Foxy
Member
Looking for some advice on laying up in the Caribbean for hurricane season. Think we've got the hurricane side of things covered but are unsure of other prep we might need to do, like should water tanks be empty or full? Any advice?
Laying up for hurricane season
- Thread starter Foxy
- Start date
Bajansailor
Well-known member
I reckon keep your water tanks (and bottles) full - if you do get clobbered by a strong hurricane, the shore water supply could be off for a long time......
This is assuming that you are staying with the boat (?). But even if you are not, and will be away, I would have thought it is still a good idea to keep tanks full.
And reduce windage on deck as much as possible - take off sails, bimini awning, and ensure the dinghy is securely lashed down.
This is assuming that you are staying with the boat (?). But even if you are not, and will be away, I would have thought it is still a good idea to keep tanks full.
And reduce windage on deck as much as possible - take off sails, bimini awning, and ensure the dinghy is securely lashed down.
Stingo
Well-known member
Why do you want to lay up? If your profile is anything to go by, head south of the hurricane belt and enjoy Venezuela or even Brazil.
pelicanpete
Member
I would also consider stepping the mast to further reduce windage but you may be on an island where there are no riggers??
From recollection I think the fastest wind speed in a hurricane is the north-east quadrant because of the actual wind speed added to the forward motion of the system. I remember being told that you should work out which direction the strongest wind will come from and orient your bow in this direction to reduce windage. In the Bahamas, my local boatyard for example does this as a matter of course.
If you should be in the water when the storm hits (you'll have 2-3 days warning), tie up to mangroves if at all possible. The mangroves act as giant springs and absorb much of the damaging wave action. If you are in a marina, try to choose one with strong, high pilings on the docks. Tie-up to the highest part of the pilings so that your boat will rise on the storm-surge (expect 10-15 ft!) without pulling them out of the seabed or tearing your cleats off. Bow into prevailing waves.
From recollection I think the fastest wind speed in a hurricane is the north-east quadrant because of the actual wind speed added to the forward motion of the system. I remember being told that you should work out which direction the strongest wind will come from and orient your bow in this direction to reduce windage. In the Bahamas, my local boatyard for example does this as a matter of course.
If you should be in the water when the storm hits (you'll have 2-3 days warning), tie up to mangroves if at all possible. The mangroves act as giant springs and absorb much of the damaging wave action. If you are in a marina, try to choose one with strong, high pilings on the docks. Tie-up to the highest part of the pilings so that your boat will rise on the storm-surge (expect 10-15 ft!) without pulling them out of the seabed or tearing your cleats off. Bow into prevailing waves.
TigaWave
New member
Kill off any resident bugs before you shut the boat up, we used a smoke bomb, shut seacocks as bugs will crawl up these. All open vents had mesh screens. Remove boom, sails, and all other canvas.
Otherwise any traces of food will attract the local bugs.
Otherwise any traces of food will attract the local bugs.
Foxy
Member
Thanks. This is the kind of info I was after. Any other tips?
Foxy
Member
Not staying aboard or even in the same country as the boat. Unfortunatley have to return to the UK to work for some more money to be able to carry on.
Foxy
Member
Think we have the hurricane specific stuff covered. The boat will come out into a cradle and be strapped down, all sails, bimini etc will come off. The mast and boom are coming down. As mentioned though I am looking for info relating to normal lay up preparation and any specifics to the caribbean climate. Is damp a consideration? Will clothes suffer any effects from damp? Do we need to do anything special with the holding tank? This kind of thing so any tips gratefully recieved. This isn't Patrick by the way, he's busy delivering Foxglove to her home for hurricane season, this is Foxgloves other crew member Sinead so hence the stupid questions.
Bajansailor
Well-known member
Summer in the Caribbean is (relatively) hot (can get up to 32-33C) and (perhaps more important) humid.
Hence it is a good idea to try to maintain as much ventilation throughout the boat as possible, otherwise things will tend to go mouldy. We leave the heads compartment window open all the time, and this seems to help - if it rains, most goes in to the sink, and some goes down to the bilge.
Leave all locker doors open, bunk cushions up, under bunk stowages open. Don't leave any non-perishable food in bags, or the weevils will find it.... tight fitting tupperware containers seem to be fine.
Hence it is a good idea to try to maintain as much ventilation throughout the boat as possible, otherwise things will tend to go mouldy. We leave the heads compartment window open all the time, and this seems to help - if it rains, most goes in to the sink, and some goes down to the bilge.
Leave all locker doors open, bunk cushions up, under bunk stowages open. Don't leave any non-perishable food in bags, or the weevils will find it.... tight fitting tupperware containers seem to be fine.
pelicanpete
Member
I also wipe over all surfaces touched by hand or where food has been prepared with a weak solution of bleach (e.g. Clorox) diluted with water in order to deter the growth of mold. Just spray onto a cloth and wipe. If you have a car, do the interior of that, too.
tcm
...
Making the boat darker inside (hatches etc) will protect things, and lightly oiled tissue wiped over metallic interior parts (taps hinges everything) will protect them from oxidation.
Hurricane-wise, my own solution was to go somewhere else completely - if there was a hurricane hit whilst you elsewhere it wd not be much fun to hear about it and wait and wait to hear of damage to own boat. The same applies to the idea of buying a home in hurricane-risk areas - plenty of aggro in home owning and boat owning without the added worry of weather whilst not even sailing the thing...
Hurricane-wise, my own solution was to go somewhere else completely - if there was a hurricane hit whilst you elsewhere it wd not be much fun to hear about it and wait and wait to hear of damage to own boat. The same applies to the idea of buying a home in hurricane-risk areas - plenty of aggro in home owning and boat owning without the added worry of weather whilst not even sailing the thing...
AndrewB
Well-known member
Bugs.
Ants are the worst. Smear heavy grease around base of keel and all props to stop them getting in.
Ants are the worst. Smear heavy grease around base of keel and all props to stop them getting in.
