Protect your boat from hurricanes and major storms

These days, you never know when a storm will hit or how big or strong it will be. That’s why it’s wise to have a plan in place at the beginning of the boating season, so you can feel confident that your boat will be safe and secure – and you won’t have to scramble last minute – if a storm warning or watch is issued.

First, you’ll need to answer a few questions before you can develop your plan:

• Who will be responsible for preparing the vessel? (owner, caretaker, marina or boatyard staff)
• When should preparations begin?
• Where will the boat be relocated to?
• Who are your emergency contacts?

Your best option is to haul your boat out of the water in advance of a major storm, tropical storm, or hurricane. With a plan in place, you should be able to cut down on the amount of coordination and time this will take.

• Start relocating the boat as soon as you can. It is extremely difficult to move a vessel, strip sails, derig, and anchor in 35mph winds – and nearly impossible in 45mph winds.
• Store the boat as far inland if possible.
• While it’s best to store your boat indoors, if it’s kept outdoors, keep the boat away from trees, limbs and other structures and securely anchor the trailer to a fixed object or the ground.
• If the boat will be stored on the hard ground at a marina or boatyard, check with the facility to find out:
  
  • What is your responsibility and what will staff handle.
  • If the boat is to be kept in an outdoor dry stack: Vessels located at the top should be removed and blocked on the ground; remaining boats on lower tiers should be lashed to the racks.
  • If the boat will be kept on the hard ground, the boat should be placed on blocks, jack stands, or a cradle. Also make sure the boat is anchored or strapped to ground.

Many insurance carriers offer some precautionary measures reimbursement to help you move your vessel to safety.

Read the language and pay close attention to things like:

• What’s covered and when is coverage triggered. 
• Whether there’s first-dollar reimbursement or if a deductible will apply.
• Whether a watch or warning must be issued for the vessel’s location for coverage to apply.

• Double all lines and make sure they are in good condition. Replace old ones as needed.
• Rig crossing spring lines fore and aft and attach them high on the pilings – this allows for increased tidal rise or storm surge (“spider-webbing”).
• Add chafing protection to lines at connection points.
• Add fenders all around vessel to prevent rubbing against dock, pilings, or other vessels.
• Make sure scuppers and drains are clear of debris that could prevent water exiting the vessel.
• Ensure batteries are charged and bilge pumps operational.
• Shut off any other electrical devices and disconnect shore power.

When readying your boat for a storm, expect that there may be storm surges or significant tide changes – and keep those in mind as you prepare your boat. For instance, an extreme low tide could allow a vessel to drop below the dock and become pinned and submerged when water rises again.

Storm surges can also be so significant that vessels that have been hauled ashore could be lifted off their blocks and float into another vessel, object, or even a house if not properly anchored to ground. 

Before you leave you boat for the duration of the storm, consider attending to these smaller items:

• Remove personal items, valuables, portable electronics, and cushions from the vessel.
• Lower or remove antennas, outriggers, and secure other loose items.
• Remove canvas, curtains, and biminis – even if the storm doesn’t damage your boat, the canvas could be destroyed by wind or flying debris.
• Secure and lock all hatches and tape window seams and cabinets.
• Inventory the items on your boat and those you remove.
• Take photos or video of vessel before storm and document your storm preparations.
• Keep important documents handy including your insurance policy.

As always, if your boat sustains damage in a storm, report the claim as soon as safely possible. Mitigating damage as soon as possible can help prevent additional loss.