Hey guys, if anyone is watching the tracking models we,re looking a party next week. South Louisiana is dead center of the mess heading our way. Looking at the options if we wish it to the west, our buddies in Texas will get it... not good! If we wish it to the east, then our other buddies in Mississippi, Alabama or Florida Panhandle will get it... not good. SO, the best we can do is PRAY for a cool front to knock this thing down some. We can handle a little rain and a lot of wind but 100+ MPH we can do without.

Pray for a cool front and bring it on. Now to go secure my boat(s) in case the praying don't do the job <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />.

Clayton
Note: At 50 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico it doesn't slow down much otherwise.

Hey Clayton, Im in Thibodaux with a H-18 in my yard and a hunter 23.5 at Lac DesAllamands.... I started hoping for the best yesterday, and will tie the boats down today.

Keep your loved-ones dry and your beer cold.
Good luck

Todd

Keep gas in the tank, beans in the trunk! Make sure your insurance is up to date!

Hey Todd, thought about you guys. Some of the tracking puts it closer to you guys. We're a little northwest of you so if that will help you can put your boat at my place. You may have other worries though... good luck. You guys have an escape plan?

Clayton

I'm sitting in the Gulf right now at 28* 12.759N 92* 01.343W. Luckily I put my boat on high ground at my house incase it swings west but my beloved Bronco is sitting at the Marina near Morgan City, LA. where the storm is predicted to make landfall. I'm gonna miss her.

I would venture to say they'll bring you in before it hits. You're further from the coast than I am but in the opposite direction. Probably seems pretty normal right now huh? Forecast I just looked at has it only at 110mph at landfall.

Good luck,

Clayton

It's pretty calm right now, kind of eery calm. We are supposed to take the barge into Sabine and ride it out. I will be staying with it. Never been in a real Hurricane yet, so this will be the first for me. Kind of looking forward to it. Adventure, I guess.

Lee:

MAN I am so glad I got out of there. Three month in Amelia (Morgan City area) was TO much. NO more stinking offshore!!!! Good Luck and miss the Dike gang.

Doug

I rode out Dennis in 2005 and the eye wall went right over my house near Pensacola. Was really sketchy for about 30 minutes. I was not near the water though. I kept hearing things hitting the house and wondering when something was going to hit the sliding glass door!
I decided that it was not the best decision I had made. Johnny Walker helped at the time <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have to agree that 'riding out' a storm isn't usually a good course of action. I have been stuck riding out storms (fire rescue) and one or two at my house (storm changed course unexpectedly and shut off evacuation routes)

Consider the following if there is a serious storm coming:

- you will be without power/utilities. Even if you don't sustain direct damage, you will have no AC, TV, computer, lights, refrigeration, etc. at least during the storm.

- you cannot safely travel when windspeeds are over 40 knots. If your car/truck doesn't get pushed around, you'll be hit by branches, signs, garbage cans, power lines, etc. And, the water will be deep..

- EMS and police will not respond to anything until windspeeds are less than 40 knots. That could mean up to 20 hours with no response. If you flood out, even less chance of anyone getting to you. So don't get electrocuted, break anything, hurt your back, have a heart attack, etc....

- There is no way you can make any sort of building repairs during the storm. You just have to sit there and watch your house come apart, or flood. And you won't be able to get to a shelter if the roof comes off until the wind dies down...

- Riding out storms with your kids is even more pointless. Notwithstanding the reckless endangerment of minors issue, the emotional trauma of hurricanes on children is deep and long lasting...

I applaud all those prudent enough to evacuate before Gustav. I would rather have my tax dollars pay to assist those who did evacuate than to waste them on hig risk rescue operations for those dopes who thought they could ride out storms in their manufactured housing...

Is your property really worth more than your life? If so, please get insurance on the property, and evacuate...

I agree, we evacuated to B'gham, AL and now trying to find an open route back. An 7.5 hr normal trip took us 13+ hrs. Hope going back is not so bad. B'gham is a nice place, don't know if there is sailing close by.

Clayton

A great place to go sailing is the B'ham Sailing Club. http://www.birminghamsailingclub.org/default.html
They have a fun cat regatta the last full weekend of October called Cat Capers. Aught to try and come north agian for it if you can. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This report from the Cap'n:

See, all those cases of coors light kept the roof held down.... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Heck it took me 13+ hours to get here the first time... don't think thats normal though. Didn't have time to pack the Nacra this time.

Clayton