Which setup is safer for Hurricanes?

[Streff]

I may have to leave the boat in the Bahamas for upcoming repairs and other circumstances. Options are to store it on the hard with strong tie-downs at a boatyard or in a marina that is somewhat away from the sea that requires going through a series of canals to get to the marina, both in the Grand Bahama area. After a bit of research it seems that storm surge may not be an issue for both options but winds and tornadoes are still factors for both arrangements.
I started thinking about the in-the water option after speaking with a Nordhavn owner who stores his vessel in a slip in Spanish wells and feels that it is a safe option. He stays ready to fly in to move the boat if a hurricane is developing.

I would very much appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Streff

 

[Pascal]

I don’t think I would. GB was hit really bad by storm surge during Dorian so you d want to make sure the location is high enough. Not sure I d trust tie downs there plus the threat of looting afterward

If you really have no choice, maybe Great Harbor Cay Marina? It is the best hurricane hole in the Bahamas. Northern Berrys.

And make sure your insurance covers you there. Some policies do not cover windstorm damage in the Bahamas.

 

[Streff]

Thank you very much, Pascal. Unfortunately, GH Cay marina is full.. I am still looking. I appreciate your perspective and comments.

Streff

 

[Captain Ralph]

Which setup is safer for Hurricanes?​

Back at home.

NOAA has predicted an active season, more than last year.
Per your thread title, bring her home if you really like the boat.

 

[Fanfare]

If a hurricane is big enough there is no safe place in the Bahamas. You are on the edge of the Atlantic Continental Shelf, there is nothing to break the wind and wave force. Hurricane Dorian hit the Exumas and Grand Bahama on September 1, 2019, as a Category 5 with 185 mph winds and huge storm surges. Then it stalled over these islands, destroying 75% of the housing in Marsh Harbour. This was the strongest hurricane in recorded history for the Bahamas. Of course, wherever your boat may be you are probably just screwed in a storm like this.

We stayed aboard for Hurricane Fran in September, 1996, tied between two finger piers at the Chesapeake Bay Marine Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland. The storm fortunately passed south of us at Cape Fear with winds of 115 mph. We got perhaps 50 mph but the storm surge covered the dock with several feet of water shorting out most of the electrical plugs. I became worried about miswired 220v power in the water and realized it would be a bad idea to try to walk to the shore. I didn't like feeling trapped. Watched two big "ICE" freezers float out to sea! Decided I probably would not ride out another hurricane on board. That's what insurance is for.

Left Fanfare unexpectedly one year at Great Harbour Cay with hurricane coming, no damage to us, they took great care of her even moving her to a more sheltered slip. Recommended. Left her for years at Spanish Wells where we have friends. We were fortunate not to have been there when Hurricane Irene hit on August 21, 2011, because our customary dock just disappeared along with others. Many boats ashore but probably salvaged as no rocks. Always thought Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, was the perfect hurricane hole until Hurricane Andrew came through in August, 1992. A canal dug through solid rock into an inland lake normally has no wave action. But horrible holding ground. With winds recorded at 172 knots or mph, only one boat did not get blown ashore. Put all of their anchors out daisy-chained on chain one after the other. Many boats tried to relieve anchor load by running engines but wind chopped up leaves and blew into water, clogged intakes and overheated. Damnedest things can happen!

 

[Pascal]

We spent 3 days in Hatchet by during Irma in 2017 years with the 84 I was running back then. From miami it was really the best option after a couple of days watching the forecast shift west every 6 hours. Initially we were going to go to the west coast but thru out the day on Thursday it became clear that wasn’t an option. We left miami right after the 11PM NHC package and arrive in hatchet at noon. The stream was smooth but by the time we hit the NW channel, it was nasty!

Turned out we were the only boat in hatchet and never got over 20kts.

The key for any storm is to be at least 100-150nm from the center and considering how accurate forecasts have been over the last 15-20 years it is pretty easy to make the right decision.

Sadly for us with the 110 I run now, heading west to the Bahamas is not longer an option as our insurance doesn’t cover windstorm damage in the Bahamas. I tried to argue this but no luck. The underwriter answer was:” you have the whole east coast and gulf coast to escape”. Idiotic bureaucrats who don’t understand the reality.

 

[Streff]

Thank you very much gents for your prospective and experiences. I will probably get a couple of minor things looked at in the Bahamas and get back home. I was almost swayed by the convenience of leaving the boat in the Bahamas and fly in & out. I met several boaters who regularly leave their boats here and fly in evey 6 weeks or so for a few days of cruising. It sounded fun until it’s not.

Appreciate the reality check.

Streff