| Taking your boat out of the water. |
|
If your vessel is not too large your best bet is to take it out of the water. Although it is out of the water this doesn't mean that it's necessarily safe from all damage. It may be more susceptible to wind. A garage or a covered area is the best way to protect a boat from a storm. If your boat isn't in a garage and it's on a trailer you should first place your trailer on blocks to keep the weight off of the axles. Next, use the drain plug and partially fill the boat with water to help counterbalance the weight, providing your hull is in good condition. (If your hull's condition isn't sufficient tie down the trailer with anchor tie-downs and remove the plug.) After filling the boat with water, secure the boat with straps and ground hooks.
|
| Leaving your boat in the water. |
|
If you plan on leaving your boat in the water your boat will be moored or docked, go to a hurricane hole to anchor, or head out to sea. At the beginning of the season you should plan everything out and collect all of the information needed to keep your boat safe. |
If you have decided to dock your boat be sure to make these plans early on as it can get very expensive as they fill up with boats. Make sure all of your lines are doubled and there is no chafing where the lines are passing through fairleads and chocks. You can try covering your rope with a hose or tape to prevent the line from chafing and breaking. The first instinct is to fasten lines to the bottom of the pilings, however as water rises you'll want your lines to have enough room to move without breaking.
|
B.I.Q. recommends boat owners check their moorings regularly
and you're sure it' safe to hold your boat, it may have a good chance of surviving
a storm. Here are the most important steps to protecting your boat: Remove
all of your excess gear Shut off the fuel tanks Clear your self-bailing cockpit
drains Leave the anchor light on Use chafing gear to prevent line breaks Leave
your auto-bilge pump on
You should take down any object that adds to the surface area of the boat, such as pennants or sales. Minimizing wind contact is a big step to saving your boat. Because there is a chance of your boat breaking loose and hitting another boat, all protruding objects should be removed from the boat. |
A hurricane hole is a deep narrow cove or inlet which is surrounded by large trees that can block wind and at the same time allow the boat to be tied to. Boat owners should search for a hurricane hole ahead of time, as they can become crowded with boats seeking refuge.
|
