How to Prepare Your Boat for Bad Weather

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Move your vessel into a mooring field or "hurricane hole" if one is near your marina and set the anchor.

   This will help prevent damage from docks, pilings and other boats. , For example, if you usually use 2 docking lines for your boat, you will want to use at least 4 to secure it to the dock pilings.
   
   Use longer dock lines to account for rising tides and storm surges. ,,,,, Some of these include exhaust holes and sea cocks. ,,
2. 2

   Step 2: Double all your lines and secure them to the sturdiest and highest pilings.

3. 3

   Step 3: Use chafe guards on the lines where they might rub against the boat and dock.

4. 4

   Step 4: Install fenders on the boat to minimize chafing the sides of the boat against the lines or docks.

5. 5

   Step 5: Remove items from the boat deck that can become debris during the storm.

6. 6

   Step 6: Tether any items that cannot be removed and ensure any weight on the deck is distributed evenly.

7. 7

   Step 7: Remove all cowlings and seal all openings on your boat.

8. 8

   Step 8: Charge all batteries and install backups to run bilge pumps during the storm.

9. 9

   Step 9: Leave the boat and take shelter.

Detailed Guide

About the Author