SV Salt Walter - Gulfport FL
(http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt230/SV_HideAway/tornado012.jpg)
Mokulani - Gulfport FL
(http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt230/SV_HideAway/tornado004.jpg)
Ridiculous - St Petersburg Fl washed ashore in Gulfport FL
(http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt230/SV_HideAway/tornado008.jpg)
On March 31st a series of nine tornadoes and many severe thunderstorms came ashore starting at 6 am and ending around 9 pm dumping 4-6 inches of mostly horizontal rain in winds of 70-95mph. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed. Countless cars airplanes and boats were smashed or damaged? HideAway and my truck among them.
After living in the Great Plains all those years I had to come to Florida to experience a tornado first hand ? I have seen many tornadoes in my time but no picture or video can capture the power and horror of actually being in one of these things. I?ll admit I kind of like the new skylight over my desk but could do without the water fall. All kidding aside its big time scary.
Two of the three boats pictured belong to fellow club members. I spent a good part of this afternoon busting up oysters by Ridiculous. Sea Tow will try to pull her off tomorrow.
Hope it's a happy ending.
Bruce
Matt-
Sounds like you didn't get through it without damage. Sorry to hear that. Hope all is repairable and able to get back on the road and water with minimal fuss. More importantly...glad you and Admiral are OK!!
Matt:
So sorry to hear of this catastophe. Keep us posted as to Hideaway's damage which I hope is minimal and cosmetic. I always thought you owned a real piece of history, being hull #2. Glad you and the Admiral were not on board at the time.
Bob23
So far the damage seems to be the bimini. We didn t discover that until we launched yesterday. The center support is broken and a lot of the stitching is ripped out. After all the stuff that has been flying in the air, I m concerned about the rigging so we will inspect it today before we sail.
Only one boat, a power boat, in the dry slips blew away. Actually it was saved by another Compac 23 that blocked its exit.
Remember those buckets I hang by the portholes to ventilate the boat? The ones on the port, Gulf side were almost full of water - a new record.
The main sail was off the boat while Linda sewed in some patches required after our last cruise. We had hoped to replace the main but we have an uncle in DC that we have been supporting all year and had hoped he would return at least some of our funds but alas he has asked for more. Did you know you can get sail tape three feet wide ? cool stuff.
But overall we were among the lucky, although I keep finding bits of Spanish Moss in odd places of the truck ? the interior of the truck was pasted with leaves and twigs and I?ve got some new dents and gouges. The truck across from me was totaled.
Its all good ? we are still sailing and it s a beautiful day
You can add five more reasons.
As we sailed around Boca Ciega Bay Sunday near Gulfport we saw five more boats strewn around the beaches and sea walls. Another a 40 something still at anchor but its mast and sails in the water. Liveaboards reported winds of 70mph with thier boats heeling 30 degrees at anchor then snapping back at the end of the rode. We stayed away from known anchoring areas trying to remember where the boats used to be and afraid of those that may have sank.
Had a great time tonight dining under the confederate Jasmine in full bloom on the club deck, a nice breeze and wonderful sunset. Sea Scouts meeting on one end and the adult sailing school in full sail inside -- ahhhh spring