Waiting for Sandy

Have spent the last 24 hrs trying to get ready for the approaching storm both mentally and physically.

Started yesterday by turning the boat in the pen so that the bow would be facing into the forecast weather and getting lines ready.  We had been debating how far to go with preparations but by lunchtime decided to do everything we possibly could to minimise the windage - the area presented to the wind.  

Started by removing the bimini (which is the cover over the cockpit.  Even though it sits horizontal it provides a huge area if the wind gets underneath it.  It is lashed along four sides and is heavy synthetic canvas so was a major effort to remove.  Next big job was to remove the headsails from the roller furling gear on the foredeck.  The first sail we tackled was the big Genoa.  This is a huge, extremely stiff sail which you would normally handle with two or three burly crewmen so for us it was a bit of a challenge but we managed to get it flaked on deck and lashed up.  Luckily the wind was pretty light at that stage.  Nic and Sam did a fantastic job.  The sail is that big that it is just sitting on the foredeck lashed down because it is too big to move aft or to store below.  Next we brought down the staysail which is smaller and more manageable.  This one we tied up and stuffed into the top bunk in Sam’s cabin.  

Dulcinea awaiting Sandy 

Port side - expected weather side

This morning we moved to a different pen with fixed piles on both sides which will be better for us.  Once moved we had to run the various lines out to the piles to secure us.  We currently have 11 mooring lines running from the boat to the dock - 2 bow lines, 3 spring lines, 2 stern lines, a spare bow line, a spare stern line and 2 spare spring lines.  In addition we have some spare lines in the cockpit if needed.  We have lines made up on all the available deck cleats and then three lines made up around the deck winches.  Where possible halyards have been removed and replaced with smaller messenger lines and all the loose gear on deck has been removed.  The dingy has been removed and even that is sitting with a three point mooring off the stern.

Now its a question of waiting.  There are a few other boats tied up and riding out the storm.  Some have left to find shelter elsewhere.  This was not really an option for us given our draft.  Some it looks like are staying on moorings in the inner harbour and I see at least one yacht anchored out.  The latest forecast still has a landfall probably around the Atlantic City area which is about 100 miles away.  Still the following is the forecast for our area

Sunday night - North 25 to 30kts with gusts to 50kts

Monday - North 35 to 45 kts with gusts to 65 kts

Monday night - Northwest 40 to 50kts with gusts to 65 kts

Tuesday - Southwest 30 to 40 kts with gusts to 60 kts

Tuesday night - Southwest 30 to 40 kts becoming 25 to 30 kts after midnight

Then there is the rainfall and the storm surge which will be pushing in.  With our location the storm surge shouldn’t be too bad????

So we have a 48 hr period to get through starting tonight.  Its quite nerve racking waiting for the winds and we are all a bit anxious.  There have been a few 25kt gusts and the boat strains at its lines so not too sure how we will go with the 65kt gusts.  Hoping that the kids especially Calley will not get too scared once the wind starts.  Still we believe we have done all that we can and will have to wait and see how we go.  We will hunker down and try and get some schoolwork done.  There was an option for Nic and the kids to go ashore to a hotel but they have courageously elected to stay onboard.

Calley's fabulous Georgetown Cupcakes birthday cake