I keep my boat in Rockland during much of hurricane season. The majority of hurricanes or major storms pass seaward of us, meaning we get winds from NE through NW. We get far more 'scares' than actual storms, and it becomes almost impractical to scurry great distances every time there's a scare. That said, if a real one hits I don't want to be caught short. Southern Harbor on North Haven is nearby and very convenient to Rockland. It has good holding in mud, plenty of room, and a nice depth (10 to 15 feet) enabling lots of scope. It is totally protected from all northern sectors, as well as East and West. It is, however, exposed to the SW with a narrow but direct look at the open ocean.

When I anchored there for a hurricane scare last August I wondered if I was making a mistake, insofar as looking at that open slot to the ocean. My hunch is I am OK, hurricanes blow through quickly and at worst I might get some slop rolling in but nothing that is going to be of danger. I'd be interested though if others have differing views.

As an aside, you never know how 'life' might get in the way of taking care of your boat in a hurricane. Last year I was selected for jury duty for a trial taking place the last week of August. In the back of my mind I was thinking 'I sure hope a hurricane doesn't come through then.' Needless to say, one did, and it became hugely stressful (on top of what was already a very difficult and complicated trial). We tried to find someone to accompany my wife taking care of the boat without success, so our choices almost came down to: run out of jury duty and become a criminal yourself; have my wife take care of the boat on her own; or let the boat fend for itself in a shaky anchorage. Fortunately we came to a verdict in the nick of time for me to get the boat to Southern Harbor... whereupon the storm fizzled out overnight.

I'd be interested in any opinions on the above.
Thanks,
Max