Proven
    record of success.  
    
    Dave ;^)

    Well it looks like a lot of rain, but the winds have subsided as
    of the 6AM NOAA report.  
    
    Here in Norfolk we have rain and about 35kt winds and they are calling
    for gusts to 50-60.  With further weakening as Hugo runs over land
    at over 25 MPH, we and y'all to the north should get off pretty
    easy.
    
    All the boats in my marina look naked so everyone prepared well.
    The storm surge was the main concern because we already had very
    high tides due to the NE blow all week.  Last Monday we were 6 ft
    above MHW.
    
    Further good news is the fury of Hugo before it hit land did the
    job on Iris.  It no longer has the organization of a storm.
    

	From:	MEIS::DEHARPPORTE "DEAN DEHARPPORTE, TWO/A15, 247-2151  
    		22-Sep-1989 0925" 22-SEP-1989 09:25
	Subj:	HUGO will be remembered 

    Charleston devastated but no fatalities reported YET. It looks like it
    could have been even worse in Charleston, since the left edge of the
    eyewall passed over the city. The very strongest winds were probably
    along the coast just northeast of the city in a sparsely populated
    area. They will be talking about this one in Dixieland long after those
    who lived to experience are gone.
    
    At 8AM Hugo was downgraded to a tropical storm, with top gusts to
    70mph in thunderstorms. Several tornadoes have been reported
    overnite. Hugo location was just north of Charlotte, NC. Gusts to 70mph
    and some damage reported there. Movement was toward the
    north at about 25mph. It is headed along the eastern edge of the
    Appalachians today, just west of Winston-Salem, NC and Roanoke, VA.
    Damage should be light from the winds, unless there are additional
    tornadoes. Flooding could be a major problem, however, as conditions are
    "perfect" for torrential rainfall over already saturated soil. 
    
    Tonight Hugo should move north northeast thru PA and NY, possibly
    curving into northern New England tomorrow morning. Since its forecast 
    track is farther
    west than yesterday, winds on the New England coast will probably not be
    severe, probably in the range of 25-50mph from the south or southeast
    occurring late tonite and early tomorrow. Tornadoes should not be a 
    problem. A blast of cold air moving into the Midwest this morning will 
    move in here on Sunday. Autumn arrives officially this evening. Today, 
    meanwhile, enjoy what will probably be the last real summer day until next 
    April or May.
    
   - Dean0

HI DON,
The fellow from a couple of replies back answered the question 
about he Sampson Post so I won't repeadt it. I see no problem 
with chain through fire hose anound the post and have used it. 
Also use a small line to keep it in position from jumping off the 
post.
norm

    Thanks for the chain management information...
    
    What a day Sunday!!! Hugo left us some great winds on Narragansett Bay
    for most of the day!!
    
    Saturday was a differnt story. A partner of mine was down and reported
    that Saturday morning (Bristol Harbor) was some rough time with high
    seas. On top of that there was some kind of a "micro-burst" ??? that
    dumped extreme winds downward in the harbor. At least one 24 ft open
    power boat was flipped, and a number of sailboats dragged their
    moorings. He said it probably lasted no more than a minute or two.
    
    Don

I've been interested in the effects that Hugo had on the BVI since my 
wife and I have chartered there several times with great enjoyment.  And, 
also from curiosity about the effects of a storm like this one on the 
boats there and people living on them, since maybe we'll win the lottery 
some day.

Until there are some first hand accounts from those there appearing in 
Sail or Crusing World with real meat to them, the following is the best 
I've been able to gather.  I share if for others interested.
  
Since my wife and I have chartered from the Moorings in Tortola, BVI
previoulsy, I received a letter from the Moorings dated September 20, 
1989 reporting on the impact that Hugo had on their operations.  I
include portions of the letter here (without permission). 

"Tortola, in the BVI, was the worst hit of all our bases.  Fortunately 
there are no injuries to employees or their families.  Our facilities, 
including Treasure Isle and the docks, sustained only minor damages, but 
yachts and employees' houses suffered significant damage. ...

"We expect to have 85% of our Tortola fleet in operation by October 2.  
The remainder of the fleet should be operating by December 15.  The St. 
Martin facilities came through okay.  All but one of our boats will be 
in commission by the Saturday, September 23, 1989.  Guadaloupe docks and 
facilities are intact, but five boats will be out of commission for 
about five weeks.  St. Lucia has very little damage to facilities or 
boats (and we regained our beach).  Grenada had no damage."

I left out the portion of the letter giving information about the 
various relief funds that have been set up.  Among them, one by the 
Moorings.  If anyone has any interest, I'll provide the information by 
VAXMail or as a reply to this note.

After a phone conversation with the Moorings main office, I was told the 
following about damage on other of the BV Islands.  Most of this 
information is oriented around restaurants and bars.

1. Foxy's in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke is intact.

2. Sidney's and Harris' in Little Harbor, JVD, were extensively damaged, 
no information about Abe's.

3. North Gorda Sound, Virgin Gorda, had little damage.

4. The William Thornton, the Bight, Norman Island is intact.

5. Peter Island had damage, and the Beach Club there is undergoing 
repair.

6. The Cooper Island Beach club was damaged and closed for several weeks 
for repairs.

7. Most of Cane Garden Bay, Tortola was extensively damaged.  Having 
been there in late August (sailed there from Anegada during a series of 
heavy squalls), I suspect  that much of the damage there is due to heavy 
rain and run-off.  After 1/2 day of heavy rain, there were several deep 
gulleys cut through from the hills to the beach.  My guess is the rain 
from Hugo would have caused extensive erosion to the point of 
undermining foundations, etc.  It's not clear what the wind and sea 
caused damage would be since Cane Garden Bay is on the north shore of 
Tortola, sheltered by high hills, and the storm track was to the south 
of the island.

We will be there again in late April, when I intend to get information 
first hand about the preparations they took with the boats, and talk to 
as many cruisers as I can.

Bruce

                          

    If you have access to the Wall Street Journal, look at today's
    (October 19th) issue, page "A7" for one location's results of Hugo.
    I would be tempted to title it "Who's slip is this, anyhow"!!