Wunder Blog : Weather Underground

Last Updated: 2:03 PM GMT on November 08, 2009 — Last Comment: 12:23 AM GMT on November 09, 2009

	Ida - Secure your boats!

Posted by: Beachfoxx, 2:03 PM GMT on November 08, 2009

Ida is churning in the GoM, take time to secure your boat as a precaution... Chances are those on waterways along the northern GoM coast are going to see water levels rise.
Be aware & prepare!

Photograph your boat, inside and out, for insurance purposes!!!

Here some info for the boat on a trailer:
ON THE TRAILER

Brian Cunningham, general manager of Vero Marine Center, a boating supply store, said to be sure to remove or secure all loose items on a trailered boat and be sure the trailer will not move.

"Boats can actually float away if not secured to the ground," he said. "We saw a presentation following Hurricane Hugo where a boat floated a mile inland from a boat dealer's lot with the trailer attached to it."

Here are Cunningham's tips for keeping a trailered boat secure:

Haul boat to a safe area: Be sure to check all trailer maintenance points to prevent break-downs of the trailer while moving the boat to safety.

Lash boat to trailer: Place blocks between the frame members and the axle inside each wheel. If the boat is lightweight, the owner might consider letting half the air out of the tires and filling the boat one-third of the way with water to add weight.

Secure boat and trailer to fixed objects: Use heavy lines from four directions if possible or tie down to screw anchors in the ground.

Keeping your boat or yacht safe during a hurricane...

Historically, individual hurricanes have caused the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damage as they ran their course over populated areas. If you know that a hurricane is approaching your area, prepare for the worst. The important point is, GET OFF THE OPEN WATER AS FAR AWAY FROM THE STORM AS POSSIBLE! If this is impossible, keep in mind that the right front quadrant of a hurricane usually, but not always, produces the most violent weather.

With todays modern communication net to warn them, people have a better chance to reach safety before a hurricane hits their area. Even so, you may have little more than 24 hours advance notice to get your boat secured against the storms full force. Check the weather often.

If your boat is easily trailerable, store it ashore, far from the danger of high water. Follow these tips:

If you must move your boat, first inspect the trailer to ensure that it is in proper operating condition. Check tires (including spare), wheel bearings, tow hitch and lights.
If you can, put your boat and trailer in a garage. If they must be left out, secure them to strong trees or a "deadman" anchor. Strip off every thing that could be torn loose by a strong wind.
Increase the weight of your trailered outboard boat by filling it with fresh water and leaving in the drain-plug (inboard boats must be drained to avoid motor damage). Insert wood blocks between the trailer frame and the springs for extra support with the added weight.
If your boat must stay in the water you have three options:

1. BERTH at a dock which has sturdy pilings and offers reasonable shelter from open water and storm surge. Double up all mooring lines but provide enough slack so your boat can rise with the higher tides. Cover all lines with chafe protectors (double neoprene garden hose cut along the side) at points where the line is likely to wear and put out extra fenders and fenderboards (the more the better).

2. ANCHOR your boat in a protected harbor where the bottom can allow a good anchor hold. An advantage to anchoring is that the boat can more easily respond to wind and water changes without striking docks or other boats than when moored. Heavy and extra anchors are needed for this option and enough line should be on hand to allow a scope of at least 10:1 for each anchor.

3. HURRICANE HOLES are ideal locations to moor your boat during a hurricane. These are deep, narrow coves or inlets that are surrounded by a number of sturdy trees which block the wind and provide a tie-off for anchor lines. The best location for a hurricane hole is one far enough inland to avoid the most severe winds and tides, yet close enough to reach under short notice. You may want to scout out a satisfactory hurricane hole ahead of time!

Remember:

Never stay with your boat.
Your boat should be stripped of anything that can become loose during the storm. This would include unstepping the mast in sailboats.
Boat documents, radios and other valuables should be removed from the vessel prior to the storm, since you never know how long it will take for you to get back to your boat once the storm passes.
Hurricanes are among the most destructive phenomena of nature, their appearance is not to be taken lightly.
Advance planning cannot guarantee that your boat will survive a hurricane safely or even survive at all.
Planning can, however, improve survivability and is therefore certainly worth the time and money to do so.
General Weather Tips

Before Setting Out:

Obtain the latest available weather forecast for the boating area. Where they can be received, the NOAA Weather Radio continuous broadcasts (VHF-FM) are the best way to keep informed of expected weather and sea conditions. If you hear on the radio that warnings are in effect, dont venture out on the water unless confident your boat can be navigated safely under forecast conditions of wind and sea. This link will take you to up-to-date marine weather information.

While afloat:

Keep an eye out for the approach of dark, threatening clouds which may foretell a squall or thunderstorm.
Check radio weather broadcasts periodically for latest forecasts and warnings.
Heavy static on your AM radio may be an indication of nearby thunderstorm activity.
If a thunderstorm catches you afloat:
Put on a Personal Flotation Device. (if not already wearing one)
Stay below deck if possible.
Keep away from metal objects that are not grounded to the boats protection system.

You may LYAO at this, but you know those $1.99 ring floats kids love??? They make great fenders for your pilings... Just blow them up and drop around pilings. They are cheap and come in pretty colors!!! LOL

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	Ida Hurricane Watch Songs......... GRRRRRRRRRRRR

Posted by: Beachfoxx, 1:36 AM GMT on November 05, 2009

11-5-09Well, well, who'd thought we'd be hurricane watching in November here on the Panhandle? Guess we will change this blog to songs for Hurricane Watching!Ida Mae bring Songs about Weather....O.K. Time for a new blog.... and looks like Ida is brewing & stewing. One thing that has always been a part of preparations for a storm is music.Music often then filled the time while stuck inside with the sounds of crashing limbs, the winds whipping around, rain pounding...

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Updated: 1:12 AM GMT on November 06, 2009

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