Hurricane season is one of the most stressful times of the year for boat owners. From June to November, hurricane threats are eminent in the South Carolina and other coastal communities. High winds, storm surges, rising tides and sea level are incredibly dangerous. Generally, you have a 12-24 hour warning before a hurricane will hit, so it’s crucial that you plan ahead to avoid any issues when the time comes.
⦿ Figure out where you’re planning on keeping your boat whether it’s a dry stack, dock, trailer, etc. Boats kept on land tend to fare better than ones kept in the water. Remember to always coordinate with your marina ahead of the storm.
⦿ If you keep your boat in the water, face the bow towards the anticipated winds and anchor the boat. Use at least two anchors and 10 times the amount of line as the water depth. Lines that are too short or too old normally break. Use polyester covers that wrap around the lines to prevent chafe. If you are going to tie up to the pilings, ensure they are taller than the anticipated storm surge.
⦿ If you keep your boat on land, trailer it as far inland as possible. You can pay to put it inside of a warehouse or put it up against a strong building to break up the high winds. Place blocks on both sides of the wheels and securely tie the boat to the trailer. For bigger vessels, you can deflate the tires to prevent it from rolling or consider pumping water into the bilge to hold the vessel down if necessary.
⦿ Remove any detachable items such as cushions, canvases, electronics, sails and any other equipment that you can. If something cannot be removed, tie it down.
⦿ Seal off the doors, windows and hatches to prevent any water damage. Cover your engine room vents and plug up the stern’s exhaust pipes to prevent your motor from flooding.
⦿ Turn off the boat’s electrical system, remove the battery and shut off the fuel lines.
⦿ Avoid shortages by stocking up on supplies ahead of the alert like flashlights, food, first aid, water, cash and anything to prepare for a power outage.
⦿ Have your paperwork in order – boat registration, insurance policies, updated photos, emergency contacts and equipment inventory in case of a hurricane occurrence.
We’re in prime hurricane season in Charleston, so you can never be too careful! With Hurricane Dorian just passing, we were quick to help our customers move and store their boats to minimize the probable damages unlike so many others who’s boats were crushed by fallen trees or wrecked by harsh tides. With many more potential hurricanes looming in the Atlantic, avoid the last minute panic by following the rules above for the rest of the fall season!
