Our granddaughter looks at the wind and rain from Irene
Hurricane Irene helped kick up the adrenaline level as August came to a close. It wasn’t just preparing both boats for the 7.5 feet surge. We were also getting ready for our son’s marriage, which took place at the height of the storm on Saturday morning (Aug. 27th) at Virginia Beach. So, our boat projects were put on hold for a bit as we first prepared for the storm and the wedding and then hosted 2 of our grandsons for a week after the wedding. But we managed to get a few things done in between.
Orion Jr's wood needed some TLC
Woodwork
Shortly after arriving back in Hampton with Orion
Jr, we started work to restore its teak to sleek and shiny condition. The exterior wood looked pretty well
weathered, but most was undamaged. The only exception was a split in the starboard toe rail, which we discovered in Mayo, when we washed the deck for the first time. Dave had taped it in place for the trip down. Now, we could take the time to repair it.
There were 2 repairs needed. The split pieces needed to be re-attached, and the 2 screw holes forward of the crack needed to be filled so that the screws would once again hold the wood in place on the deck. Dave epoxied the 2 pieces together and then taped them in place. Next he popped out the teak plugs in the screw holes. He put tape below each of the holes and partially filled each with epoxy. Once the epoxy hardened, he was able to screw through the epoxy and secure the toe rail to the deck. Cathy fitted new teak plugs in the screw holes and then sanded the rail in the same way she did all the other wood. Seven coats of varnish later, it seems to once again be fitting to call it “brightwork”.
Shortly after arriving back in Hampton with Orion
Jr, we started work to restore its teak to sleek and shiny condition. The exterior wood looked pretty well
weathered, but most was undamaged. The only exception was a split in the starboard toe rail, which we discovered in Mayo, when we washed the deck for the first time. Dave had taped it in place for the trip down. Now, we could take the time to repair it.
There were 2 repairs needed. The split pieces needed to be re-attached, and the 2 screw holes forward of the crack needed to be filled so that the screws would once again hold the wood in place on the deck. Dave epoxied the 2 pieces together and then taped them in place. Next he popped out the teak plugs in the screw holes. He put tape below each of the holes and partially filled each with epoxy. Once the epoxy hardened, he was able to screw through the epoxy and secure the toe rail to the deck. Cathy fitted new teak plugs in the screw holes and then sanded the rail in the same way she did all the other wood. Seven coats of varnish later, it seems to once again be fitting to call it “brightwork”.
With the exterior wood done, Cathy turned her attention to the wood in the main saloon. A repair
was needed here as well. The fiddle that originally lined the starboard ledge must have popped off at some point in the past, because it was laying loose in the V-berth when we first boarded the boat. Also about a foot of its aftmost length had a jagged edge where a piece had broken off.
Since this broken edge would not be visible, we focused instead on strengthening the screwholes so that they would once more allow the wood to be screwed into the fiberglass along the back of the settee. Using the same technique he had used for the damaged toerail, Dave filled the holes with epoxy. He was then able to screw the fiddle back in place.
was needed here as well. The fiddle that originally lined the starboard ledge must have popped off at some point in the past, because it was laying loose in the V-berth when we first boarded the boat. Also about a foot of its aftmost length had a jagged edge where a piece had broken off.
Since this broken edge would not be visible, we focused instead on strengthening the screwholes so that they would once more allow the wood to be screwed into the fiberglass along the back of the settee. Using the same technique he had used for the damaged toerail, Dave filled the holes with epoxy. He was then able to screw the fiddle back in place.
With the repairs complete, Cathy finished prepping most of the wood in the main saloon and a recently-acquired dishrack. After applying 5 coats of varnish, the results look great. Her only regret is that what didn’t get done will have to wait for quite a while before she will likely be able to get to it. You can only make that kind of mess so often.
More Power
Having invested so much effort in getting the DC wiring right, Dave now turned his attention to the AC wiring (that is shore power). He wanted to install a 3-breaker control panel on the board above the batteries that contained all of the other electrical components. To do this, he needed to mount it on a box that would hold the wires and circuit breakers, which he could then mount on the board. He found a junction box at Lowes that would do the trick. He just had to cut a hole in the cover to allow him to drop in the control panel.
Having invested so much effort in getting the DC wiring right, Dave now turned his attention to the AC wiring (that is shore power). He wanted to install a 3-breaker control panel on the board above the batteries that contained all of the other electrical components. To do this, he needed to mount it on a box that would hold the wires and circuit breakers, which he could then mount on the board. He found a junction box at Lowes that would do the trick. He just had to cut a hole in the cover to allow him to drop in the control panel.
Dave prepare box to hold AC panel
Once the box was modified, he mounted on the board and began running the wires to power the 3 circuits. The first would be the main switch that
would control the 110 outlets that were to be installed. The 2nd would power the battery charger. The 3rd would control an outlet for a heater or air conditioner. Once the box was wired, we needed to run the wires into the boat and install some AC outlets. After much consideration, we decided to choose 2 locations on either side of the galley, with the wires running up the starboard side behind the settee to the 1st outlet and then forward under the V-berth and back through the head to reach the 2nd outlet.
would control the 110 outlets that were to be installed. The 2nd would power the battery charger. The 3rd would control an outlet for a heater or air conditioner. Once the box was wired, we needed to run the wires into the boat and install some AC outlets. After much consideration, we decided to choose 2 locations on either side of the galley, with the wires running up the starboard side behind the settee to the 1st outlet and then forward under the V-berth and back through the head to reach the 2nd outlet.
Other than some smaller tasks (putting latches on the cockpit lockers, connecting the chartplotter to the VHF to provide our position for DSC calls), we spent much of our time planning for, researching, and ordering parts for other enhancements that are still planned: a water system, the bimini, new cleats, ground tackle, insulation for the Waeco fridge. But before we could get very far, we had to turn our attention southeast, as the waters began to churn in the Atlantic for a storm that soon had a name – Irene.
Orion is read for the storm
Stripping Down and Tying Up
Dave had been watching the storms in the Atlantic all summer, but when Irene started to move toward the Bahamas, it became increasingly a concern. The “spaghetti” models showing its possible track on BoatUS’ website were starting to trend toward a sweep up the East Coast. That meant we had to get ready. Our first decision was whether to stay put or to go somewhere else. With 2 boats to care for, we quickly decided to stay put. Our neighbors in the marina had been through at least 2 significant storms with large tidal surges (Isabel and Ida) and weathered them without too many incidents. Our biggest concern was how close we were to the sailboat that was docked next to us, since our slips are a little narrow for our beam. We would have to do our best to prevent any possible contact. The surge was going to be the biggest issue. In the past it had risen as much as 8 feet above normal high. That was what we needed to prepare for.
Dave had been watching the storms in the Atlantic all summer, but when Irene started to move toward the Bahamas, it became increasingly a concern. The “spaghetti” models showing its possible track on BoatUS’ website were starting to trend toward a sweep up the East Coast. That meant we had to get ready. Our first decision was whether to stay put or to go somewhere else. With 2 boats to care for, we quickly decided to stay put. Our neighbors in the marina had been through at least 2 significant storms with large tidal surges (Isabel and Ida) and weathered them without too many incidents. Our biggest concern was how close we were to the sailboat that was docked next to us, since our slips are a little narrow for our beam. We would have to do our best to prevent any possible contact. The surge was going to be the biggest issue. In the past it had risen as much as 8 feet above normal high. That was what we needed to prepare for.
Orion Jr tied up for the storm
Preparing two boats instead of just one was exhausting and kept us busy through a long day well past dark and half of the next day. On the surface, the work to be done on both of them was the same: strip or secure any loose items on deck, tie extra long lines to secure the boat mid-slip. However, in execution, each boat had its challenges and its benefits. Orion, having been our home for 5 years was much more work to strip and secure, just due to the number of things on deck and the challenge of storing them so that we still had room to continue to live on her. However, with her mid-cleats and all the lines we have acquired over the years, it was easier to know how to secure her so that she rose and fell with the tides. Orion Jr, had very little on deck, and her small size made it easier to take care of her. For instance, rather than dropping the mainsail and then securing the boom, we simply removed the boom with the mainsail on it and stowed it below. The anchors that were mounted on deck could be stowed below. The only thing that added complexity to securing her was the installation the day before on the new bows for the bimini, which now had to be secured for the storm. The biggest challenge on Orion Jr was rigging her lines. With only 1 bow cleat and no mid-cleats, Dave had to rig shackles on the toe rail to take the lines through. Also, we had bought a number of lines for her, but we had to search a bit to ensure we had enough long ones for the storm surge.
All of Orion's fenders are deployed
So on Thursday before the storm was due arrive on Saturday (Aug. 27), we woke early and got to work. First on our list while it was calm was to drop the headsail on Orion. (We had removed Orion Jr’s the day before.) There was a little more wind than we would have liked, but it’s a good thing we went ahead with removing it, because the wind only got stronger as the day progressed. We had to strip the decks of anything that could be blown away or create excessive windage. We felt pretty lucky that only 2 days earlier we had managed to sell our little inflatable dinghy. (It was kind of sad to see her go.) That meant that we had one less big item to worry about. The other dinghy, along with the generator box and the box that held our diesel jugs were loaded into a truck and stored at our friend Steve’s house. The bimini and the enclosure panels not already taken down needed to be cleaned and stowed below. Then the bimini poles needed to be strapped down and padded to ensure they didn’t scratch each other or the boat surface. The secondary anchor came off. The mainsail tail was strapped to the mast. We covered the helm pedestal with a thick plastic and then tied the helm cover on over it.
Chain runs around the pilings to attach the dock lines
Next we began running extra lines. The overall plan was to have the lines set so that the ones away from the finger pier were set low, which would draw the boat away from the pier as the water rose. Those on the side with the finger pier are placed higher, so that the boat will move away from the pier as the lines on the other side tighten when the water rises. Once these lines were in place on both boats, we started working on chafe protection. Cathy ripped up a pair of Dave’s jeans and began to furiously create long stretches of chafe protection which Dave place on lines that crossed over decking or other lines. He also ran the lines under the piers around pilings with small lengths of chain to prevent the lines from chafing on the pilings. Finally, we placed every fender we owned on each of the two boats to reinforce our fender board and allow the boats to be protected on the upper part of the pilings.
After an exhausting couple of days, we felt we were ready for the storm. We were also helped tremendously by our neighbor's decision to move out of his slip and across the river to the Hampton Public Pier, giving us much more room to move. So, we felt we could leave the boats and let them ride it out on their own. We couldn't spend any more time on them anyway. Because we had a wedding to get to -- in Virginia Beach
After an exhausting couple of days, we felt we were ready for the storm. We were also helped tremendously by our neighbor's decision to move out of his slip and across the river to the Hampton Public Pier, giving us much more room to move. So, we felt we could leave the boats and let them ride it out on their own. We couldn't spend any more time on them anyway. Because we had a wedding to get to -- in Virginia Beach
Wedding Bell Blues
The news that Irene was targeting the East Coast on the weekend of August 27th was distressing for us, but it was horrifying news to my son’s fiancé, who was planning on getting married on the beach at Virginia Beach on the same day. Each day created a new problem. The judge cancelled. The wedding guests couldn’t make it. The replacement judge couldn’t make it. The hotel wanted to cancel. Still they kept going. This was the date they had
planned for so long. It was going to happen, come hell or high water, literally.
So, we did what we could for them. Dave created a website to help them communicate with guests the up-to-date status of where the wedding would be. We had already agreed to pick up the cake the day before the wedding. We arranged with Cathy’s sister to get the bride’s parents to Virginia Beach
the day before the wedding. We agreed to watch the boys, whatever the weather for a few days after the wedding. By Friday, when we walked away from the boat, we headed over to Virginia Beach against the much larger tide of traffic heading the other way. It was a nice day. Adam and Christina and the kids were swimming in the ocean and enjoying the beach. But the storm was still coming. By suppertime, they had another shock. The 3rd judge had called, he was going to be delayed by 2 hours. They were at their wits’ end.
The news that Irene was targeting the East Coast on the weekend of August 27th was distressing for us, but it was horrifying news to my son’s fiancé, who was planning on getting married on the beach at Virginia Beach on the same day. Each day created a new problem. The judge cancelled. The wedding guests couldn’t make it. The replacement judge couldn’t make it. The hotel wanted to cancel. Still they kept going. This was the date they had
planned for so long. It was going to happen, come hell or high water, literally.
So, we did what we could for them. Dave created a website to help them communicate with guests the up-to-date status of where the wedding would be. We had already agreed to pick up the cake the day before the wedding. We arranged with Cathy’s sister to get the bride’s parents to Virginia Beach
the day before the wedding. We agreed to watch the boys, whatever the weather for a few days after the wedding. By Friday, when we walked away from the boat, we headed over to Virginia Beach against the much larger tide of traffic heading the other way. It was a nice day. Adam and Christina and the kids were swimming in the ocean and enjoying the beach. But the storm was still coming. By suppertime, they had another shock. The 3rd judge had called, he was going to be delayed by 2 hours. They were at their wits’ end.
The wedding day dawned with Irene starting to vent her fury all around us. Dave had to make a last minute run with the top of the wedding cake to Wal-mart to get it re-decorated, since the top layer had slid. Cathy was trying to relay the weather and road closure info to her relatives who were deciding whether they could get from Williamsburg through the tunnel before it closed (and if they could get back). One of the groomsmen didn’t show. So
Dave was called on to take his place. The photographer didn’t show, so Cathy was asked to take as many pictures as possible for the wedding albums. The hotel thought they would lose power any minute. And just before the ceremony, with the judge not there, Dave was asked to lead the ceremony. (And, in case you’re asking yourself. NO, it’s not legal for a captain to marry somebody.) And outside the winds blew and the rains came.
Dave was called on to take his place. The photographer didn’t show, so Cathy was asked to take as many pictures as possible for the wedding albums. The hotel thought they would lose power any minute. And just before the ceremony, with the judge not there, Dave was asked to lead the ceremony. (And, in case you’re asking yourself. NO, it’s not legal for a captain to marry somebody.) And outside the winds blew and the rains came.
So, they held the ceremony. Dave married his first couple. And then the judge arrived later and did it in a 2nd go-round for the legal records. The DJ made the 2 hour drive from Emporia. Cathy’s family braved the winds and managed to cross the James River on the Monitor-Merrimac bridge-tunnel to get back to Williamsburg. It was a beautiful day, despite the weather with lots of memories that will certainly last a lifetime.
Jayden is transformed into a butterfly at the VA Living Museum
Good night Irene
So, what about the boats in the storm? They did fine. Not a scratch. The marina lost power for 5 days, but with the cooler weather, we enjoyed the week with our grandsons aboard who hardly noticed the lack of A/C, except for the darkness in the bathrooms on shore. We helped out our neighbors on the dock by running our generator to recharge batteries and run bilge pumps.
But we still are keeping a watchful eye on the Atlantic storms: Katia, Lee, Maria . . .
So, what about the boats in the storm? They did fine. Not a scratch. The marina lost power for 5 days, but with the cooler weather, we enjoyed the week with our grandsons aboard who hardly noticed the lack of A/C, except for the darkness in the bathrooms on shore. We helped out our neighbors on the dock by running our generator to recharge batteries and run bilge pumps.
But we still are keeping a watchful eye on the Atlantic storms: Katia, Lee, Maria . . .
