Quick Storm Prep Question

[Blaugrana]

Although it is still somewhat early to tell what we are going to get here in NJ, I am prepping my boat accordingly at my dock.

I am debating on whether to lower my outboard into the water or leave out. If in, I am wondering if it’s best to leave straight, turned in so bow would go towards dock or away so stern would go towards the dock.

What’s everyone doing for prep with regards to their outboard?

 

[wspitler]

If you don't have any current, how you turn it won't matter very much. Lowering it will reduce the wind induced yaw a bit. More important is your tide range and whether your dock is floating. If not a floating dock use extra fenders and lots of scope on your mooring lines to accommodate rise and fall. Run your bow, stern and spring lines as far as is feasible to allow for rise and fall. It can go either way depending on the tidal surge and wind induced tide range.

 

[Blaugrana]

Thanks I’ll put the engine in tomorrow.

I prepped my mooring whips and dock lines this evening but will do again in the AM as I was afraid to do too much as I wasn’t sure what the 6am low tide would look like as I don’t have a floating dock. Right now the boat is probably 4-5ft away from my dock and I put five bumpers along the side.

First year with boat but I know the last heavy winds we had my bow had too much movement as my mooring whip up front did not have enough tension.

Everyting online focuses more on those people in slips or moored from a storm prep perspective. There is very little on how to handle it with a fixed dock, but you are right that my biggest concerns are tidal surge and winds

 

[wspitler]

If the tide goes high and the whips don't hold the boat off the dock, I'd consider putting out an anchor or two to hold the boat off the dock. You want to keep it away from the dock and if the water level gets over the dock there is nothing to keep the boat from coming over the top of the dock and hitting pilings, etc. Use lots of scope, but tight enough to keep the boat off the dock. A wind off the dock will be better, but a wind onto the dock is your concern. An anchor 25-50 yards out with a bridle for fore and aft control might work If there are any waves, being against or onto the dock is pretty damaging. Check the predicted tidal surge for an idea of whether your whips are tensioned correctly. Here on the west coast of FL our typical tidal range is 4 feet, but we can get an 8-10 foot range during a storm or hurricane.

 

[seasick]

The normal tidal swing along with the predicted swell determines how much 'play' you need. What you are trying to do is make sure that the lines at high and really high tide still allow a space between the hull and the dock or pilings. If too short, the lines will pull the gunnel downward as the tide rises. That can result in damage and sinking in extreme cases.
The longer the spring lines the better since a long line doesn't change effective length as fast as a sort line would. Be careful and don't make the stern and bow lined too short or any breast lines for that matter.
Mooring whips usually make things easier since they allow more room for longer lines to start with.
Be aware that the natural response might be to make lines tight. In most cases with high tides, you need looser lines and probably a few more (doubling up)

 

[Blaugrana]

Thanks all for the feedback...

Any thoughts for future reference on how I did for this storm? Think my dock setup is my weak link as I don’t have any pilings taller than 1.5-2ft above ground.

Pics at Low tide prior to storm

 

[Blaugrana]

Pics 1 hr before low tide during storm