Hurricane holes USA

[zoidberg]

There's a lengthy and, in places, interesting discussion of 'what to do for best' when faced with an impending hurricane 'hit'.
In this case, it was Hurricane Milton. ( damage-to-boats-marina-in-downtown-gulfport-florida-after-hurricane )

There was, of course, plenty opinion from armchair admirals.... but, once sifted, rather a lot to ponder. It's unlikely I'll be faced with such a decision while in the vicinity of Tampa, Florida, but some of the thinking - sound and not-so-sound - is worth the effort. Certainly, a decision of that nature DOES occur hereabouts e.g. Isles of Scilly - Storm Ciara -

What does the hive-mind think?

 

[zoidberg]

A bit more to reflect on:

"I don't mind too much losing the boat - but I'm damned if I'm losing the beers!!

Beer call

 

[Boathook]

A boat of that size, he had time to get to Falmouth or Helford River.

I was anchored in the upper reaches of Helford river when a 'storm' came through in 2019. Made a wise decision to go to the Scillies afterwards according to St Mary's HM.

 

[zoidberg]

A boat of that size, he had time to get to Falmouth or Helford River.

I was anchored in the upper reaches of Helford river when a 'storm' came through in 2019. Made a wise decision to go to the Scillies afterwards according to St Mary's HM.

Yes. A friend baled out of New Grimsby Sound and scuttled orf to the Truro River and an alongside berth right up top at Malpas. He/they were able to ride out the major storm from the shelter of the Heron Inn.... while those he'd left behind confidently anchored at St Marys and Tresco were dragging ashore right, left and centre.

"I'm still wondering, where is the best place for a boat to go in a hurricane? Go to sea and avoid it? Stay in the marina?"

I'm very interested in the tactics and decision-making considerations, just like the contributors to the above ^ thread on 'Cruisers Forum' at #1

We DO get destructive storms hereabouts, from time to time. The question isn't just academic.

I'd be most interested in perspectives from 'the body of the kirk' here.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

With regards to Florida (And all the coast up to NY and west to Texas), you have the Intercoastal Waterway giving you the option to move.

The accuracy of the 5 day forecast is pretty good these days, so my advice is to MOVE and get as much distance between you and the expected landfall. It's quite possible to go 80 to 100 miles a day in the waterway (less through heavily bridged sections in SE Florida), and even that sort of distance away from a direct hit will help. Two days motoring and you're even outside of the likely tornado area.

So even if you don't fancy a coastal passage with an impending hurricane, you can still move and if you go early, you can be miles away from even gale force winds. The more miles you get between you and the storm's landfall, the luckier you'll be and the more options you have. The cloaser you are to the landfall, the more of a crap shoot it will be and the less control you'll have over variables in terms of shelter, other people's behaviour, etc.

So stay alert, make your own decisions, ignore the 'group thought' of other boaters in the area and once you've got a plan, act early and decisively.

 

[dunedin]

With regards to Florida (And all the coast up to NY and west to Texas), you have the Intercoastal Waterway giving you the option to move.

The accuracy of the 5 day forecast is pretty good these days, so my advice is to MOVE and get as much distance between you and the expected landfall. It's quite possible to go 80 to 100 miles a day in the waterway (less through heavily bridged sections in SE Florida), and even that sort of distance away from a direct hit will help. Two days motoring and you're even outside of the likely tornado area.

So even if you don't fancy a coastal passage with an impending hurricane, you can still move and if you go early, you can be miles away from even gale force winds. The more miles you get between you and the storm's landfall, the luckier you'll be and the more options you have. The cloaser you are to the landfall, the more of a crap shoot it will be and the less control you'll have over variables in terms of shelter, other people's behaviour, etc.

So stay alert, make your own decisions, ignore the 'group thought' of other boaters in the area and once you've got a plan, act early and decisively.

I guess if every boat in Florida tried to head up the Intra Coastal Waterway you wouldn’t make 80-100 miles a day. Or have anywhere to moor when get outside the zone.

 

[dunedin]

Yes. A friend baled out of New Grimsby Sound and scuttled orf to the Truro River and an alongside berth right up top at Malpas. He/they were able to ride out the major storm from the shelter of the Heron Inn.... while those he'd left behind confidently anchored at St Marys and Tresco were dragging ashore right, left and centre.

"I'm still wondering, where is the best place for a boat to go in a hurricane? Go to sea and avoid it? Stay in the marina?"

I'm very interested in the tactics and decision-making considerations, just like the contributors to the above ^ thread on 'Cruisers Forum' at #1

We DO get destructive storms hereabouts, from time to time. The question isn't just academic.

I'd be most interested in perspectives from 'the body of the kirk' here.

In the May 2021 F10+ forecast (which if I recall became F11 later), we did a prompt U Turn in Northern Ireland and had a fast sail back to Campbeltown in a F7 and rising, then bailed out up to Tarbert Loch Fyne under reefed jib only in a full F8.
Tarbert was the best “hurricane hole” we could think of, and proved a good choice - particularly as we were able to tie ourselves between two fingers as no neighbouring boat. All power lost in the village but otherwise no issues.
Many boats elsewhere were unfortunately blown off their moorings and damaged or wrecked.