SANDY

[Bob23]

   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

[Citroen/Dave]

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!

[HenryC]

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.

[Bob23]

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

[HideAway]

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

[kickingbug1]

   it might be broke and crooked as a dogs hindleg but with sandy approaching its nice to be in illinois.

[Shawn]

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

[Bob23]

   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

[Eagleye]

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!

[Bob23]

   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

[jthatcher]

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

[chas5131]

Hope you all come out of this unscathed.

[bimmerhead]

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..

[JParody]

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.

[Bob23]

   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