Advice for tidewater VA- storm

[dgltrader]

Well,

My family is from upper eastern NC, so I am well aware of what storms and hurricanes can do in the Mid-Atlantic area...(also lived in Richmond for years). Been through more than a few- on land.

But I just bought a 43 dcmy a few months ago, and am keeping it in Newport News (Deep Creek Marina) just north of the James River Bridge, just off the James.

So this is first time with big boat at the dock in a small marina which seems well protected (they say so) that I am in this situation.

Been looking at the storm models and forecasts and "I gotta a feeling" this one is coming to Tidewater or really close to the Bay...NC just announced they may evacuate Ocracoke.
And I am in Charlotte right now (340+miles), loading the car and think I will try to get there tonight.

So I am very interested to see what advice the brain trust can offer a newbie.

With the travel I won't be able to respond, but will check the forum before I leave and as soon as I can when I get there...

Weather Channel is now reporting it is at Cat 3 and stronger; possibly moving north as a Cat 4 tomorrow.
They are still not sure if it will come ashore; but even if it doesn't, they are saying tides will be at least 2+ higher than norm in mid-Atlantic.
But they also are still really only 50/50 whether it hits mainland, and that would be anywhere from Eastern NC to New Jersey with a ton of rain.

Do not think the Marina can put it in their yard, and even they could it would only be perhaps 2-3 ft above a "normal" high(er) tide.
But they have almost new floating docks and piers (tall), slip to port empty- slip to starboard 40+ Ocean sportfish. I have all new dock lines 5/8" double braid (6) plus old ones. Also have 6 Taylor Made (eleven inch) out...

Last one that hit Richmond I went 11 days w/o any power.

The one before that went "up the Bay", my brother was stuck on his J-30 at the dock (near Annapolis) after large oak blocked the road out while he was making his "last line check"...lucky he had food aboard, unlike many, many others he had no damage.

So...what are your thoughts?

thanks in advance,

dgltrader

 

[fissioneng]

I'm in the path of this too (Rappahannock River), under a covered slip so I am used to craziness during these things just trying to keep my radar from going through the roof.

If your floating dock is relatively new, it should take the tide surge without floating off the tops of the pilings. You should double your lines though.

I would take off anything soft, bimini, aft covers, etc. Just about anything that's not well secured will tend to fly.

Also contact Fred (Finalee) here on the HOF. He lives in Newport News and kept his 43 DC near you and knows the area well.

 

[SeaEric]

Also contact Fred (Finalee) here on the HOF. He lives in Newport News and kept his 43 DC near you and knows the area well.

IIRC that's the boat. I agree that floating docks are likely the most favorable option. Tie her up good with a "spider web" pattern of lines and hope for the best.

FWIW, I'm a bit more at ease this morning as the "guess" is that it heads more easterly and stays offshore. Last night when I saw the projected path where the center of the cone came right up the Chesapeake I was like oh $h!t, not again.

 

[fissioneng]

Last night when I saw the projected path where the center of the cone came right up the Chesapeake I was like oh $h!t, not again.

Here's a surge plot for Irene. Notice how fast the surge came up, 24 hours.



And for Ernesto



During Isabel, 5 boats that had been hauled floated off their jackstands with the surge.

Surge not looking too bad at Windmill Point right now but we had a big surge just last week. I watch the delta on this plot to try to predict the high tide surge.

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/wa...imezone=LST/LDT&datum=MLLW&interval=6&action=

 

[krush]

Hopefully the surge won't be too bad as the moon won't be helping it.

 

[Boatsb]

Be careful your Web of lines don't chafe each other. I've seen some interesting things over the years.

 

[Pascal]

The trend has been pretty good today, starting with the 5am each forecast has been trending eastward. A little early to sound the all clear but I think there is a good chance at least the mid atlantic is off the hook at this time. Might still be close for Long Island and cape cod though.

 

[holtcl]

The advice to "take off anything soft" is a good one but you might not want to leave your fly bridge helm area uncovered where it could get water intrusion (even in a covered slip; rain comes sideways in these storms!).

In my over-zealous hurricane prep for the last one that rolled through here a few years ago, I removed ALL of my canvas including the F/B cover, leaving my electronics exposed. Water got in, and next thing I knew my auto pilot "got gone." I think I would have liked to have replaced a piece of canvas than an auto pilot or other expensive electronics. Oops!

Cheryl
Cinderella
1971 53 MY

 

[dgltrader]

Well,

You all have offered great advice-again, thank you.
I did call Fred and he was quite sure that we were well positioned and secure.

When I first wrote, it looked like everyone and all the models had suddenly reached a consensus that it would hit eastern NC or tidewater.

Of course- the very next report they all decided the low front would push it east...now it looks like there will be a ton of rain- all funneled down the James river.
But set back the off river way we are, I think we will see high water that they set up for.

Very different than a real Cat 4 slamming directly in...

You know, I keep telling people that we are way, way overdue for a Cat 4 or (God forbid) Cat 5 hitting the Outer Banks. The whole area is so built up compared to when I was a kid- I think we will shocked at what happens.

This one just shows how even now, with all the data and computer modeling, how unpredictable they still are.

Well plenty of work still to do trying to get it to where I want it...
I tell folks everything takes me 5 times as long as planned (learning) and costs abut 2-3 times what you thought it would, but I love the boat and I am getting there.
Also so glad that she was in such great shape and so well cared for by her owners.

Thanks again, this forum is the best out there, and a major asset for us all.

dgltrader

 

[krush]

Potomac river is nice and high. It's up to the bottom of my fixed docks, but hopefully that's all it goes up. Wind is howling though. Not high enough to float boats of lifts yet.