Month: August 2012

It looks pretty certain that Key West will get a direct hit from Isaac. Whether it be a tropical storm or a category 1 hurricane is yet to be seen. Regardless, Pearl is READY. Everything on deck has been secured. The sails while still on have been tied down independently of the furling systems so that they are very unlikely to unravel. Dock lines and spring lines have been doubled and have chafe protection (thank you Denise!). Pearl may be mildly rolly but should stay in place nicely.

One of the big issues with a hurricane is storm surge winds that push water onshore as the eye passes over. Pearl is in good shape on both counts. She’s tucked away in a hurricane hole (the best one in the keys for a category 3+). The docks at the marina are floating concrete piers. This is ideal as the docks will move with any surge. Also, the entrance to the harbor is from the north which means that it will not get the full effect of a surge. Additionally, perhaps the surge will be mitigated by the lower than average tide and out going tide when the eye passes — if Isaac behaves as expected.

And now it’s just the waiting ….

This hurricane thing is beginning to look a bit more real than I would prefer. And, instead of curling to the North East and heading for Miami as I was hoping it seems to be taking a more westerly track. As of right now, Key West seems to be in the path of the eye. Yikes!

So what does this mean for Pearl? She is about to get stripped of all canvas. Sheets and lines that can be removed will come off. Loose stuff on board will be put away and she’ll be tied down, lines doubled, with chafe guards.

The great thing about where I am is that the Sunset Marina is moderately well protected from winds. It also has floating docs which means that when there is a storm surge, the boat will move with the dock, lines relatively tight, holding her in place rather than loose enough to accommodate the surge giving her room to thrash around in the wind. Basically, I don’t think I can do much better than here I am for upto a category 3 hurricane.

I’ve been out at anchor in higher winds (50-55kts) than Isaac is showing at the moment. Pearl handled just fine so I am not particularly worried. The only issue is that these winds will be for longer so I need to get a bunch of chafe gear in place.

Stay tuned.

Ok. So it looks like the weekend could get entertaining. Tropical storm Isaac may be headed for the Keys as a Hurricane. Right now, the eastern Caribbean is under storm watches, and Puerto Rico, The DR, and Haiti are under Hurricane watches. The Hurricane watch will likely extend to Cuba, Florida and the Keys on Thu or Fri if the storm continues to gain energy as predicted.

It’s a good thing I’ve done a dry run on prepping Pearl for weather at at the dock. I’ve got all of the required lines, chafing gear, etc. This should be an educational experience. Stay tuned.

The storm formerly know as Five has been renamed Ernesto, and looks like it’s headed into the Gulf south of Cuba. That’s good news for Key West — i.e. Pearl. It’s potentially bad news for TX as the storm may pick up energy from the warm Gulf Waters.

Houston. YOU may have a problem.

Ok people. First significant weather in the Atlantic for Hurricane Season: a tropical storm named “5.” Let’s see what happens with this! If it veers north (which it should), perhaps it will head for TX or LA, sparing Key West particular aggravation.

Personally, I hope that there are no hurricanes whatsoever, but … there you have it!

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/