We’ve had a squally night, filled the water tanks, but no major excitement. Michael Jones took this shot of Steve checking and adjusting the snubbers.
The big Fortress anchor is ready to slip under the lifelines if needed.
Do you think Gene Kelly (Singing In The Rain) would be jealous?
We have been trying to capture the feeling from the inside looking out. Warm, dry (no leaks, of course), with the chop occasionally blown flat by the breeze, we would not miss this opportunity for anything. Shortly we are going to test engine RPMs required to power up on the chain.
The radar tack shows both the shearing at anchor (plus/minus 30 degrees in the squalls), and the wind shift. The breeze has been ESE for the last six hours. Constant wind angle indicates the center is tracking our way. We have been watching the NOAA buoy off New York Harbor and it shows 40 knots with significant wave heights of 20 feet (six meters). The strongest gust we have seen here is 45 knots.
The barometer has been dropping steadily, now at 975mb, as of 0800, but nothing precipitous. that, we suspect, will commence shortly.
A close up of the chart plotter. The marks define our stern at various wind angles and are a reference for dragging.
Finally, a photo of our Furuno 2117 radar, during a heavy rain squall, showing its ability to pick out small targets. What we are after in a radar is the ability to see through rain and sea clutter. Nothing else really matters. The target to the northeast is a 40 foot sailboat, end on.
The eye, if we are lucky enough to experience it, is due in three hours.
Posted by Steve Dashew (August 28, 2011)
August 28th, 2011 at 8:47 am
Dear Steve,
I hope you get to experience the eye of this unique hurricane. We have been following you since we met you in Fort Lauderdale last March.
Your detailed tips are highly appreciated.
Have fun,
George Ponte
August 28th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Great information. I keep vacillating between wishing I were on Wind Horse to experience this and thinking “better you than me.” I hope the strongest winds do come from the SE with that sailboat to the NE of you. Did they take the sails off the roller furlers? When things have settled down could you post a picture of the clevis connection to the snubber line?
Thanks,
August 28th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Hi Daryl:
We use titanium snap shackles over the chain.
August 28th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Can you overlay the National Hurricane center’s maps over your nav displays?
Daryl
August 28th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
What is your assessment of the forecasts and other government warnings?
The reason I ask is that private weather stations from Hatteras to New England were reporting winds of less than 40 mph on the ground as Irene passed through.
Clearly, marine environment is different but as I write this LI Sound is showing 5.2′ waves w 5 sec period.
August 28th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Hi Kevin:
All forecasters are wary of underforecasting and tend to overforecast. If y ou look at the entrance buoy for New York Harbor you will find 20 foot waves at 11 second interval – steep! I think the forecasters at the NHC (as opposed to the news) did an excellent job.
August 28th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Great pix and great preparation. I’m in awe that you decided to try and experience the eye of the storm. We were in Oyster Bay last week and can imagine what your panorama is. We played Chicken and took DOMINO way up the Hudson, behind Schodack Island, 25 miles south of Albany. Hoping that you are safe.