Today’s title refers not to a Japanese karaoke version of the 80’s hit by Dexy’s Midnight Runners but to the hurricane of that name which is currently heading straight for me. This morning it was about 600 miles to the east of me and heading ENE and given that hurricanes often veer to the north in these waters I decided to alter course to the south-east.
However I have now heard that it may decide to head south as well, and is moving at 20 knots, so could be upon me within a couple of days. All the books on surviving hurricanes say that it is best to be on their left-hand side, but since I can’t yet tell which way it’s going I can’t decide which way to run. My theory is that with high pressure to the south it will go north, but it could go either way.
I’m able to receive weather forecasts by radio and email so am keeping abreast of the situation, and have started to prepare the boat for some rough stuff. This morning I packed away all the loose objects inside which could be a menace if they were flying about the place, and this afternoon I’ll go round on deck and tighten up all the rigging.
If tomorrow it still looks likely that I’m going to get some strong winds I’ll take down the big genoa and replace it with the working jib, then get the storm jib ready to hoist on the inner forestay. If things get really bad the advice in my favoured book on the subject is to take down all sails and batten down the hatches, leaving the boat to its own devices. This would be uncomfortable as Odyssey would be thrown around like a cork but she’s a big strong boat and should hopefully ride it out.
This sounds like excellent advice to me, and I’m preparing the little crew cabin as my refuge. It’s closest to the centre of the boat so moves about the least, and I can fill it with all the bedding and pillows and stuff so no matter which way I get thrown at least I’ll get a soft landing.
Needless to say it’s a little nerve-wracking but it’s the price I pay for being so late in leaving Florida. I had meant to get away at least six weeks ago and would now be clear of the hurricane zone, but at least I’m not where I was a week ago as that’s right where Irene is now!
This afternoon the wind is a pleasant SW4 and I’m making good progress to the SE, and will now check the latest forecast and see what’s going on. All exciting stuff, but I really don’t want to experience the eye of a hurricane first-hand so will do my best to avoid it, don’t you worry.