We are nearing the fall weather pattern which brings strong southerly winds as fronts approach.

Tomorrow is the first of the fall pre-frontal winds.  We will be issuing a Gale Force Warning tomorrow morning for all of Saturday.  Winds will be strong and gusty from 25mph to possibly 60mph.  We have these kind of winds multiple times during Fall, Winter and Spring.  It is now time to consider whether your property at the marina is ready for those winds.

• Are your dock lines in good shape?
• Are mainsails removed from the boom or at least properly covered.  Mainsails not removed or properly covered will shred in strong wind.  It is a good idea to remove your mainsail from the boom or cover the sail and then wrap a line around the cover
• Is your genoa removed or properly AND tightly furled?  Genoas that are loosely furled are VERY prone tun unfurling and shredding in the wind.  An unfurled genoa can also lead to dismasting
• Are all your halyards secured?
• Is your standing rigging properly pinned?  Just one standing rigging wire that pops out due to a cotter pin or split ring failure can lead to a costly dismasting.
• If you have a boat cover, is it properly secured?  Loose boat covers can shred in the wind.
• Is all your property on your boat or on the dock properly secured?

We haven’t had much wind this summer which has lead to some complacency.  Ripped sails or dismastings can be very expensive.  Unsecured property or rigging on your boat can lead to damage on the boat next to you also.

Thanks

Dave