Yachtcouncil.com

The 2008 Hurricane season is officially in full swing. Here in South Florida there is nothing more concerning for our personal well being and that of our families, homes & boats. The same can obviously be said for all the other states in
harms way when things heat up. There will be no shortage of media madness with TV & radio stations competing with the newspapers to see who can do a better job of forecasting storms and cheering them on to develop into at least a category 3. If we allow ourselves to get psyched outwith all the hurricane hype every time the wind kicks up above light & variable, we should surrender and move into a storm shelter until the all clear signal sounds around mid November.

To help guide you through this year’s HurricaneSeason while maintaining your sanity & sense of humor, we have put together a quiz that should prove most beneficial. This is a hypothetical scenario when a Hurricane Warning has been issued and you are in the path of a direct hit according to one or more of the computer cone zone images.
It’s a simple true/false format which everyone should take to be better prepared for the inevitable. Circle answer:

• A sensible option is to keep your vessel in the marina or at dock behind home and ride out the storm as opposed to risk collision and certain frustration, with the many other vessels heading to a safe harbor. True or False.
• Leave Bimini top & enclosure up to protect gauges & electronics. Also should keep antennas and outriggers in full-upright position. Another good idea is to place cinder blocks on all deck and bridge furniture to prevent from being blown away. If varnished pieces, wrap blocks in chamois or terry cloth. True or False.
• Larger vessels should consider anchoring out, in the lee of the storm. Good opportunity to test ground tackle and zero speed stabilizers, not to mention a great qualifier regarding commitment and loyalty of crew. True or False.
• Outboard boats - center consoles & cuddy cabin models - need to skillfully run vessels fast & hard onto sandy beach, deploy anchor further on shore and raise motors before leaving scene or higher ground. True or False.
• Noble gesture would be to invite every captain and crew member you know and host Hurricane Party with open bar and non stop Jimmy Buffet tunes, in an effort to boost morale and keep tabs on their where abouts during storm. True or False.