JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Boaters weren't too worried about windy conditions expected in the area, but still made sure their boats were secure.

As the day came to a close at the Mandarin Holiday Marina on Julington Creek and the winds were picking up, Stin Lenkerd was among several making sure their boats were tied down tight as winds are expected in the 30-35 mile per hour range here.

"Just stopping by to give it a look," said Lenkerd. " I think the weather last week was worse than it's going to be the coming week."

Kurt Ohler has lived on his boat Tayana at this marina for five years.

"We had a lot of people down here checking their lines, putting rope lines on their canvas and stuff like that, tighten down, make sure everything is good."

Shepherd Boggs and friends pulled into the marina near dusk after enjoying a day sailing on his boat "Cirrhosis of the River." Boggs was grateful the far away storm made for good day on the water.

"It was a beautiful day, 25 knot winds, nice overcast day, it was nice out there. It's nice when the storms come close but don't come all the way in, for sailing that is."

These boaters remember when Tropical storm Fay four years ago left the dock 2 feet underwater and electricity was lost. They feel for their fellow boaters west of here, but consider themselves lucky.

"I do," said Boggs. "Anytime it doesn't come close to Jacksonville, that's a good thing."

"The first track showed it coming up the east coast, that would not have been good," said Lenkerd.

First Coast News