How to Keep Your Boat Protected During Hurricane Season

How to Keep Your Boat Protected During Hurricane Season

Does hurricane season affect your area? If so, you need to start paying special attention to your boat and the steps you can take to keep it safe before the stormy weather arrives. Whether you’re the owner of a large boat or a small one, you’ll be able to make it look as though there was no hurricane there in the first place. Here are a few tips you should consider applying to get the best results.

Preparing a Bigger Boat

If your boat is big enough to anchor, you’ll need to complete several, important steps to ensure that both the removable and the stationary parts are safeguarded from the approaching hurricane.

1. First, you should take out the boat’s battery, so there’s no electricity present.
2. After that, you’ll want to gather all of the boat’s removable parts and store them away somewhere out of the path of hurricane destruction. That way, you’ll be able to keep the removable parts from getting lost or destroyed.
3. Next, you can work toward securing your boat’s stationary parts. The tillers, wheels, and booms are all prime examples. You can tie them to the boat with some sturdy rope. At this point, you’ll need to place a protective covering over the parts, to prevent the rope from rubbing against the boat. Without it, chafing may occur.
4. Once all of these steps have been successfully carried out, the fuel lines need to be turned off for the impending storm.
5. Plywood should be placed over doors and windows, as well as hatches. It’ll keep them from getting torn off by the winds or getting damaged in any way.
6. Additionally, two or more anchors should be used to keep the boat in place effectively. Also, you’ll want to remember to position the boat in a way that leaves the bow portion facing the storm.
7. Finally, the engine room vents need to be concealed, and the exhaust pipes of the stern should be blocked. The latter will serve to keep the motor from getting flooded.

What to Do with a Small Boat

If you own a small boat, it’ll be easier to offer protection. This is because there are fewer steps required for it. First, you’ll want to bring it as far away from any source of water as you can. Then, you can go ahead and attach the boat to a trailer. Blocks should then be placed next to the wheels. It’ll ensure that the boat is firmly set in place and won’t be able to roll away. This step is extremely important because of the huge, rapid winds that’ll inevitably be brought on by the storm.

A hurricane can cause a lot of problems, especially if your boat isn’t prepared for it ahead of time. By taking the necessary precautions beforehand, you’ll be able to keep your boat in good shape. This will save you a lot of time and money since you won’t have to go out of your way to purchase a new one. Sometimes, a little work truly pays off in the long run.

About the Author

gomarine