thelog.com Dock Lines With Capt. Nicole
Lessons learned from the first wave of El Niño storms Story and photo by
Capt. Nicole Sours Larson
Now that we’ve caught a break after the first El Niño downpours – and do not doubt this was just the beginning, climatologists advise – it’s time to assess what we’ve learned from these storms. This initial batch caused little damage to boats but created more havoc to boaters’ efforts to check on their vessels. Flooded streets and highways caused unexpected diffi- culty for many mariners trying to reach marinas. Yet the heavy rains and high winds did point out poten- tial problems, while also making us grateful for our watchful, competent marina staff – as well as liveaboard neighbors – who keep an eye on our boats. After the storms passed marina staff roved the docks with portable pumps, dewatering small boats and dinghies lacking bilge pumps, ensuring they didn’t sink at the docks. Marinas also laid in extra booms and absorbent materials in case of any oily discharge. Some boats, including ours, had bimini or canvas ties break loose and flap in the wind, while some sailboats had roller furlers unfurl. What should you
do to prepare for the next El Niño assault? Check your lines, sails and canvas. San Diego Bay clocked sustained winds of 40-50 knots during one storm, with gusts reaching 70 knots. High winds can loosen lines and canvas ties and shred or rip holes in sails and canvas. Bring inside anything loose or too fragile to survive the wind’s buffeting. Look in your bilge. Is there more water in the bilge than you expected to see? Do you know where it came from? Remember that wind-driven rain,
The Log • Jan. 29 - Feb. 11, 2016 • 17
DWYC to host Open House for prospective members
winds. Check around any openings for dampness if it’s been a few days since the rain and look for entry points to seal. Is there standing water on the decks that isn’t draining properly? Remember that standing water can leach through even hairline cracks in the fiberglass and undermine its integrity. Dirt and blown debris can accumulate and block drains. Be sure to clean out all scuppers
or drains so water can freely exit. A clogged drain can force water to flow where you don’t want it. Snakes, spi- ral wires, a straightened coat hanger or a high pressure hose will usually clear them. Soon after we bought our current
boat, we experienced a downpour that caused water to pour through the escape hatch into the master stateroom. What a soggy mess! Arv, my husband, dis- covered the gasket around the hatch was filthy – and the internal drain totally clogged. He cleaned and replaced the odd- shaped gasket and bunged out that drain and all the other drains on board. We haven’t had the same problem since. Returning to
A water-filled dinghy sits at a public dock next to a small boat that sank during the first wave of El Niño storms.
the bilge, make sure your batteries are fully charged and ideally are connected to an automatic charger.
such as we experienced in the recent storms, will find unusual paths to enter your boat, even if all your hatches and ports appear tight. These intense rains often fall at an angle or are driven horizontal by
Otherwise a cycling bilge pump can run your batteries down and your bilge pump won’t work when you most need it. And check whether your bilge pump float switch works correctly, turns on when needed and isn’t blocked by debris or gunk. If you have known leaks, repair them as quickly as possible using a high-quality, durable marine-grade caulking material. If you’ve just dis- covered the source of your leak and can’t fix it immediately, you can rig a tarp as a temporary measure, tying it down securely to prevent it’s blowing off.
With care and preventive mainte-
nance, you can avoid most damage from coming storms.
DANA POINT — The boating season is here and Dana West Yacht Club, known as the friendliest little yacht club on the West Coast, is hosting its first Open House Membership Drive from 1-4 p.m. on Feb. 6. The community is invited to enjoy the club and meet the 2016 Senior Flag Officers: Commodore Greg Cox, Vice Commodore Ed Sicard and Rear Commodore George Bloomfield. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of
Dana West Yacht Club’s Open House is a time for potential members to learn about the club and its many offerings.
appetizers, drink specials and live music. For interested prospective members, the club is also offering a reduced initiation fee during the Open House Membership Drive. Dana West YC was established in 1978 and is located on the island in Dana Point Harbor. The facility recently underwent major renovations, includ- ing a completely rebuilt kitchen that serves lunch and dinner, Thursday through Monday. The bar has views of the marina and ocean sunsets and boasts several large-screen TVs for watching sporting events. The club-
house includes a double-facing floor- to-ceiling fireplace, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere all year long. The club also provides Wi-Fi and high- speed Internet access for members and guests. In addition to hosting and partici- pating in many social events, Dana West YC offers an array of subgroups within the club, including business networking, sport fishing, racing, jun- ior sailing and a women’s circle. For more information visit
dwyc.org, or contact Ed Sicard at
vicecommodore@dwyc.org or 858-353- 2843. The club is located at 24601 Dana Drive in Dana Point, CA 92629; the club can also be reached at 949-661-1185.
LOG ABROAD
The Logloves adventure! Bring us along on your next getaway and snap a photo for Log Aboard! See page 4 for details.
Martha McIntosh photo
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