The docks have been abuzz as crews prepare for Hurricane Ian. It's looking like we'll be getting some rain and wind (but nothing crazy). Fulmar is all set so we headed out for a dock walk. We love checking out other boats.
Preparing for a storm is never fun, but after going through over 30 of them, we've learned some lessons. So yeah, we indeed judge people when we check out their storm prep. For your entertainment, here's some of what we saw, annotated with our opinions:
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Using too few lines. This is probably a half million dollar boat and they apparently ran out of money for dock lines. Three lines hold this to the finger dock, which will be the upwind side of this storm.
Do better.
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Running lines to the cleats on the other side of the dock. Dock lines love to have room to stretch and this gives them the space they need. As long as your dock neighbor is good with it, this is a great way to prep for a storm. Notice both boats have 2 sets of spring lines -- these are the lines that truly hold your boat in place. A+.
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This one wins the award for innovation. They've run a chain under the dock and each boat is using it as a fourth attachment point. Bonus points for this idea!
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Doubling up lines, but they are using a single line for this. Better than nothing but if that line chafes at the dock cleat (which is likely, given how it is tied), both of these lines are useless. If you're going to double up, use two separate lines.
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Using two separate dock lines to double up. This is the preferable way to add strength.
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Keeping people safe by adding rags to make it easier to see the lines running across the dock.
Great idea and these are good neighbors.
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Tying a line to the bow eye. If your boat has one of these, it's probably the strongest attachment point you've got. And running a line from this bow eye keeps the force pulling on the dock cleat down low. Cleats are not designed to have the line pull upwards; that's how you rip a cleat out of the dock.
Good move on this crew's part.
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Running lines that are vertical to the cleat. This allows the boat to pull up on the dock cleat -- a great way to pull it out of the dock. Instead use spring lines.
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Tying boats together. This video was taken in a light breeze and look at the load as these boats spring back together. We don't like it.
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Expensive overkill? Probably. Also no chafing gear on the blue line. Yuck.
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Using a ratchet strap to secure a dinghy. Janet says this is fine but Damon is all judgy and says it's not seamanlike..... (He also says ratchet straps rust and become nasty. You can accomplish the same thing using any piece of line if you tie a trucker's hitch)
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Taping over every hatch seam. Any self-respecting hurricane would laugh at your masking tape. Can't hurt but probably won't help.
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Launching the dinghy and filling it with water. This is a good way to keep your dinghy from flying away. Just make sure it's safely tied and you pull it out of the water before nasties can grow on the bottom.
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The king of all fenders. It scared Loki.
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Lots of fenders (that's our boat, and too much is never enough).
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Fenders don't do any good unless you deploy them.
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Chafing gear. Love it.
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Chafed dock line. Check all your lines regularly and add chafing protection. This is scary.
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If your anchor blows away you've got bigger troubles! But no harm no foul. Unless, things go sideways and you need to deploy that anchor in a hurry.
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Wrapping the jib sheets around the jib to try to prevent the wind from unfurling it. Better than nothing but seriously people, take that genoa down. If there's one thing we do, we take the genny down. Number one.
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