Sitting Out a Norther

So what is it like when you are sitting out a northerly blow in a crowded anchorage? The first question is why not move from the crowd?  Well, simply, we are in the most protected anchorage (from northerly winds) in the area, behind Monument Beach.

Bel Motivo

Lemonade

Throughout Friday the wind rotated from SE to SW, blowing very light.  The calm before the storm. When a norther blows in the wind shift is usually clockwise.  The rain arrived near midnight, with a slight wind from the West.  At 0200, Saturday morning, NW winds hit us blowing up to 25 knots (29 mph).  As mentioned in my previous blog (Bryce and Veronica’s Visit), a boat (Bel Motivo) squeezed in 'too close for comfort' Friday afternoon.  The problem was amplified as they had deployed only 75 feet of rode to our 110.  Because we anchored in 15 feet of water and aware of the upcoming weather, we preferred a 7:1 ratio.  Before the shift, Bel Motivo was off our bow approximately 70 feet.  After the shift, they were approximately 25 feet astern.  I radioed them and they let out approximately 15 feet of rode and we pulled in about 10 feet.  It was still not comforting but better.  Throughout Saturday morning and night, with our anchor alarm set and radio on, we heard of boats dragging.  One boat, a 46 foot Hylas, dragged through the harbor with no one aboard.  Several cruisers boarded their dinghies and went to the rescue. 

On Sunday morning I contacted Lemonade, anchored to our west, to discuss the upcoming wind shift from the East.  He informed me he had out 80 feet of rode.  He also informed me that the boat which was NW of us dragged during the night and hit him around 0500.  No serious damage and the offending boat moved away. 

Horn and Q-beam at ready

Most events scheduled for the ongoing regatta are canceled or postponed.  Most boats still have dinghies attached or lifted as boaters choose to stand at guard or would rather not dinghy ashore facing the choppy waters.  Occasionally I see a poor soul bringing his pet to shore for business.  Ruth and I are staying on board, until she can no longer take me, for the reasons indicated above. We keep the VHF on and the anchor alarm set.  Further, we have the signal horn blaster and Q-beam handy.  If someone drags near us or we drag near someone, I want to make sure they are alerted quickly.  I've recently heard VHF conversations in which portals have been broken and hulls punctured by dragging boats.

This wind is not expected to start diminishing to less than 20 knots until Wednesday morning,.  Many sailors seem to start getting stir crazy during these long blows.  One challenged other boaters in the 'George Town Exuma Sailors and Cruisers' Facebook page to a game of ‘mine's bigger than yours,’ referring to wind gusts.  So far, 44 knots is leading.  Anchor discussion evolved from the Net on Saturday morning as someone accused the old generation anchors, such as CQR, Claw, Delta plow styles, etc., inadequate to the new generation anchors, including Mantus, Rocna, Manson Supreme, etc.  This can be a touchy subject, as some people are faithful to their brand.  I got out the popcorn for this but the results were without drama.  

Enough already

The wind shifted slightly, Sunday night, blowing steadily from the E at 28 knots.  Hopefully, this is the crest.  During the night I listened attentively to two boats discussing a dragging situation they were currently dealing with.  The dragging boat collided with the rear boat leaving a scratch on the side and the anchors had become entwined. The rear boater managed to pull the dragging boat's anchor off his rode then deployed it to his starboard side where it set.  The boat that dragged let out more chain and decided to ride out the night as is.  They agreed to assess the damage during the morning.  Monday is the third day of 'confinement to the boat' and the mental state of the crew of Pura Vida remains.... ok.  Of course when the captain pampers the crew with gourmet meals, mani's and pedi's, back rubs and personality who wouldn't be ok?  We have shifted slightly away from Bel Motivo and are currently aligned forward and between her and Lemonade.  We watched the crew of Lemonade replace their starboard snubber line as it had chafed badly.  We often consider pulling anchor and moving forward 100 feet but with a good set and the danger of being overtaken by the wind, we stay put.  Before turning in for the night we listened to the Alt Net, which is a satirical, entertaining broadcast imitating the morning cruiser net.

We stood ready Monday night expecting the usual dragging conversations on the radio.  None were heard.  Perhaps after 4 days of winds pounding us from 25 - 35 knots, anchors are well dug in.  We've been informed the amount of strong winds we've experienced is very abnormal for this time of year.  I've learned to estimate the wind speed by the sound of the wind passing through the rigging.  At 35 knots (40 mph) it sounds like a flute.  Yes lame, but the imagination runs wild after being confined so long.  I believe the crew of PV is starting to get restless as a comment was made about lowering the dink and heading for shore.  Currently the wind is down to the lower 20's.  

This Tuesday afternoon, we've made the decision that the blow will be over tomorrow, regardless.  Tomorrow we will put the dink in the water and go somewhere, regardless.  It is still blowing near 20 knots, but is predicted to start diminishing overnight.  By Thursday morning we will move PV to Kidd's Cove, near Lake Victoria (where the dinghy dock is located) to await the arrival of Blake and Chris.  More about that.... next time.  

Sample of the wind screaming through the anchorage, below...