How To Prepare Your Boat For A Hurricane

Marinas have different rules about what boat owners must do incase there's an approaching hurricane. States are beginning to pass laws requiring boat owners to prepare their boats ever since Katrina and Wilma. So how can boatowners protect their boats and themselves during a hurricane?

Most experts agree with these two basic rules that offer the most advice. The first thing you need to do is plan ahead. Check with your state for additional regulations and check your contract with your marina to see what they require. Your boat insurance company may have regulations affecting your coverage and you need to check these as well. To determine the amount of time needed to move or prepare your boat, conduct a dry run during the off-season.

Don't try to ride out a hurricane in your boat because it's not safe. Even though others say being on a boat in open water is safer than being on land during a hurricane, the facts don't bear it out. Carrying boats far inland or even sink them are hurricane winds and tides. Don't risk your life for your boat.

The best way to prevent damage is moving your boat. To do this, you need to arrange for inland storage space well ahead of time. To facilitate evacuation of people from low-lying areas, many drawbridges are locked down before a hurricane and this is something many boat owners don't know. Moving your boat as soon as a hurricane watch is issued became even more important.

To move the maximum number of boats in the shortest time, some areas have flotilla plans in place. Flotilla information will be issued in advance of a hurricane by your local emergency management office. If joining a flotilla is what you're planning to do, then you need to properly fuel and maintain your boat.

If it's not possible to move your boat, then you can do some simple things in order to minimize damage. Portable items like dinghies, sun shades, antennas, etc. should be removed from your boat because they may cause damage when blown around. The remaining items should be lashed down. Items like ropes may be in short supplies before a storm so obtain them well in advance.