Under the Circus Tent
Yesterday was definitely a day for rounding up pairs of animals! A series of intense rain squalls began in the morning, and have still yet to really let up. In fact, I think it rained non-stop from about 4:00 PM yesterday until early this morning, much of that time accompanied by thunder and lightning. And it’s raining again, with even more big squalls! As always happens during weather like this, there’s been a bit of drama with boats dragging here and there. Fortunately for us though, our Mantus anchor is holding solid as its meant to do. We’ve managed to remain stationary, safe, and for the most part, dry.
On two occasions, once yesterday and once just an hour or so ago, we had people temporarily anchor right beside us, each planning to simply drop by for a short visit. As luck would have it, both were caught by 40 knot squalls when they were off their boat, and began dragging! Good thing they weren’t far from home when that occurred!
Rebecca takes a hit for the team, going out in the rain to re-tie
our hatch cover which had come undone in one of the squalls.
The other day, one of our Facebook friends commented that they could have their boat ready to get underway in just 5 minutes. While 5 minutes might be pushing it for us if we were really making ready to sail, in an emergency, we could certainly do it. I wonder about some others though.
As I looked around the anchorage the other day, I took note of numerous boats that had elaborate canvas covers rigged to protect their entire deck from sun and rain. Some of them were so covered that I wonder how they’d fair in an emergency situation, for example, if their boat began dragging anchor, or if another boat was dragging into them. Both of those situations occurred today, so it is a distinct possibility. I know that, in our own case, if we put up the large bow cover that we have affectionally dubbed our “circus tent,” while we could still raise our anchor, it would not be all that convenient. It also limits my vision from the helm. I don’t want to imagine what it would be like if we were trying to raise anchor with it rigged and one of these 40 knot squalls occurring. That definitely wouldn’t be fun.
Our striped circus tent.
I don’t have a real solution for this as, for many people, these shades are important for comfort when at anchor. I wonder though how many people think through the “I need to move my boat right now” situation. It would be wise to do so.
I thought for a minute Rebecca was in the rain shaving her legs!
She does that off the back of the boat.
I love the name: Circus Tent!
🙂
Yes, some of us do like our shade while at anchor. I have thought it out but still hope to never have to put it through the test. Our main awning is purposely high enough to quickly move forward in the event of an emergency and leaves just enough visibility to get underway before lifting any side flaps if needed. Our rain catcher awning up forward is much lower to the deck all the way forward but still leaves the whole anchor chain area open with plenty of room for working the anchor and chain. A quick crawl under it at the last bit puts you ready to go or a couple of snaps released will also get you there quick enough. The rain-catcher would have to be cleared or tied off smartly after the anchor was raised for maneuvering. I’ve thought it out every time it blows stink but still my first line of defense is the engine running.
Your canvas has certainly been strength tested as of late!
It seems that there will be times when you can put out all of your awnings and not have to worry about it, but when you hear of ‘weather coming’ in the morning reports, just keep it down. While the individual squalls come up quickly, the likelihood of squalls is fairly predicted, no?
You’re at least partially right. I can’t speak for other areas but the weather here is almost always forecast as “sunny with cloudy periods and a chance of rain.” That “chance of rain” could be a squall that packs a bit of a punch. Presently the weather is very disturbed so we are having one squall after another, and strong ones. The squalls that are occurring now should definitely not be a surprise right now.
Hi again Mike and Rebecca:
A term we’ve heard bantered about on many of marina dock and out on the water is “Prepare, Execute, Tidy Up!”.
We have always cruised under the premise of hoping for the best but always expecting the worst. As such, whenever we would leave the boat at anchor, if no hands remained on deck, we would always leave her tidied up to leave at a moments notice. At times this could be a real pain in the posterior, especially when all around you is the appearance of calm and serenity – but oh so fortunate when even 5 minutes seems too long to get underway at a critical moment!
Cheers,
Alan and Christina
You have learned how fast things can change here. From calm and serene to all hell breaking loose in a moment’s notice.
I was in such a hurry to re-launch in front of rain last week, that we started away from the travel lift without having removed the awnings. We took them down a few minutes later, while motoring out.
a. They do restrict viability a little, but they don’t add much windage and they have been up in 50 knots before.
b. They both come down inside 3 minutes, I’m sure. The main attachments are all polyester soft shackles (only a few knots and cleat hitches.
The boat came with a big awning that was not squall worthy. I quickly decided there was no point.
We’ve had multiple 40+ knot squalls these past few days so anyone with canvas up is having it well tested!
Mike, you are such a lucky guy to have Rebecca on board with you. I’m sure if I were to ask my wife to go out in the rain and tie down a hatch cover she’d get up and instead tie the new Mantus to my ankle and toss me overboard! ?
The Circus tent is funny, however maybe you need to spice it up a little with bold colors and have it as your new trademark or maybe a product?
The truth is, I didn’t ask her. She volunteered. So yes, I am lucky, but I have always known that!
I am thankful that our sunshade all unzip easily from the Bimini and u clip from the lifelines very quickly and easily. We’ve tested it before in a severe squall and just threw them under the cockpit table. Worst case we can still easily up anchor with them in place and remove later, forward visibility
That sounds good. I think the canvas covers that many monohulls rig over their bows are more problematic than the ones that cats rig around their cockpit areas.
And I’m thankful we don’t get cold in the squalls here.
Me too!