This blog will chronicle our (Pat and Patty Anderson's)
cruising adventures on the Great Loop!
DAY 188 - October 5. 2017
It is sunny and calm here in Demopolis, The birds are chirping and the leaves are barely rustling. Situation normal as we sit here knowing Nate is working its way toward us, having already killed some 22 people in Central America. There is still a great deal of uncertainty about what it will be when it gets here, tropical storm or hurricane - but the maps show it passing right over us as it veers to the northeast.
Today I fixed a 12 volt socket that had stopped working. It took a little plumber's abrasive sandcloth to clean it and clean the connectors until they were shiny bright, and that did the trick. Then we took the loaner car on a quest to find a new electrical toolbox and some automotive type fuses. Struck out at Walmart, but I got the fuses at Tractor Supply and the toolbox at Hardware Plus, a little hardware store here. Mundane stuff as we are staring in the teeth of the storm.
Marv's Weather Service, which examines all the hurricane information but favors the European Model, since it has been significantly more accurate historically than the U.S. Model, continues to say Nate will likely hit the mainland as a Cat 1 or 2 hurricane. We are only 140 land miles north of Mobile, and the impacts of the storm are forecast as far north as central and possibly northern Alabama. We are in a covered slip, and I am having nightmarish thoughts of the winds ripping and twisting the aluminum structure above us and sending it crashing down on all the boats here.
This evening we had a meeting of most of the Loopers here, ostensibly a "docktail" hour, where Loopers share appetizers and adult beverages, but the TV was on the weather channel, and there was of course only one main topic of conversation. The consensus is that most of the Looper boats want to leave as early as possible Tuesday morning.
For us, I think we need to see what happens over the weekend before we make any firm plans!!
You're at a good place. The winds will die down by the time it gets to you. It will still be blowing but not hurricane force. Enjoy the cocktails.
ReplyDeleteTonight or tomorrow, or may a little later here, is show time! We shall see!
DeleteHow many of those loopers are heading north and how many are heading south ? I tend to agree with the Firestones but you never can tell, stay safe.
ReplyDeleteCharlie, as far as I know all the Loopers are heading south.
DeleteOne additional thought make sure your mooring lines are long enough to be able to allow the boat to float much higher if the storm surge reaches you .
ReplyDeleteGood thought, we will put the boat in the middle of the slip (one boat to a slip here) and make sure they are loose enough for the boat to rise and fall as necessary.
DeleteIf you use snubbers (like a rubber shock that goes around your lines), this would be a good time to deploy those. If you are in a slip that doesn't have another boat right beside you, tie the boat to the middle of the slip. Take down all your canvas and anything you have tied on the outside of the boat. Double up dock lines. 140 miles inland will have the winds greatly diminished by the time this comes over you, likely still tropical storm winds/rain. Double check that the scuppers in your cockpit are not covered/plugged. This storm is not huge in size and should pass over you for a fairly short time. Have a "bug-out" plan for where you may need to go (including the furry kids) nearby.
ReplyDeleteJim, we don't have snubbers, but this is one boat to a slip, and we will put the boat in the middle with all lines (six altogether) doubled up and loose enough to let the boat rise and fall. I will take the folding bikes off the roof and put them in the cockpit. I had not thought about taking down the cockpit canvas, but I will do that, and we will move everything lighter than the Pelican cooler inside. We have no "bug-out" plan, no car, no place to go anyway. Thanks for your thoughts!
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