Here We Go Again

I've ridden out one hurricane, and two strong tropcial storms here aboard the New Dawn.

Living on a small sailboat, one becomes very attuned to the ways of wind, water and waves.  Great respect must be given to these forces.  No matter how prepared we think that we are, really.....we're not.

I'll be securing all the loose gear, clearing everything abovedecks, and I have the "go-bag" packed and ready.

Obviously, it's too early to project with any certainty where this storm will hit.  Could be anywhere from Northern Mexico all the way East to Beaumont.  Either way, no hurricane is to be taken lightly, so I'll watch, and prepare accordingly.

So, I'll be ready, either way.  I'll have a full 36 gallons of water tanked aboard, my diesel is topped off at sixteen gallons, and I can make all the electricity I need off of the alternator and inverter.  It's nice to have a 'fridge that runs off of 110 VAC or 12 VDC, as needed!

Of course, I have an ample stock of non-perishable food, flashlight batteries and other stores on board.

Need you even ask about defenses?  There won't be any looters on these docks, I assure you.

If Rita stays a Category Two storm or below, I'll ride 'er out aboard ship.  Two things will serve notice to me to abandon ship as she approaches.  A storm of Category Three or higher, or her arrival on a high-tide and a forecast storm surge of any more than ten feet.

The marina I'm in is actually a damned good hurricane hole.  If it was just that, I'd stay aboard even through a Category Three storm.

But I can't go around to the dozens of other, less well attended to boats, most with overaged docklines, loose rigging and gear, and get those boats ready to withstand a blow.

My neighbors and I have done what we can to strengthen the lines on those old boats, even to donating spare cordage from our own decks.  We do what we can, but it's never enough

Rita is a week or so away, so for now I'll just keep watching.  But unlike Mayor Nagin, I know when it's time go for higher ground.

More later, as developments occur.

Comments

[MorningGlory]

I'll be watching and hoping you don't have to abandon ship. The next one could easily be headed my way (NC).

=MG=

[ILTim]

Please excuse the ignorant question, but why not move? I have an Aunt who lived in houston or galveston (I don't recall) for a few years, said people towed thier mobile homes a couple hundred miles inland when a big storm was comin.

[Jim]

IL Tim. It's a good question, not a stupid one. But moving a thirty foot sloop isn't a cakewalk.

I'd have to contract an overland hauler, dis-mast the boat, pay the boatyard to hoist it onto the trailer, send it inland to avoid the storm, then have absolutely no clue as to when I could refloat the vessel. Which would most likely have to be a couple hundred miles away, as all the marinas in the storm's impact area would be completely unable to function.

All in all, we're talking about at least two thousand dollars to haul, store and reflaot the boat. I could have it moved to Florida for three-thousand, for comparison.

Mine's only a thirty-footer, displacing 5.2 net tons. Can you imagine the costs involved in moving my friend's forty-four footer, which displaces 27 net tons? Yeowch!

We rig 'em to ride it out as best we can.

The rest is left to prayer and the insurance companies.

Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX

[ILTim]

Whoa, thats quite an endeavor. Still confused though, couldnt you get out of dodge by way of water? I guess youd have to make a helluva trek and still not be sure your out of the way of the storm though. Not to mention the employment complications with buggin out, I'm sure.

[Misty]

Good luck to you and the cats et al!

Keeping fingers crossed and lighting candles over here...

[Stircrazy]

I'll be praying that you ride out the storm safely.

[DixieDarlin']

My prayers are with you...however, after having gone through Ivan, Arlene, Cindy, Dennis, and Katrina, I can still dread the thought of it turning this way again...hang tight, guy.

[geekWithA.45]

Reminding you that your standing invite goes double when hiding from hurricanes.