Hurricane Matthew looked as if it was going to be a major threat to the Neuse River and New Bern, NC area. Our Gemini sailing catamaran is based at the New Bern Grand Marina- and so we could have had major winds if the storm had remained on its initially forecasted track.
The storm’s coming
On Monday Diann and I had to begin preliminary work to ready the boat. Over four days we changed out half inch dock lines for 5/8 inch lines; added chafe protection; adjusted fenders; shifted the catamaran forward an extra two feet; so we could drop the dinghy into the water; filled the dingy with water to weigh it down; and taped up all the hatches and windows except the hatch in the head. Oh yes, both sails were removed and stored in the port berth. Gasoline containers are now stored in the Jeep Wrangler’s cargo box.
Note the pole to cleat line which helps guide our catamaran into the slip. It adds a line of separation between the boats, too.
Double lines with chafe protection
Water flooding the inside of the dinghy will add weight against wind gust lifting forces.
As of this Friday afternoon blog post, NOAA is forecasting gusts of 62MPH on Saturday at midnight.
Zoey and I will observe the harbor, Saturday night, from an elevated room in the Double Tree / Hilton hotel which adjoins the marina. I might have canceled the room reservation if Zoey was with Diann (who is headed to see her Mom in Coeburn VA.) However, taking care of a six pound Pomeranian girl dog, in the midst of tropical storm winds and driving rain, makes more sense from a land base than a tossing boat and floating dock system. AND the hotel bar serves Hurricane drinks!!
Zoey enjoyed sleeping on the settee while all the boat preparation was going on. At the end of my Friday activity she raised up and looked at me as if to ask, “what’s all the fuss about?” “It’s nap time !”
The story / blog of Yacht A Fun, a Gemini catamaran sailboat, traveling the ICW and east coast with insights to the extended cruising life. Hurricane Matthew storm preparation