Miami - Strategy for Sailboat

[belizesailor]

Cool. Glad youre in. [emoji106]

Now find as safe spot...with all this effort IRMA will now likely go somewhere else! [emoji6]

[SecondBase]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Cool. Glad youre in. [emoji106]

Now find as safe spot...with all this effort IRMA will now likely go somewhere else! [emoji6]

Exactly but only because IT knows we did the work.

Belize Sailor I hope I am there for someone during this storm the way you were there for us on that run last night. No words.

[belizesailor]

De nada. Glad to help.

Always glad to help mariners in need...next time it may be me.

[belizesailor]

Lets us know how the hiding part goes.

IRMA still forecast to straif the entire FL E coast as a major hurricane.

[pete33458]

Originally Posted by SecondBase

a64 - roger. How many miles offshore would you estimate the stream for FLL and WPB? Is there a site for that? I can't find that critical info. Kinda need some help on routing.

I'm 5 miles offshore right now but not getting the boost yet. Definitely looking for it !!!

VHF NWS broadcasts will specify the western wall of the gulf steam at key points

[Blue Skye]

Awesome work belize! Best of luck Secondbase and to all the others in the path of Irma The video and pics from the islands is frightening to say the least...

[SecondBase]

After all the help you can see through the thread - we are locking into canal in the morning.

There is nothing like being in the Atlantic hands covered with diesel fuel at 3 am and finding out that someone you don't know has improved your routing, shared their own hurricane hiding spot with precise directions, or otherwise lowered your personal risk for your crew, yourself and your boat.

With the effort there are now actually some options:

A - haul and pit (or strap down) at Indian Harbor marina (back on the table as now safe from surge)

B - tie in along canal

C - cross okeechobee, down caloosahatchee river

Comments on the options or other options?
When is there enough information to decide properly?
When does decision need to be made by? Tomorrow midday ?

[Suijin]

I would ask the marina when you would have to be hauled by, for starters and ask if they are close to full. Personally I would take the haul to lock it in before having forecast specifics. Yards here in NC are already filling up.

[belizesailor]

Latest forecast shows TS force winds approaching your area by Sat AM. I would get somewhere considered surge safe a minimum of 24h ahead of that and spend the rest of the time preparing for possibly massive winds. Hopefully well away from other boats.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/grap...toa34#contents

Weather is often nice about 24h ahead of a 'cane so hopefully you can prepare in dry weather. But, I have not looked at local forecast.

Others who know the area in more detail can chime in on specific recommendations.

[belizesailor]

Also if storm follows forecast path, eye right along the E FL coast, then you should get the big winds from the NE then N then NW after eye passes.

[theway]

A - Sounds good if you can do it before Saturday, Most forecasts I see for Stuart area have wind at 20+ knots by noon Sat. (I don't know the location or layout of that marina but being in a pit sounds nice. I would definitely consider the surroundings... trees that may fall, other boats crammed in, and other land based debris)

B - Where in the canal? Do you have enough fenders/tires/lines? Trees or bushes nearby to break the wind without falling on you? (Same consideration of surroundings, if more remote, I'm guessing there would be less human created debris/hard objects flying around)

B2 - This might be a bit questionable, but what about tying into the trees/bushes under one of the bridges? Seems like the banks and bridge would break a lot of wind if the bridge itself doesn't break. (Just a thought)

C - Based on the current forecast this would put you further away from the eye, and the "dangerous semicircle" but you loose time in travel. The lake is about 25-30NM wide, more time at the locks... and would need to be sure when they stop being operational... As far as wind goes it looks good. Indiantown forecasts are showing 80-95kt peaks while in LaBelle GFS and NAM show peaks of 50kt, ECMWF shows 70kt. Indiantown to LaBelle is about 55NM as the crow flies with maybe another 10NM for the turns in water way. Motoring 5-6kts that's about 10-11hrs right there. (Not sure of your current location)

Again, Based on the forecasts now I'd like to see you settled by Friday night. Saturday starts getting windy... probably too windy to get sails down comfortably etc.

[theway]

Here's some more info...

Indiantown to Ortona Locks: 56.01NM
(Another ~6NM to LaBelle)
src: http://www.offshoreblue.com/assets/o...-distances.pdf


Here is the locks transit tables, with phone numbers.
http://www.offshoreblue.com/assets/oww/oww-locks.pdf

(If you're still considering this option I can try to help call to make sure they are open and operating on schedule given the current circumstances.)

[SecondBase]

We are lined up for 7 am lock opening. Will be able to proceed into canal based on info from other boaters on pilings here overnight. .

Need to find out if hauling is viable option or yard full. Have $$ for that - question is heir availability at indiantown. Don't know if they have backhoe or straps available also. Believe land there to be above any "super surge" height.

Want to cross ochechobee but also want to be sure not to get caught in it.

GF and crew's dog have car. Planning to send them to friends in Tampa. That is right move correct?

First sleep in 36 hours last night.

Hmmm. Enter canal and think seems like plan right now.

[theway]

And also this from the storm details on wunderground site...

"Users are again reminded not to
focus on the exact track since the average NHC track errors at days
3, 4, and 5 are about 120, 175, and 225 miles, respectively."

[SecondBase]

Originally Posted by theway

Here's some more info...

Indiantown to Ortona Locks: 56.01NM
(Another ~6NM to LaBelle)
src: http://www.offshoreblue.com/assets/o...-distances.pdf


Here is the locks transit tables, with phone numbers.
http://www.offshoreblue.com/assets/oww/oww-locks.pdf

(If you're still considering this option I can try to help call to make sure they are open and operating on schedule given the current circumstances.)

Definitely considering that option. Thank you. I'll take you up on it - If you can call and find out operating hours for locks today and tomorrow

We expect entering canal in 40 minutes here.