Bimini and tent in 40 kt. Gusts?

[Ken O]

Hello, We are expecting 30 kt. winds and 40 kt. gusts later today. The wind will hit the boat from the side. I am wondering if we can leave the Bimini and tent up or should we take it all down. All canvas is in good condition. Thanks.[/u]

[thataway]

I take all canvas off when in long term storage (except a full boat cover). If it is kept tight and there is no movement with breeze, then you might get away with the lower range winds. But to be safe, I never tow with Bimini up, same if lots of wind. We had up to 50 mph last night. I would have taken the Bimini off if it was up.

[colbysmith]

If it were me, I'd probably take it down, unless the boat is behind some kind of wind block. The material will probably hold up fine, but that's a lot of force on the aluminum or SS framing, unless it's pretty solid. I never tow with my bimini up, unless I'm going to the local lake and not towing faster than 40 mph. But then that would be into the wind. Colby

[Hunkydory]

For that forecast probably better to remove than not & I certainly wouldn’t tow with canvas or Bimini up, but I’ve been docked with the winds as high & higher than you say are forecast in SE Alaska & on Yellowstone Lake & no damage to my older worn over time & patched canvas & frame. Both of our boats were at the Bridge Bay Marina last summer when this storm came through & no damage to ours or the other boats around us with canvas up. Over the last 20 plus years I’ve been docked with canvas up several times during similar storms with no damage. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/07/us-thunderstorms-slam-yellowstone-national-park-destruction-everywhere

[Hunkydory]

Ken, I viewed your weather forecast on the “Windy” weather app & if me, If the Bimini & canvas is still up, I would leave it up for this weather event.

Jay

[Foggy]

My SOP protocol when expecting high winds, on a boat with exposed canvas at a
dock or mooring, is to take the canvas down (best bet) and stow it or tightly furl it
adding lashings (next best option).

On a C-Dory bimini with framework, I'd also lash the tightly furled canvas to the
frame and increase protection by lashing the canvas/frame bundle to cleats.

I've seen sailbotes with roller furled genoas break loose during a blow unfurling
the genoa, watch it flog with attached sheets (very dangerous), then become
shredded and destroyed very shortly in the wind .

The power (force) of wind: when the wind speed doubles, the wind force is squared.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Don't mess with Mother Nature."

[Ken O]

Thanks for all the info. We did take the canvas down, except for the bimini, which we lashed tightly to the cabin. The storm was less than predicted, only 20 kt. gusts at most, so everything was fine. NWS did have many tornado warnings all around us though.

BTW, for Jay, I forgot to mention that we are wintering at Hontoon Island. Golly, do we miss our Montana weather, but it just wasn't suitable for camping out in winter...

[Hunkydory]

Ken, I remember, when we were in Yellowstone last summer, you saying, your plans for wintering this year being Hontoon.

For us, Bimini & canvas removal has been a non event on our CD22 boat for storms with wind & I suspect with most all CD22 cruisers it’s the same. Unless possibly for tornadoes & hurricanes, it’s just not needed & if then in a C-Dory boat, you will most likely have bigger problems, than worry about a damaged cockpit cover, though in Ken’s case with the weather service projecting possible tornadoes in the area not a bad idea to remove & secure as a close miss could not necessarily damage the boat, but could the cover. As I stated before, I have never removed either in preparation for possible damaging wind on our CD22 & that would include strong gales & extreme thunderstorms without damage & in fact doing so has never even been a consideration, as for us it has always been just the opposite. It was during these kind of events, we wanted the cockpit covered to keep out the water, that most always comes with them. Normally we run with just the Bimini on, as we prefer the uninstructed 360 degree view, that most cockpit covers prevent, so we only add cockpit canvas in preparation for a storm, rough seas or to better secure the boat, when leaving it for extended periods at a dock. Possibly not with some others, but on our CD22, the addition of cockpit canvas to the Bimini, when properly secured, makes the whole stronger, similar to adding stakes & guy rope to a good ground tent. On the other hand, leaving the cockpit cover up when towing at normal road speed for more than a very short period of time will very likely create extensive damage from the sustained wind, near to or at hurricane force if much of any head wind.

[Ken O]

Thanks Jay,

We always appreciate hearing from people who have "been there." We will look forward to seeing you at "the Lake" again this summer.

[thataway]

In Florida, or many places which have the line squalls, or Derecho type of storms, it is advisable to remove all canvas. For sailboats that means every sail down below--including roller furling genoas. For hardtop flying bridge--the canvas around the sides, and for soft top all of the canvas and frames. We have seen multiple instances of sails and various forms of canvas damaged, but also become "Sails" and contribute to boats being lost from anchorages and moorings.

I like the slant back cockpit covers and for most of the time I have one in place--great protection. However with heavy winds these will be shredded.

What we had Monday night/Tues. Morning, was a series of lines of squalls/thunderstorms, there were some lightening strikes, lots of microbursts with mini tornadoes, and at least one large tornado. We take those very seriously. All it takes is to loose a Cockpit camper Canvas is one of those high velocity cells: $5,000...gone.

[Hunkydory]

Bob, I will certainly defer to you & suggest others do also on weather related precautions for boating in Florida & the other places you have extensive experience, especially when it relates to sailboats. I had to look up the definition of a Derecho type storm & it opened my eyes more to the concerns of you & Foggy. On the high mountains lakes & especially a large lake like Yellowstone, we also have the severe thunderstorms with extreme winds, lightning & micro burst, but they are usually of very short duration, so the chances of having cockpit canvas damage minimal or mine would have been. In SE Alaska its again very rare in the late spring & summer to have gales with winds of much more than 50 knots & most of the time protection from the higher wind can be achieved, so again unlike Florida & it’s like. In the future, I will try to be more cautious of giving advice in areas lacking personal experience or knowledge.

Jay