Hurricane Tips for Boaters

Tampa Bay boat owners have been lucky so far. As storms strike to the north and south of us, we have largely escaped the damaging winds and storm surge of a major hurricane.

According to Boat Owner’Äôs Association of The United States ’Äì BoatUS ’Äì¬Ý¬Ý The single most important thing boat owners can do to prepare for a hurricane is to make plans in advance. Once a storm is near, it may be too late to take advantage of these tips that come from boat owners who have survived severe storms.

If your boat can be trailered:

• Move it inland. Like your home, when a major storm threatens the best place for your boat is far inshore. Don’Äôt wait until the last minute, bridges and causeways may be closed and traffic will be heavy.

• If it will fit, put the boat in your garage instead of the car. Boats are more vulnerable to wind damage than automobiles.

• Remove as much rigging as possible to minimize wind exposure.

• Let some air out of tires and block the wheels.

• Increase the weight of the boat by leaving the drain plug in and using a garden hose to add water (unless the boat has a stern drive). Place wood blocks between the frame and springs to support the extra weight.

If it’Äôs on a storage rack:

Marina management should know how much wind the building will sustain. Boats in older racks should probably be moved; newer storage racks are more likely to hold up.

If it’Äôs in the water:

• Find a protected ’Äúhurricane hole’Äù or canal in advance and get your boat there as early as possible.

• The potential damage from storm surge is usually underestimated, but may account for major damage because it puts docks and docklines underwater while the boat tries to float above. BoatU.S. estimates that up to 50% of boats damaged at fixed docks could have been saved by using docklines that were longer, arranged more effectively and/or protected from chafing.

• Minimize wind damage by removing as much rigging, canvas and deck gear as possible, and facing the bow into the wind.

• Waterproof as much as possible. Rainfall of up to 12 inches in 24 hours is possible and few cockpit decks are truly watertight. Bilge pumps and batteries may not continue to function.

• Use tandem anchors and protect lines from chafing. If moored, check mooring chains long before a storm threatens.

• Whenever possible, boats on lifts or davits should be store ashore or moved to a safer location.

• Never stay aboard for the storm. There’Äôs little you can do to save your boat when winds exceed 100 mph and tides are running.