On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:49:34 -0500, Molesworth
wrote:

My boat is 40', fixed keel, and is currently in New Orleans Municipal
Marina on Lake Pontrachain (Sand/mud/silt bottom).

With the upcoming hurricane season, and knowing that every boat in there
in '05 was destroyed (but not one in the Orleans Marina immediately
behind (inshore) of it), my mind has been contemplating methods and
options on what to do if I get (say) a weeks' notice of an imminent Cat
3+ hurricane.

Get as far inland as possible on a protected river or cove. We did
that for hurricane Charlie here in south Florida and it proved to be a
good strategy if a trifle nerve wracking. Don't wait until the last
minute because lift bridges and locks tend to stop operating well in
advance. Getting upstream from a lock protects you from tidal surge
effects if that is an option.

My idea is to sail her out to mid lake and single-anchor with max rode
(so she can swing), after taking off all loose bits.

Really bad idea in my opinion. You are almost certain to lose the
boat on a large unprotected body of water like that. At the very
least, create a three point moor using the largest anchors and rode
you can muster. Use lots of chaffing gear.


Or hiding her beneath the high bridge of I-10?

Another bad idea in my opinion. Bridges become a focal point for
current and debris.