Waiting For Matthew

SHIP'S LOG:

     It is funny how things work out sometimes. This coming weekend, Columbus Day Weekend for Italians and the politically incorrect, is traditionally the weekend when a large number of the TYC folk head to Essex/Hamburg Cove on the Connecticut River to party. Since it is a three day weekend, we usually leave on Saturday and overnight for two days and on Monday, half head back to New London to continue the sailing season a few more weeks and the rest head up river to one of the various marinas, depending on what you can afford, for winter hauling. I am planning to head up river because: 1.) Riverside in Portland is now the least expensive marina around; 2.) the weather is bound to get less warm and less  stable the longer I wait; it's a 42 mile trip and being in Essex means I am half way there so why not go all the way. Good, smart, safe seamanship.

     Now way down in the Caribbean, we have a Hurricane brewing which look to really clobber Jamaica, Haiti and Cub in the next 24 - 48 hours. It is currently a Category 4 and since the top is a Category 5, it is a monster. Unfortunately, it could end up right here come this weekend and that is a real cause for concern. While I doubt that even if it gets here it will still be a Category 4, even a Category 1 is a bastard. I can not leave before Saturday in part because my crew can't leave before Saturday and also due to the fact that I am running the Launch on Friday Noon to 6pm and it will be a busy time if Matthew is coming this way. Everyone will want to secure their boats, be it readying it to ride Matthew out on their mooring, or dashing off to a hurricane hole somewhere, or getting hauled at some marina. It will be a very busy and chaotic day.

     If Matthew is going to hit Friday, Saturday or Sunday, I will have to ride it out on the mooring at TYC. I had the chain replaced this spring. The anchor is well and deeply set in the bottom,  so the mooring is as good as it gets. ABISHAG is strong and has already weathered IRENE and SANDY, so hopefully she can handle MATTHEW should he come calling.  If MATTHEW comes Monday or later, I'll dash up the Connecticut Saturday to Riverside and snug down there. Or Perhaps I wait it out in New London. It really depends on the track. I am hoping that it takes a left at Cape Hatteras and heads way out into the Atlantic. The next 24-48 should give a good idea as to where the storm is going. The second most anxiety producing day is the day you head up river for winter haul out, the first being when you bring the boat down river at the start of the season. .The waiting for this hurricane, coming when it is, will be a killer. AH, the joys of boat ownership.