remove sails for tropical storm?

[liveaboardL]

There's a tropical storm that will be here in a few hours. I'm along the ICW maybe 40 miles from the ocean, surrounded by thick sections of trees.
N winds 25 to 30 knots, gusts up to 55 knots predicted for tonight.

Do these things need to be removed and stored?
harken roller furler UK Sailmaker made 180 genoa jib
UK Sailmaker made large mainsail for a 35' sailboat
cockpit's roof made of fabric (it has 2" of ripping already)
the cover that is over the hatch
I'm currently moored to a floating dock and have all 4 corners tied down w/ 1 spring line and a few fenders on the side of the dock.

What are the chances that the winds would be strong enough to damage my sails?

The genoa has about 8 wraps of sheet all the way around it, holding it a together.

[Vasco]

If the boat is left unattended I would remove the genoa and the "cockpit roof" (bimini?) at the minimum. Often the genoa will come adrift even with many wraps of the sheets on. If there is anywhere on the sail that is not furled tightly the wind will get it and it will start to come apart. Wrap some line around the mainsail to stop the cover flapping. If properly secured you might be ok in 55 knots but if you're not there it's better to remove stuff and be sure.

[Triumphant]

Originally Posted by liveaboardL

There's a tropical storm that will be here in a few hours. I'm along the ICW maybe 40 miles from the ocean, surrounded by thick sections of trees.
N winds 25 to 30 knots, gusts up to 55 knots predicted for tonight.

Do these things need to be removed and stored?
harken roller furler UK Sailmaker made 180 genoa jib
UK Sailmaker made large mainsail for a 35' sailboat
cockpit's roof made of fabric (it has 2" of ripping already)
the cover that is over the hatch
I'm currently moored to a floating dock and have all 4 corners tied down w/ 1 spring line and a few fenders on the side of the dock.

What are the chances that the winds would be strong enough to damage my sails?

The genoa has about 8 wraps of sheet all the way around it, holding it a together.

If you are asking yourself the question, I think you probably already know the answer.

When in doubt, over prepare.

Good luck

[liveaboardL]

I didn't mention the dinghi. I almost want to strap it onto the dock

[roverhi]

The winds that come with a Tropical Storm are so high that normally low drag items like furled sails become major driving force. That's over and above the problem should the sail unfurl or become loose from the boom. Every effort needs to be made to reduce windage like removing sails from furlers and off the boom. Things on deck like dinghys need to by very very securely lashed down to through bolted hard points. Better yet, they should be removed from the boat and stored inside at your home. Inflatables should be removed and stored below deck.

If you haven't gone through one of these storms, you have no idea how much more violent they are than the typical strong storm most face on a regular basis.

[TacomaSailor]

My insurance, while in Mexico, said all canvas must be removed from the exterior of the boat during any named storm. If sails, dodgers, biminis are found to have been on the boat in their normal position during the storm - then the insurance is no longer in effect.

Dozens of boats in La Paz during Hurricane Marty found out about the 'NO canvas clause' AFTER their insurance claims were denied. A local insurance adjuster filmed all the boats while motoring around the bay shortly after the storm.

Local story/rumor/legend was he received a small commission for each insurance claim that was denied due to his video showing their canvas.

[JPA Cate]

Vasco and roverhi are right on this one, and yes, lash the dinghy down carefully, preferably ashore somewhere the bushes will protect it, otherwise on deck, upside down, and thoroughly.

TacomaSailor adds a worthy caveat! Your bit that is already torn is likely to carry away, maybe it's an opportunity looking at you with steely eyes! Time for a new one.

Ann

[Ex-Calif]

+1, +2 & +3.

Taking sails and canvas off is quick and cheap insurance. I've seen a genny in non-storm conditions unwrap and be destroyed in a few days. even if it doesn't unwrap if enough of the leech gets exposed it can thrash itself to bits.

Can you take the dinghy home? Or get it into a boat shed? At a minimum I'd get the engine, fuel tank etc out of it.

Of course by now it's 14 hours since your post so I am probably a little late to this party...