I woke up at 2:00 am last night as heavy air buffeted the windows. I was trying
to remember how we tied up Alien yesterday. Did I set the spring lines
correctly? Did I use the backup lines? I knew I had, but my imagination was on
the run. As surely as the wind chaffed those lines, my concern also started to
wear on me.
20 minutes later I drove out to City Island. It was REALLY out of control out
there! Parts of the marina were actually awash. Alien was fine, but I added
lines anyway. A pretty new Beneteau 39 had her light air genoa partially
unfurled by the wind and she was smashing against the side of the slip. The
sail was shredding, but also opening more and more. A friend of mine was there
to check on his powerboat and we both tried to secure the sail, but no way, no
how. It had ripped open near the top some how and was a mess. Out on the inside
of the breakwater, a 32 foot powerboat had her stern pointed the wrong way.
Every 4th wave was crashing over her stern, sending a lot of water beneath her
tarp. Her pump was working hard. There was no way to turn her in those
conditions. I hope she made it through the night. We hopped aboard my buddy's
Vindo, flipped on the instruments....53 knots max at the masthead! I stowed his
dodger as it was acting like a baby spinaker. It was heavier and steadier than
the so called hurricane we had for sure. I added lines to a few boats I'm
familiar with, repositioned a few fenders and left a message for the fellow who
looks after the Beneteau. I felt bad about the powerboat. Not much I could do,
unless I stayed aboard her and bailed her all night. No thanks.
Closer to shore Alien was much more relaxed, but I tightened the genoa anyway.
It was wild out there...but fun!

RB