With the recent passing of Hurricane Ian, there is no doubt that bad tropical storms can cause massive amounts of damage. Here are some helpful tips on how to protect your boat during storms. Remember, prevention is the best medicine as they say, so a little advanced planning can make all the difference.
Have a plan
Hurricane season happens annually from the beginning of June until the end of November. That’s a wide window of time to work with but that also gives ample time to prepare. In addition to your evacuation plan, be sure you have a plan to protect your boat during a storm as well. Keep in mind things like where you will store your boat when a hurricane threat is issued, what items you will remove for safekeeping, and, if you’re keeping your boat in the water, how you will moor it safely to minimize damage. It is also good to have copies of all important documents, like your boat registration, insurance policy, marina contract, and anything else that you might need to access later.
Remove valuables, loose items, and soft goods from your boat
If there is a threat of a hurricane or bad tropical storm approaching, it is wise to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. One quick step that will save you time, effort, and money should the unthinkable happen is to remove any valuables, loose items, and soft goods from your boat. This quick and easy ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be sure to dry them out and store them in a secure place to wait out the storm.
Use chafe protectors for lines
Should you decide to keep your boat in the water, be sure to use chafe protectors over your lines. This will not only prevent chaffing but will give you the added piece of mind that you’ll need while the storm is hitting. Also be sure that your pilings are secured, well in advance of any storm warning.
Anchor your boat with a storm anchor
Anchoring for a storm is a bit of an art form. Be sure to give yourself the open water and room you’ll need for your boat to swing. Additionally, invest in a storm anchor. It might be helpful to anchor in tandem with a second for additional swing and support. Here is a success story by BoatUS of a catamaran that rode out three hurricanes this way. Anchoring to ride out a storm is possible, you just have to know how to do it!
Have your repair and maintenance products ready
As always, having your repair and maintenance products ready and on standby following any major storm is key to bouncing back from any storm. Check out our line of marine-grade sealants, epoxies, waxes, cleaners, and more at www.boatlife.com. For more care and maintenance tips, check out our blog on our website.
