Boat Hurricane Preparation: How to Prepare your Boat

If you don’t have yet a boat hurricane plan, don’t panic, boat hurricane preparation during this season is essential. There are several practical tips on how to prepare your boat for hurricane and be safe while preparing for severe weather. Here is a hurricane preparedness list with tips from experts to help you work on your boat hurricane plan:

1. Know Your Coverage

Understand your insurance policy and your marina contract so you know how to prepare your boat. According to West Marine, your policy may pay at up to 50 percent of the cost of hauling or moving your boat prior to a hurricane. Some marinas require that you haul your boat in advance of a storm to protect your boat and the marina.

2. Prepare Boat for Hurricane

Store your boat ashore on high ground. A study by MIT after Hurricane Gloria found that boats stored ashore were far more likely to have survived unscathed than boats stored in the water. As stated at Boat US, Some boats are especially vulnerable, especially small open boats with low freeboard that are likely to be swamped by heavy rains.

3. If Needed, Moor Wisely

If moor ends up being part of boat hurricane plan, try to locate it in an area with the least amount of fetch, where waves have the least distance to build up. Canals are ideal, because lines can be run from both sides so the boat does not pound against the dock. Remember that the wind will veer around as the storm goes by, so be sure your boat is protected from a wide range of wind angles. "Hurricane holes" provide protection since they are completely enclosed.

4. Secure Your Boat on a Trailer

It is really important to learn how to secure a boat on a trailer during hurricane season, move boats on trailers close to your house. Weigh them down. Lash securely to trailer and use tie-downs to anchor trailer to ground or house. Let air out of trailer tires.

5. Anchor Your Boat in a Protected Harbor

The bottom should allow a good anchor hold. An advantage to anchoring is that the boat can more easily respond to wind and water changes without striking docks or other boats than when moored. Heavy and extra anchors are needed for this option and enough line should be on hand to allow a scope of at least 10:1 for each anchor.

5. Stay Alert

Get the latest local information on your state and go through your hurricane preparation list while tracking upcoming hurricanes.