With today’s modern communication net to warn them, people have a better chance to reach safety before a hurricane hits their area. Even so, you may have little more than 24 hours advance notice to get your boat secured against the storm’s full force.
The best way to save your boat from destruction is to store it ashore, far from the danger of high water.
If you must move your boat, first inspect the trailer to ensure it is in proper operating condition. Check tires (including spare), wheel bearings, tow hitch and lights.
If you can, put your boat and trailer in a garage. If they must be left out, secure them to strong trees or a “deadman” anchor. Strip off everything that could be torn loose by a strong wind.
Increase the weight of your trailered outboard boat by filling it with fresh water and leaving in the drainplug (inboard boats must be drained to avoid motor damage).
Insert wood blocks between the trailer frame and the springs for extra support with the added weight.
Historically, individual hurricanes have caused the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damage as they ran their course over populated areas. If you know a hurricane is approaching your area, prepare for the worst. The important point is, get off the open water as far away from the storm as possible.
If this is impossible, keep in mind that the right front quadrant of a hurricane usually, but not always, produces the most violent weather.
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