Bertram33 User Forum

quote:Originally posted by ckuppens Have you guys ever looked into sealing the cockpit deck hatches so the rain doesn't drain into the bilge? I was thinking of even sealing them with blue painters tape and force the majority of the H20 out the scuppers... Is there a downside to that strategy? I am going to remove my mooring cover due to the winds. Expecting 4 inches of rain… The way the primary sump bilge pump is set up makes me nervous… It is a Jabsco pump that has an inline filter before the pump… meaning if you suck up crap in the bilge it could clog the filter. There is a secondary pump but the set up make me nervous.This is a great idea. During one recent hurricane I rode through, the harbor turned off the main power when the water rose to the level of the under-dock conduits. That storm decided to stop and sit on top of us for a long while, and we got 25" of rain from the damn thing. My batteries died from all the pumping after a while, and the boat started filling up. It never got too bad... but there was probably 16" of water (more than I've ever seen) in the belly/interior bilge area when it was all over. Had I anticipated that, I would have ran my genny every few hours to keep the battery charge topped off. Lesson learned

Chris: Part of my standard hurricane preparation has been to tape- over the aft deck hatches (FBC)with duct tape. Sewrved me well in Hurricane Andrew. Only problem with duct tape is you have to get it up quickly after the storm passes so it doesn't sit in the sun. If you do you'll need lacquer thinner or some other solvent to get the stuck glue off. Still better than chancing the batteries dying from a constantly cycling bilge pump. Mike Ford

Mine was hauled this morning. My marina makes that call... not me.

It looks like we're going to dodge the bullet on this hurricane. Where we live we are on the line for hurricane force winds or tropical force winds. We're only looking at a 3' to 5' storm surge. With the storm picking up speed they are calling for 3 to 4 inches of rain. Buzz

I'll be thinking of all you guys up the east coast. It looks like if you have a little luck it won't be toooo bad. Knock on wood we have been lucky so far this year in Florida. Good Luck to all of you...

Chris Taylors Point is where my boat is. It is right around the conner from you and you will not find a safer place to hide except behind the gates in New Bedford. There are open slips there as of last night. We will be riding it out tonight. Looks like it has been downgraded......but you know how Buzzards Bay gets. Brian 1986 Bertram 33 FB Cummins 6BTA'S Seahorse Ellisville Harbor, Ma

Brian... I will be over there at some point tonight. One of my buddies bought a 33 sea ray "lottie Bee" or something like that. He is there for the season and we will be checking on the boats together

Chris, stop by and say hello or hoist one with us. We are on C dock. Brian 1986 Bertram 33 FB Cummins 6BTA'S Seahorse Ellisville Harbor, Ma

My marina has a deal that if you pull two days to the storm, it's only $8/foot for pulling AND re-launch. A nice incentive and in this case, it worked but I don't think was necessary. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Ahore2.jpg[/img] Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Take the flag off the outrigger! Ha

When a hurricane comes ! They really blew it, the forecasters actually look embarrassed on TV they were so far off. I thought they were getting better at this but mother nature wins again. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

sand your running gear and scrub the water line. Take advantage of the boat on the hard. I ended up at PIYC in a slip. Heading over at 10 for a few beers and the 1st hour of Jaws on DVD

We think alike.....water line is already scrubbed and running gear doesn't need it. I've got decent use out of it this year. Going back in at 1:00 today, time to put the canvas back together. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Glad you guys in MA didn't have any problems! It missed us here in Wilmington, but I think Buzz K must have had some serious rain and wind since he lives in Morehead City. Hope they are OK there.

The storm, thankfully wasn't anthing to it in Morehead City. the highest gust at my house was 36 MPH and we had about 3/4 of an inch of rain. We'll be out on the boat Sunday and Monday. Thanks Buzz