Conference unifix::sailing

Ah, but you missed the most important preparation: make sure your 
insurance is still valid!

According to an article in SAIL (I think) about a hurricane in Texas 
last year, boats on moorings survived fairly well, boats in slips 
were frequently badly damaged or sunk. My insurance company now requires 
a chain pennant from my mooring float to the boat (which I dutifully 
added and photographed). We also have two rope pennants -- one 0.75" and 
one 1". I would guess that over half the boats in Marblehead have a 
single rope pennant with no chafe protection. My biggest worry is that a 
boat upwind will go adrift and bash into our boat (going adrift is quite 
common, sadly). 

I keep my boat at a dock in a very protected harbor in East Greenwich,
R.I.  I am very worried that my CAL is a sitting duck in its current
setting.  So what to do?  I am faced with leaving the boat at the dock
(the docks are the floating variety secured to pilings) and beefing up
the dock lines (and securing the neighboring stinkpots) or buying a
large danforth and anchoring somewhere safe.  However, I am not inclined
to ride out the storm in the boat - which is probably the best thing to
do for the boat's safety.  I am not sure how the boat will do left
unattended with only a storm and regular anchor holding it. 

Hopefully, I can find an unused mooring and beef up the chain/pennant.
But, in the event that a mooring is not available, I am back to the 
original ideas.  Any suggestions?.

Thanks,

Bob

Hi:

	I'm not any kind of authority, but I did just hear that the water level
may get as much as 15 Ft. above high tide, in New England. Like I said I'm no
expert, but I have two thoughts. One, take it out of the water and put it on 
blocks in a safe place. Or, if that's not possible, put a second anchor on the 
seaward side. preferably the type that hooks into the bottom as it is dragged.
That way if the boat is set adrift you may have a chance of it's getting 
re-mored of it's own accord. If your very lucky it will be before it gets 
washed up on the rocks.


	I have a boat ( a sun fish ) that I bought from a friend of my mothers.
It was on Block Island during a big storm. It was mored on a tether, but 
broke loose. You can still see the places that had to be replaced. I didn't get
to see the damage, just the repairs.



Fair the well and good luck
	Harry

Beware of an unknown mooring! Friend of mine just missed loosing his 50'
schooner due to a failure of the bottom shackle on the mooring. The pennant
was new! I took FROLIC up the river and wound my way back into the marshes
after finding a few deep holes. Set out 2 45# CQR's, 45# Hereshoff and a
35# Northill and I still felt I could use more. Luckily Gloria didn't hit
Newburyport hard (about equal to the '78 Nor'easter) however 7 boats did
break loose. I believe its best to get away from the crowd as much as possible
and rely on known ground tackle. Chafe, caused by wave action, does most of
the damage. Moored boats are generally too close together and scope too
short to provide real security. This last storm may set people at ease;
this was just a test... I rode it out until it was clear that it was not 
going to be a survival situation. With all those anchors out I'd probably
have done more harm running the engine, cutting lines etc... Ya' never know
tho'.. I removed the booms/sails (together) and even without this windage
I was heeling 15-20 degs. in the gusts (70kn or so). I considered a haul
out but IF there were 15' tides the boat yard would have been under water
by 6 feet anyway so I relied on what I had (and made notes for the future).
Non-fouling/resetting anchors (CQR) seem best for multiple sets. I am
afraid of Danforths under 75#'s as they 'fly' when upset. The Hereshoff 
(fisherman) is excellent but can foul ( but seems to hold anyway) but
I'd rather have a 75#er (all I can handle without windless).

Fair winds and a following sea.
Ed