I wouldn't rely on a dog screw. Our club requires the use of a ground screw during the season. For $10, I bought a 4' ground screw from a farm supply store. Put it in to the ground and tied the trailer to the screw and the boat to the trailer. If Isabel turns our way, we will put in another ground screw, drop the mast and secure it to the screws under the trailer, and probably remove the tramp. We will do anything else that our Commodore asks us to do to protect our boat or others property. We may even move it inland and, finally, find the insurance policy.

Here’s an alternative for you. You were thinking of coming up for the Annapolis to Oxford race, September 20 weren’t you? Bring you boat up here, hopefully away from Isabel and do the race. So far, three beach cats registered, and I know of four or five more that are imminently registering. This is the first time beach cats are being allowed in, officially. This race is traditionally a monohual race, 150 of them or so.