Hurricane Sandy

[John A]

Are any of you folks on the East coast concerned with the late season, fast moving Hurricane Sandy?

I know that many cruisiers leave the US in the later part of October. Hows it going so far?

[Captain Bill]

It's already starting to get blustery in the Oriental NC area.Were supposed to get sustained 40 and gusts to 50+.

[sailnautilus]

I am in Stuart Florida; we are seeing steady winds of 40 knots and gusts to 55 knots. It appears that the eye of Sandy is directly east of us in Bahamas, but forecast is for winds to get worse here tonight.

I have 52' Kanter lashed to dock and anchors out... riding OK.
Two powerboats sank last night on adjacent dock; not properly secured.

Chris Parkers weather report was excellent this AM; catch him tomorrow AM if you are on east coast.

[hpeer]

We are on the Delaware Bay, for now it looks like Tuesday is gonna be "interesting."

Our marina is on a canal, off the C&D. So wind and wave are not much of an issue.

Last years storm (Irene?) surge got us to within about a foot of the floating docks walking off the pilings. That is my biggest concern. This might be bigger.

I'll be going down to the boat over the weekend with lots and lots of rope. We end up anchoring and tying off the docks, just like they were boats.

[C4 King Cobra]

Got into Miami last night! Went thru some of it 40-50knt. Still blowin here.

[Resail]

We are heading out from Rock Hall, MD, sailing to St. Thomas directly after the storm passes (or sooner in the unlikely event it stays out to sea up the coast). We were supposed to leave tomorrow, but now looks like Wednesday is more realistic.

Can anybody tell me what the seas will be like directly after a hurricane? I sailed from Bermuda to Tortola last year after TS Shaun, and seas were big, but this storm is bigger! Not sure what to expect?

Thanks!

Resail

[Jeannius]

We are in Charleston City Marina. All quiet so far.
A few people - me include - are getting ready, but most boats show no sign of activity.

[DeepFrz]

Resail, the National Hurricane Center says that seas will be rough after the passage for a few days.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by Resail

We are heading out from Rock Hall, MD, sailing to St. Thomas directly after the storm passes (or sooner in the unlikely event it stays out to sea up the coast). We were supposed to leave tomorrow, but now looks like Wednesday is more realistic.

Can anybody tell me what the seas will be like directly after a hurricane? I sailed from Bermuda to Tortola last year after TS Shaun, and seas were big, but this storm is bigger! Not sure what to expect?

Thanks!

Resail

Particularly check the status of the Gulf Stream and surrounding waters. With the current flowing rapidly north into a northerly wind, it could be pretty riled up. I saw a report of 28' waves off Florida today. It doesn't sound like something that settles down all that quickly.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by Resail

We are heading out from Rock Hall, MD, sailing to St. Thomas directly after the storm passes (or sooner in the unlikely event it stays out to sea up the coast). We were supposed to leave tomorrow, but now looks like Wednesday is more realistic.

Can anybody tell me what the seas will be like directly after a hurricane? I sailed from Bermuda to Tortola last year after TS Shaun, and seas were big, but this storm is bigger! Not sure what to expect?

Thanks!

Resail

I can't, but these guys can.....

NWW3 Product Viewer


Ocean Prediction Center - Atlantic

[hpeer]

Anyone know of a good storm surge predictor for Chesapeake and Delaware area? I had one last year that was spot on but now can't remember.

[kmacdonald]

Looks like the press is going to blow this storm way out of proportion like they always do.

[DeepFrz]

I would say the NA is not a friendly place to be and wont be for a while. That low SE of NFL is huge.

[GordMay]

While you (kmacdonald) may think you know better than the (other) experts; I'm not convinced, and remain concerned.

[sabray]

Well could be but let's look at what's happened. We go back no further then Irene. The news guys were horrible at actually chasing out good questions and succinctly reporting good information. Yet with all the hype mass numbers were not prepared. Damage was all up and down the US seaboard. I was on board in a marina and several boats were damaged a few wound up in the beach. Here in the upper chesapeake it wasn't even that bad. Rookeries furled jobs were shredded and boats sunk.
Not sure what you call an over cry out. Bad reporting I agree. Sadly I have been on board through several cat 1 hurricanes I have always gone way out to protect my boat. Prolonged sustained winds will wear things like you won't believe. High tides from slow moving cat 1 hurricanes float things and boats to places that press them to failure.
I expect the hurricane to loose wind speed. But expect that tropical force winds will prevail over a large area. I also expect that winds will prevail for a duration greater then most hurricanes as it combines with the cold front. This will put continous strain on everything mooring your boat.
My suggestion reduce windage add chafe gear and lines. I will be putting my usual hurricane anchors out plus the above suggestions.
As usual I'm not screwing around with this kind if force.