[C320-list] Helene

[--Bill]

Our pilings are around 6 feet above typical high tide.  All my lines were tied higher than normal and doubled with one line slightly longer than the other.  Each was at a length such that when level from the tie-off point the boat wouldn’t touch the pilings.   Stern lines were crossed for extra length.  Spring lines are already long due to my piling configuration. I used spring lines on both sides.  I had one breast line to the winch on the expected windward side. I was worried about the breast line because it isn’t as long as the other lines so I tied it a bit long as an extra, hopefully not needed line. I also use fender boards at midship. Electronics that could be removed easily were kept ashore. Dock boxes were emptied. And it’s good to be lucky (so far, knock on wood). 
—Bill Ackerman 

> On Sep 29, 2024, at 3:40 PM, Mark Seyler via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> I think Jack has hit on the main thing to survive storm surge in a slip: Attach your dock lines as high as you can, and stretch the lines while the water is still low.  It also helps to make the main dock line runs s as long as possible, which helps with the angle of the lines, and maximizes potential stretch.  
> 
> I dock bow in, and run extra dock lines from the main pier past the bow, through the car on the jib sheet track, and back to a track-mounted cleat at the back end of the track.  I run lines from the stern pilings to the main winches, and use the winches to tension the stern lines (which also stretches the bow lines).  As the water rises, the initial stretch relaxes, but the lines still hold my boat in the middle of the slip.  After the water level passes the point where the dock lines are level, the lines stretch again to allow the boat to continue to rise.  (I also leave my regular dock lines going to and from the bow and stern cleats, and add spring lines to both sets of cleats from the mid-ship pilings in my slip.  But I can't tie them as tightly, because they don't have the length to stretch like my main hurricane lines.)
> 
> My boat has ridden out storm surges up to about 6-7 feet in the slip, and the only time I had any piling rash was a time when I didn't do my full prep because we weren't supposed to get the brunt of the storm.  (Surprise - the eye of Hurricane Ida passed directly overhead.)
> 
> In the end, I think whatever happens is also a matter of plain old luck. I wish good luck to all on the Gulf and East coasts for the rest of this crazy hurricane season!
> 
> Mark Seyler
> S/V Reality,
> Catalina 320, #232
> New Orleans, LA
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Jack Brennan via C320-list
> Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2024 1:28 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Cc: Jack Brennan <jackbrennan333 at outlook.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Helene
> 
> It's a great question, and I don't know the answer.
> 
> My slip has aft pilings about 8 feet above normal tide. The lines are secured near the top.
> 
> But forward, the lines are secured to cleats on the dock, which is a couple of feet higher than average tide.
> 
> I also have spring lines tied from a pier about a foot lower than the dock.
> 
> I know from photos that my stern lines held. I expect that one or more of the other lines broke. The key is to have so many lines that some hold.
> 
> I half expect to find some dock rash and, like Diane, more damage to the striping.
> 
> I think the lesson for Florida is to find a hurricane hole like St. Pete or Gulfport and not worry about the cost. I had a free dock at my complex, but my boat would be sunk right now.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 220
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> 
> 
> 
> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Dave Hupe via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> Date: 9/29/24 2:41 PM (GMT+01:00)
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Cc: Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Helene
> 
> Glad all is ok.  However, I can't see how the boats in a slip would ride out a 7 ft surge. Is your slip wide and you always allow a lot of swing/movement with your docklines?  My slip is narrow/tight and i have to keep my stern lines short so the boat does not bounce off side pilings.
> Dave Hupe 1994 C320 #32
> 
> Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
> 
>  On Sun, Sep 29, 2024 at 8:15 AM, --Bill via C320-list<c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:   Tortuga also made it through ok just north of you, Jack.  Water reached the top of our pilings at the Gulfport municipal marina and several boats sank.  Our house had very minor flooding and I’ve been out helping neighbors who had major flooding. The Coast Guard Auxiliary buildings in Gulfport, St Petersburg and Madeira Beach were all flooded.
> 
> —Bill Ackerman
> #240
> Gulfport FL
> 
>> On Sep 29, 2024, at 2:51 AM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Well, Sonas got lucky again, I think
>> 
>> We inadvertently evacuated to Italy for a long-planned visit to Pompeii when the hurricane breezed by and caused a storm surge of more than 7 feet in Tampa Bay.
>> 
>> Photos from a friend show Sonas intact in her slip with Bimini, solar panels and sails intact. Helen had been a thunderstorm when we left.
>> 
>> We also got lucky on land. We live on a barrier island, but our waterfront complex is somewhat elevated and protected. We had flooding, but nothing reached the townhouses.
>> 
>> Boats at our dock weren't so lucky. At least two sailboats sunk, others had significant damage and powerboats apparently are scattered all over.
>> 
>> The dark side of paradise.
>> 
>> Jack Brennan
>> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 310
>> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone
>> 
> 
> 
>