When storm season approaches, there are a few key steps to perform to ensure the brutal force of nature doesn't damage your boat. This preparation can save you from thousands of dollars in damages, let's take a look at the important ones below:
This might sound obvious, but the first step is to make sure your boat is moved out of the marina waters onto land. This is true regardless of whether you have a cruise ship or private vessel. This will involve a bit of coordination to ensure the boat is safely moved and there's a place for it to be stored inland and well protected from any strong weather. If the weather has already started taking a turn for the worse, then be sure to secure the boat well by ensuring the jack stands are near the hull and reinforced by a bulkhead to put up against any strong winds.
When planning for the move, be sure to check whether your insurance policy fully or partially covers any of the costs associated with the move. Some policies will cover up to 50% off the moving costs. Similarly, check with your Marina’s policies if your boat is located in one as some require mandatory moving of a boat prior to a storm in the event one’s approaching.
Sometimes for storm season, taking the boat on land is infeasible, and this must mean it must be moored in water. In such a case, be sure to locate the boat in an area where the waves will be less powerful such as in canals. With canals, you can also run lines from either end to secure the boat more tightly and prevent it from banging against the dock often.
In addition to secure lines, it’s important to have your boat anchored properly. Rough storms will put a lot of strain on the anchor and anchor rode, and because of this, it’s advised to use helix anchors that are securely fitted into the seabed.
Storms mean heavy winds, and this means a boat with a large surface area against any direction the wind comes from can be dangerous. Your boat should be prepped to have any furling genoas, canvas, dodgers, and biminis removed. In addition to this, any covers and mainsails should be removed. Cruise ship or private vessel medical kits are also recommended in the case of major emergencies.
