Any Last Minute Advise For Getting Ready For TS Chantal?

[SmartMove]

We are in a marina in Fajardo, PR. I thought we have gotten everything pretty well batten down until our friend/rigger called to ask if we were staying in a hotel. PR is not forecasted to be in the path, I am expecting a lot of rain and winds up to around 31 kts.

We have got the boat pretty well centered in the slip. Added extra dock lines with chafe protection. Extra tight wraps on the head sail/furler. The main sail is all zipped up in cover. Dinghy motor is secured on the rail with additional line supporting from top to the arch. The dinghy is on the davits and tied down well -- I think. However, we left the canvas on the bimini.

Have I missed something? The rigger told us to call if we have any emergencies during the night. What else should I do? We are staying on the boat.

?????

Robyn

[MarkSF]

Why wouldn't you take the sails down completely? No matter how well tied they are, the reduction in windage alone is worthwhile.

[sailstoo]

Windage is your enemy and all that stuff you left tied down well...that's windage.

[Vasco]

If it's only 31 knots you should be ok. If in a slip reducing windage is second in importance after making sure you have enough lines and chafe protection. In the past I have removed all canvas and sails and once we even took the boom off and stowed it down below. One other point if the mainsail and cover is left on it should be lashed securely. Just relying on the zippers is not enough. If it blows a little while all that flapping canvas will soon start coming apart. And don't forget to take the plug out of the dink. And finally, the power and water might be off so be prepared for that.

[Sailmonkey]

Take the headsail down, and tie a line around the main sail........Most of the storm damage I've seen in an otherwise undamaged marina is destroyed headsails.

It's easy and a whole lot cheaper than then alternative.

[levm]

I am in Simpson Bay St. Martin, Chantal is expected to arrive on Tuesday, present forecast winds in excess of 60 Kn. I recommend take the sails off, canvas off, clear the deck, stow the dingy tied down on shore. It is very simple either work now or pay later, my approach is always better safe then sorry.
I will not stay on the boat but its your call.
We'll talk Wednesday.

[Cheechako]

The dink would be better upside down on deck or somewhere else I think in a real blow. 31 knots sholdnt be anything really. If the drain in the dink pluggs up, (blowing leaves etc) you've got problems..
In a big blow remove the sails and all canvas. be prepared to do this if you hear new reports.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

. 31 knots sholdnt be anything really.

For 31 kts we toss the cockpit cushions down below. That's about it.
At 40 kts I take the Tiki torches out of the rocket launchers. Just to be safe.

[SmartMove]

Thanks for all of the advise. We are busy taking the advise in some of the suggestions.

I went down the dock and talked to a couple that have been cruising the Carib for the last 13 years. He came over and looked at things, gave a few suggestions and thought we would be OK.

Again, thanks everyone!

Robyn

[FLLCatsailor]

I would look for the nearest virgin to sacrifice...

[MarkJ]

31 knots is not much. leave the sails rigged. You are not near the storm.

[SmartMove]

Originally Posted by FLLCatsailor

I would look for the nearest virgin to sacrifice...

Damn, we are fresh out of them at the moment!

[SmartMove]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

31 knots is not much. leave the sails rigged. You are not near the storm.

That is our consensus as well. But I did throw a rope around the main.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

31 knots is not much. leave the sails rigged. You are not near the storm.

+1

31 knots is decent sailing conditions, and what plenty of the nightly Coromuels are like near the islands in Bahia de La Paz.

Over 40 I'd start taking it more seriously.

Over 50 I'd take it pretty seriously. Maybe move the boat out of the slip if there's surge along with it.

But to be honest I'd be more concerned with storm surge than wind. Wind, in and of itself, is pretty manageable.

[SmartMove]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

+1

31 knots is decent sailing conditions, and what plenty of the nightly Coromuels are like near the islands in Bahia de La Paz.

Over 40 I'd start taking it more seriously.

Over 50 I'd take it pretty seriously. Maybe move the boat out of the slip if there's surge along with it.

But to be honest I'd be more concerned with storm surge than wind. Wind, in and of itself, is pretty manageable.

Right now that is what I am more concerned about. It is projected to be 3', which seems a lot to me at the moment.

We are pretty well protected from the wind by a big sea wall. Because of our deeper draft we are on the second dock away.

I think I will be up pretty frequently tonight checking on things.