Hurricane Preparedness Tips

AS HURRICANE SEASON KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, HERE ARE SOME BASIC WAYS YOU CAN PREPARE FOR A STORM:

1. HAVE A PLAN WITH LOTS OF BACKUP EQUIPMENT. Are you shooting for a safe spot in a “hurricane hole” somewhere? Will you leave your boat in the marina or on a mooring? Have her hauled out? Make sure you’ve got enough extra lines, fenders, anchors, swivels, shackles, and chafing gear to deal with every contingency you can envision. Keep all the stuff in one place, either onboard your boat or at home. Insurance companies often require you to file a hurricane plan.

2. IF A HURRICANE IS FORECAST FOR YOUR AREA, AFTER DOUBLING THE MOORING LINES

(or perhaps even tripling them) on your boat, remove all canvas, as well as all electronics, outboard fuel in portable tanks, your dinghy, barbecue grill, personal paperwork, etc. Also remove antennas, or at least fold them down. 3. HAULOUTS CAN GET COMPLICATED. Don’t wait until the last minute to have your boat removed from her element and stowed ashore, if that’s what you plan on doing. Communicate well in advance with your marina manager or dockmaster. Some insurance companies pay all or some of the fee for hurricane-related haulouts.

4. NEVER (NEVER, EVER, EVER) TRY TO “RIDE OUT” A HURRICANE ONBOARD YOUR BOAT.

Wherever she may be. The chaos that prevails during a big storm is simply unimaginable. Once you’ve mistakenly committed to a bad situation, there most decidedly is a point of no return.

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