Sun Sentinel

Make plans early to harbor boat

South Florida Sun-Sentinel


There are lots of ways to protect your boat from a hurricane. Advice varies greatly, depending on the size of your vessel, availability of dock space, marina rules and local laws. That makes planning now for a hurricane all the more essential.

Two cardinal rules

1. Whatever preparations you are going to make, make them early. Get started now. Make a trial run.

2. Do not attempt, under any circumstances, to ride out a storm in a boat. No boat is worth your life. Hurricane winds, whether inland or near the beach, can lift a boat out of the water or sink it -- even if it is secured in a marina.

General tips

  • Read your insurance policy carefully to determine whether your boat is sufficiently protected from hurricane damage.

  • Find someone to take care of your boat if you cannot.

  • Keep a list of boat registration numbers.

  • Obtain in advance the rope and other materials needed to secure your boat.

  • Make sure fire extinguishers and lifesaving equipment are working and in good shape.

  • Remember that when a storm threatens, you will want to remove or secure all deck gear, radio antennas, outriggers, Bimini tops, side canvases, side curtains, rafts, sails, booms, dinghies and all other objects that could blow away or cause damage.

    Dry docking/marinas

    Shop around and arrange for dry-dock space early. If you plan to keep your boat at a marina, know the marina's rules by checkinging your dockage lease or consulting the dockmaster. Many marinas must be evacuated during a hurricane alert.

    Move inland, by water

    Arrange now for dock space. You must have the permission of the property owner in advance. Make a trial run to ensure the water is deep enough and overhead clearances are high enough. Take into account the higher water levels that can precede a storm. Keep in mind that cars will take priority, so drawbridges may be locked down for long periods of time.

    Move inland, by trailer

    Make a trial run. Know how long it will take to get from the water to your destination.

    Leaving the area

    Consider the time required to go to the new destination and whether your route will cross the storm's path. Be prepared to deal with the difficulties of driving with a trailer in a stiff wind, particularly on causeways.

    Garages, tying down

    If your boat is small enough, consider keeping it in your garage. If you must, tie down your boat and trailer outside.

    Start moving during a hurricane watch

    When the "hurricane watch" flags are flying, it's time to employ the plan for your boat that you worked out before the storm.

    The rush starts when actual hurricane warnings are issued. In some areas, that's when flotilla plans, designed to move the largest number of boats in the shortest period of time, are invoked to coordinate the opening and closing of drawbridges with boat traffic.

    If you're going to join a flotilla or head inland, make sure your ship is in shape to move by checking the fuel, fuel filters, batteries and bilges.

    Emergency authorities will announce over radio and TV when the flotilla plan will be invoked. Within a few hours, drawbridges will be locked in the down position.

    However, no rule says you can't get started ahead of that time.