| Prepare your boat for hurricane season: | | | | have time to take it out. You can still take |
| With hurricane season upon us, you want to be | | | | measures to make the boat as safe as possible. |
| prepared and know what to do with your boat. | | | | If your boat is docked, make sure it is at a |
| Modern technology allows us to be warned of an | | | | strong dock with sturdy pilings. Double up on |
| approaching hurricane, so we can get ourselves to | | | | mooring lines as you tie it to the dock. Be sure to |
| safety. However, it is slightly more work to get | | | | provide enough slack to compensate for rising |
| your boat out of harms way. The most important | | | | tide waters. Cover the lines with a garden hose |
| thing to remember is not to ever stay with your | | | | cut lengthwise. Put these pieces of hose where |
| boat during a hurricane. You will not be able to do | | | | the lines will need protection from wearing away |
| anything to help, and will only put yourself in | | | | as they are rubbed against the dock. Put extra |
| danger. The hurricane is much stronger than you | | | | bumpers and fenders along the boat. |
| are. | | | | If your boat is anchored in a harbor make sure |
| Before the storm: | | | | that the bottom of your boat will hold strong to |
| There are precautionary measures that should be | | | | the anchor. Anchoring your boat allows for it to |
| taken now, in the event that a storm hits. Make | | | | move around a little more than at the dock. |
| sure the insurance on your boat covers hurricane | | | | There is less chance of damage because there |
| damage. Check with your marina on their policy | | | | are no docks or boats to bump into. Be sure to |
| for handling hurricanes. Some marinas may make | | | | use heavier anchors than usual and using more |
| you take your boat out of the water. Find a safe | | | | than one is better. |
| place on dry land ahead of time, preferably a | | | | The best place for your boat if it must be in the |
| garage or barn. Decide the best routes to take in | | | | water is a hurricane hole. These are deep inlets or |
| the event of an evacuation. Take inventory of | | | | coves that are surrounded by tall, strong trees |
| the items on your boat, and make a list of what | | | | and tend to be more protected from strong |
| should be removed. This will make it much easier | | | | winds and rising tides. Tie your boat to the |
| when the time comes. | | | | surrounding trees for anchor lines. It is a good |
| A storm is approaching: | | | | idea to look for these hurricane holes, and know |
| The best thing to do is to take action as soon as | | | | where they are before a hurricane hits. |
| you are warned of an approaching hurricane. Do | | | | Whether you keep your boat in the water, or |
| not wait until the storm has hit, and you are | | | | take on dry land; make sure to take off |
| fighting strong winds to get to your boat. | | | | everything that can be ripped off in strong winds. |
| If your boat is easily trailerable your best bet is to | | | | This would include canvas, seat cushions, rods, |
| take it out of the water to be on the safe side. | | | | radios, documents and anything else that is not |
| You should take it far away from the danger of | | | | securely bolted down. |
| rising water. The safest thing for your boat is to | | | | You are out on your boat during a storm: |
| put it in a covered garage. | | | | Worst case scenario: you decide to go out on |
| However, everyone does not have access these | | | | your boat because you think the storm you |
| facilities. If your only option is keeping the boat | | | | heard about on the news this morning won't hit. |
| outside, secure it by tying it to strong trees. The | | | | Not a great idea. If there are reports of an |
| heavier it is, the less likely it is to be carried by a | | | | approaching storm, always take extra precautions. |
| strong wind. To add weight to your outboard | | | | Check the weather reports and forecasts on |
| motor boat, fill it with freshwater and leave the | | | | your radio continuously. If you hear static on your |
| drain plug in. If it is an inboard motor you cannot | | | | AM radio, there may be a thunderstorm nearby. |
| fill it with water because it would damage the | | | | Keep your eyes alert to any change in the |
| engine. To support the extra weight, put wood | | | | weather, such as darkening clouds. |
| blocks between the trailer and the springs. | | | | If you do get caught in a thunderstorm make |
| Keeping your boat in the water: | | | | sure that everyone puts on a personal flotation |
| Sometimes you have no other option but to | | | | device immediately. The best place to be is below |
| leave your boat in the water. Perhaps you didn't | | | | deck, and away from metal objects. |