Guide To Preparing Boats & Marinas For Hurricanes

Learn how to protect your boat and marina from hurricanes with our comprehensive guide. Secure your vessel with expert tips and checklists.

Hurricanes pose a significant threat to boats and marinas, with the potential to cause extensive damage through high winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall. For boat owners and marina operators, preparation is critical to minimizing risks and protecting valuable assets. This guide provides a detailed, actionable plan to safeguard boats and marinas during hurricane season, covering strategies for both trailerable and non-trailerable boats, marina berth preparations, and essential checklists. Whether your vessel is stored on land or in the water, these expert recommendations will help you navigate the challenges of severe weather.

Understanding the Hurricane Threat

Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms with sustained winds of at least 74 mph, capable of generating storm surges, flooding, and destructive winds. For boat owners, the risks include:

• Storm Surge: Elevated water levels that can lift boats off moorings or flood dry storage areas.
• High Winds: Can tear sails, damage rigging, or cause boats to collide with docks or other vessels.
• Heavy Rainfall: May overwhelm bilge pumps, leading to flooding or sinking.

Preparation begins with understanding your local environment, including typical storm patterns, tidal ranges, and marina vulnerabilities. A tailored plan, specific to your boat type and location, is essential for effective hurricane readiness.

Developing a Hurricane Preparedness Plan

A well-crafted hurricane preparedness plan is the cornerstone of protecting your boat. Here’s how to create one:

1. Assess Your Boat and Environment:
   • Boat Type: Trailerable boats can be moved inland, while larger vessels may need to remain in the water or be hauled out.
   • Local Conditions: Research historical storm data for your region to anticipate wind speeds, storm surges, and flooding risks.
   • Marina or Storage Agreements: Review your lease or rental agreement to understand your responsibilities and liabilities. Some marinas may require specific actions during a storm.
2. Create a Written Plan:
   • Document step-by-step procedures for securing your boat, whether on land or in the water.
   • Include contact information for your marina, harbor master, Coast Guard, and insurance provider.
   • Practice your plan to ensure it’s feasible and identify any gaps.
3. Consolidate Records:
   • Keep copies of insurance policies, boat registration, and recent photos of your vessel.
   • Record the Hull Identification Number (HIN) for identification post-storm.
   • Label valuable items like life jackets, paddleboards, and kayaks with your contact information for recovery purposes.
4. Stay Informed:
   • Monitor weather forecasts through reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center (NHC) or BoatUS.com/Hurricanes.
   • Follow local Emergency Management office directives for evacuation or boat-specific instructions.

Preparing Trailerable Boats

Trailerable boats offer the advantage of mobility, allowing owners to move them to safer locations. Follow these steps to secure your trailerable boat:

Step 1: Verify Towing Capability

• Ensure your tow vehicle has the capacity to move the boat and trailer safely.
• Inspect the trailer for:
  • Tire condition and pressure
  • Bearing functionality
  • Axle integrity
  • Brake system (if applicable)

Step 2: Move to a Safe Location

• Relocate the boat to an inland area, ideally on high ground, away from flood-prone zones.
• Obtain permission from property owners if storing the boat on private land.
• Avoid trees or other objects that could fall during high winds.

Step 3: Secure the Boat and Trailer

• Place blocks between the trailer frame and axle inside each wheel to prevent movement.
• Use heavy nylon lines to tie the boat and trailer to fixed objects, such as ground anchors or concrete structures.
• If possible, secure the boat from all four sides to minimize shifting.
• Use screw anchors for additional stability in soft ground, but avoid tying to trees due to the risk of uprooting.

Step 4: Remove Loose Items

• Remove all moveable equipment, including canvas, electronics, and personal items.
• Secure items that cannot be removed, such as tillers or wheels, with strong lashings.
• Remove the drain plug to prevent water accumulation in the boat.

Preparing Non-Trailerable Boats

Larger boats that cannot be trailered require different strategies, depending on whether they are stored in dry or wet conditions.

Dry Storage

• Avoid Davits or Hydro-Lifts: These are vulnerable to storm surges and high winds. Always haul the boat out and store it on land.
• Secure on Land: Follow the same securing techniques as for trailerable boats, using blocks and heavy lines to anchor the boat to fixed objects.
• Elevate if Possible: Store the boat on high ground to avoid storm surge flooding.

Wet Storage

For boats remaining in the water, the goal is to minimize movement and protect against collisions and surge damage.

Marina Berth Preparation

• Double All Lines: Use high-quality, double-braided nylon lines for strength and elasticity. Double up on all dock lines to ensure redundancy.
• Rig Spring Lines: Attach crossing spring lines fore and aft to keep the boat centered in the slip.
• Position Lines High: Secure lines high on pilings to accommodate tidal surges. Ensure lines won’t slip off during rising water levels.
• Inspect Pilings and Cleats: Choose sturdy, tall pilings and ensure cleats have robust backing plates and stainless steel bolts.
• Add Chafe Protection: Use chafe guards (e.g., fire hose or heavy fabric) at points where lines contact rough surfaces.
• Install Fenders: Place fenders strategically to protect the hull from rubbing against docks, pilings, or other boats.

Mooring Preparation

• Supplement Moorings: Add extra anchors to create a multi-point anchorage system, especially in crowded mooring fields.
• Three-Point Anchorage: For boats in open areas, a three-point system (e.g., bow and two stern anchors) can stabilize the boat against tidal surges.
• Single-Point Mooring: In less congested areas, reinforce the primary mooring with additional chain or anchors to allow the boat to swing safely.

Electrical and Mechanical Preparations

• Turn Off Electrical Systems: Disconnect shore power and turn off all devices except automatic bilge pumps.
• Ensure Battery Power: Fully charge batteries and consider backup batteries to power bilge pumps during extended storms.
• Remove Portable Fuel: Take fuel cans off the boat to reduce fire risks.
• Secure Hatches and Ports: Lock all hatches and portholes, sealing any leaks with marine-grade sealant.

Reducing Windage and Damage

Windage—the surface area exposed to wind—can significantly increase damage during a hurricane. Take these steps to minimize wind-related risks:

• Remove Sails and Canvas: Take off sails, biminis, dodgers, and bridge enclosures to reduce wind resistance.
• Secure Fixed Components: Lash down booms, tillers, and wheels to prevent movement.
• Remove Dinghies and Loose Gear: Store dinghies and other loose items ashore to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
• Check Scuppers and Drains: Ensure deck drains and scuppers are clear to prevent water accumulation.

Marina and Community Preparedness

Marina operators and boat clubs play a critical role in hurricane preparedness. Here’s how they can protect facilities and vessels:

• Develop a Marina Hurricane Plan:
  • Outline procedures for securing boats, docks, and facilities.
  • Communicate expectations to boat owners, including timelines for action.
• Inspect Infrastructure:
  • Check pilings, docks, and cleats for structural integrity.
  • Ensure electrical systems can be safely shut off during a storm.
• Provide Resources:
  • Offer chafe protection, extra lines, or fenders for rent or purchase.
  • Designate safe mooring areas or hurricane holes for boats that cannot be hauled out.
• Coordinate with Local Authorities:
  • Work with Emergency Management offices to align marina plans with community evacuation protocols.

Chart: Marina Hurricane Preparedness Workflow

This chart outlines the steps marina operators should take when a hurricane is forecast, ensuring a systematic approach to preparation and recovery.

Essential Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

This checklist can be printed and used to track preparation progress, ensuring no critical steps are missed.

Post-Storm Actions

After the storm passes, take these steps to assess and address any damage:

1. Inspect the Boat:
   • Check for structural damage, water intrusion, or missing items.
   • Document damage with photos for insurance claims.
2. Contact Your Insurance Provider:
   • Report damage promptly and provide documentation.
   • Follow your insurer’s claims process for repairs or reimbursement.
3. Clean and Repair:
   • Remove any water or debris from the boat.
   • Repair or replace damaged equipment before returning to use.
4. Review Your Plan:
   • Evaluate what worked and what didn’t during the storm.
   • Update your preparedness plan based on lessons learned.

Resources and Tools

• BoatUS.com/Hurricanes: Offers free downloadable guides, videos, and storm-tracking tools.
• U.S. Coast Guard (www.uscgboating.org): Provides boating safety information and regulations.
• National Hurricane Center: Offers real-time storm tracking and forecasts.
• BoatUS Hurricane Planning Worksheet: A one-page tool to customize your preparedness plan.
• BoatUS Magazine Hurricane Preparations Guide: Detailed tips for boat owners and marina operators.

Table: Recommended Equipment for Hurricane Preparedness

Note: Prices are approximate and vary by region and supplier.

Why Preparation Matters

The 2017 Hurricane Irma, which devastated parts of Florida and the Caribbean, demonstrated the importance of hurricane preparedness. Boats that were properly secured or hauled out sustained significantly less damage than unprepared vessels. By investing time and resources in a comprehensive plan, boat owners can protect their investments and ensure safety during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

Conclusion

Preparing boats and marinas for hurricanes requires proactive planning, timely action, and attention to detail. By developing a tailored plan, securing your vessel, and leveraging resources like BoatUS and the U.S. Coast Guard, you can minimize risks and protect your boat from severe weather. Whether you haul your boat out, secure it in a marina, or move it to a safer mooring, these strategies will help you weather the storm with confidence. Start preparing today to ensure your boat is ready for whatever hurricane season brings.

Happy Boating!

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