Well, we've managed to escape the wrath of hurricanes and the like for quite a number of years, but it looks like Sandy may make landfall here in NJ. Of course, it's a bit early to tell and be sure I'll do my best to give on the scene coverage.
I've talked to one of my customers in west coat Florida...he's got wind. Anyone else with info on this storm? I already don't like her...she cut short my sailing season... I was toying with staying in through November. Instead, Koinonia is coming out on Saturday. Wahhhhhhhhh!
Bob23
I might actually get to take out C16/2 "Slow Dancing" for the first time with Sandy approaching. Weather in Central Virginia has been too good; high pressure, 70-80 degrees, Autumn leaves, 0 to 3 knot wind, and etc. Sunday the wind should pick up to 18 knots with approaching rain and dropping temperatures. I've done everything except blister repairs below the water line and I am very excited that I might actually get to sail before the predicted snow Monday night in the nearby West Virginia mountains. What crazy weather!
I live in Ft Lauderdale, 8 miles from the coast, and Sandy is thrashing up through the Bahamas right now, a couple of hundred miles offshore, almost due E of me. Winds at my house have been blustery and windy all day, with intermittent, sometimes violent rain squalls. In case you don't know about the NOAA website...
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Just click on Sandy and drill down for more info.
Good luck, Eastern Seaboard. This looks like an ugly one. You've got a few days to batten down, take in a reef, and heave-to.
Thanks, Henry.
Yes, I have the nhc on my favorites list. My boat comes out today and by the activity I saw in the marina yesterday, many others also.
Here's another site:
http://spaghettimodels.com/
Bob23
We are just getting higher winds in the Gulfport Fl area - probably gusting in the 20s- power went out last night and has flickered a bit today- more due to untrimmed trees than anything else.
Glad we did our cruise last week.
Be careful -- Sandy looks very bad
it might be broke and crooked as a dogs hindleg but with sandy approaching its nice to be in illinois.
I hated to do it but ended up pulling Serenity today too... just in case. On the plus side the newly modified trailer with the extra 4ish feet of extension kept my truck dry while pulling the boat. Lunch last spring water was up to the doors. The new two speed winch (with brake) was also very handy for pulling the boat and dropping the mast.
Shawn
Koinonia was hauled out yesterday 2:00 pm at Long Key Marina, Waretown, NJ amongst many other boats being hauled. Vince jr., the owner started yesterday at 4:00 am so he rightly deserved the Yeungling he was enjoying when I left at 5:30 pm.
The biggest problem up here in NJ is the storm surge which some say could reach 7 feet...we'll see. But Sandy is forecast to make landfall south of me (Cape May, NJ) at the time of high tide and combined with the onshore flow of winds, we're gonna have a fun time! Long Beach Island has a mandatory evacuation order by our beloved Gov. Christie.
Stay tuned for more...
Bob23
This brings a whole new meaning to the "Barnegat Bay BASH". Stay safe, Bob! How far from the coast are you?
One would think that we are safe up here in the Catskill Mts. but Irene proved that wrong last year. We have several towns locally that have not yet recovered. The massive rains caused a lot of flooding damage so the sting is still pretty fresh and people are being diligent this time around in making preparations.
The Madame Z is tucked away and the generator is set to go.
Good luck all!
I am 9 miles from the coast but being at about 100' above sea level, we won't have any problems with the tide. We are pretty much in line for a direct hit, or she'll make landfall just south of us, which will be worse. Ironically, Irene, when she came for a brief visit on her way to you, did absolutely no damage as the eye passed directly over us. We couldn't believe what we were hearing about the damage to NY and New England.
Yesterday I hooked the generator up and Miss Honda is ready to go. Although I'm an admitted tool and gadget freak, this is one I'd prefer not to have to use.
I'm monitoring the USGS tidal gauge which is about 10 miles from me and right in front of my brother in laws house in Waretown. At last nights high tide, we've already reached the high tide that we had with Irene which is 2.5 ft. And Sandra hasn't even arrived...she's due sometime tonight. Here are a couple of links:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/030345.shtml?5-daynl#contents
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?01409110
Your on the scene reporter, Bob23
thanks for the update, bob. i sure wish that adagio was parked in your driveway too! not much happening here in northeast pa yet. some wind, but not much rain. school was called off today. i guess that we just have to sit here and wait for your updates! it sounds like you are well-prepared.. jt
Hope you all come out of this unscathed.
I wish everyone in that region the best of heart felt luck, Sandy will prove to be a bwitch..
Bob23 , just keep your family safe, and your powder dry, and we'll meet on the otherside..
We're here if you need us, have truck, will travel to help a friend..
My prayers and thoughts, ( as those of many, I am sure), are going out to all of those affected by this terrible storm.
God, safety, and peace be with you.
Well, it seems like Sandy may have gotten the last laugh. Today I was helping my friend Bob who owns a radio station and the storm had damaged an old shack containing transmitter equipment. The shack was leaning against the tower and potentially putting lateral stress on the glass insulator at the base of the tower. Our job was to dismantle the shack carefully. Add to the mix that the tower is out on the salt marsh in Southern Ocean County, NJ. So we had to work in about 1 1/2 feet of water with a rising tide. We had about a half dozen of us there including Bob.
Somewhere along the line, a board dropped on my foot...didn't think anything about it...even kept working until the job was done. After a brief nap in the afternoon, I could barely apply any weight so off to the Urgent care for an x-ray where, sure enough, a small fracture appeared. Now I'm looking at 3 to 4 weeks of no work at a time where there is ridiculous amounts of work around.
Sometimes I have to pinch myself; I'm having so much fun that it must be a dream!!! Thanks, Sandy!
Bob23
Ouch, Bob,
That stinks! Well rest up and heal quickly. Resist the urge to go out there in your cast and work before it is healed up. (Someone told me that once or twice). At least it's not keeping you from sailing. Maybe it is a good time for some small projects on Koinonia?
My son was just sent down your way to help out in the BJ's in Mays Landing. He is a manager in the Albany store so he is helping out while the managers in NJ can take care of their own homes.
Take Care, Bob,
Allen
Sorry to hear about your mishap Bob. Rest up and heal well. If there is anything Brenda and I can do to help you out, just call.
Mike
Thanks, Gents:
Biggest problem for me is the inevitable inactivity. I don't like being restricted and when I am, I tend to get cranky and grumpy. (The Admiral might rephrase that to being more cranky and more grumpy!) Fortunately, I have stuff to do...calls, office work catch-up and maybe some writing. And of course my continuous blabbing here at the site!
I can't climb up into the boat so all boat stuff will have to wait. I'm grateful that I got her out when I did.
Compared to many people, I am truly blessed. Some folks are returning to homes that are no longer there. I can't imagine how that feels.
Bob23
Bob23,
Sorry to hear about your 'misstep' ! Glad it was not more serious and you and yours are ok. Seeing the pics on television last night gave me a lump in my throat. BTW, there is a helicopter in the Cape May, NJ air museum that my bro flew in Vietnam. He was there for the dedication 5 yrs ago (as was I) when it was restored and dedicated. Great area. Nice folks. I will tell you the story of the chopper sometime if you are interested.
Hey Bob, sorry about the foot, rest it well. Been through more hurricanes than I can count or even remember, the first weeks are generally emergency repairs and clean up, the real work, skilled stuff goes on for years, so hopefully you will get your share.
So Bob, getting bored yet? I am just getting back from 6 weeks down. A flying gybe in the Pacific broke me (arm, shoulder, ribs) and I just had my first full week back last week. Don't worry, the work will be there. Get some steel toed shoes whenever those shops open up again!
Saluki:
I love helicopters! Years ago I got to try to hover an old Bell 47...tricky. Of course, there were dual controls otherwise I'd not be here! Always up for a story so whenever your'e ready...
Brack:
Although there will be lots of work ahead, this is heart breaking work. Over the years, we escaped many serious storms but we all knew one would get us eventually. Sandy was the one.
Newt:
Sorry to hear of your injuries. That sounds painfull and I hope your'e making a full recovery. A lot of things to break at one time. Steel toed boots wouldv'e helped for sure but all I wear, winter and summer, are these: Of course not in red and green:
(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt260/Bob23_photo/Personal%20photos/ChristmasConverse.jpg)
Bob23
Bob, sorry to hear of the injury from Sandy...just glad to hear that it is relatively minor compared to what could have been. It's equally good news to read that so many were able to get their boats out of the water in time. During the years we lived along the Texas gulf coast the bottlenecks at the ramps made it nearly impossible to pull boats even 3 or 4 days prior to a hurricane strike...and given the uncertainty of Gulf Coast storm tracks the hurricane usually ended up coming ashore hundreds of mile away. End result was that few boats were actually pulled and when a storm like Ike stormed right through the heart of the Houston boating community the loss of boats was tragic. Maybe the nearly perfect forecast of Sandy's track means the hurricane models are getting better...at least I hope so. Bur hurricanes are now a thing of the past for us...I've retired back home to Colorado. Sailing is nowhere near as much fun as it was on Galveston Bay... but the skiing is better...[http://s1065.beta.photobucket.com/user/mgartland1/media/JPkayakingthroughIkedebris.jpg.html][http://s1065.beta.photobucket.com/user/mgartland1/media/HurricaneIke2.jpg.html?sort=3&o=16]