Make preparations for your boat early!

Tying Down Your Boat at Home

If you can, put the boat in a garage.

If you must leave the boat outside, remove outboard motors.

Lash down the boat.

Fill the boat one-third to half-way with water (filling all the way could

break the trailer springs or axle.).

Support the axle with blocks inside each wheel. Remove any item thatcould blow off the boat.

Place the boat away from trees or objects that could fall on it.

Tying Down Your Boat at a Marina or Dock

Double all ties. All lines used for the storm should be at least one size larger than the normal lines.

Make ties high on pilings to allow for rising water.

Cover all tie lines at contact points with rubber or other material to prevent chafing.

Install fenders to protect the boat from rubbing against the dock.

Be sure batteries are sufficient to run bilge pumps throughout the storm.

Put duct tape on windows and hatches.

Insert plugs in engine ports.

Strip Bimini tops, sails, life rings—anything that could blow away.

Disconnect shore power.

Close fuel valves and cockpit seacocks.

Finding Safe Harbor

If the boat cannot be removed from the water, it should be sailed to a safe refuge and secured there to ride out the storm.

Many marinas must be evacuated during a hurricane alert. Check your dockage lease and consult the dockmaster.

Canals leading inland offer varying degrees of protection for boats. Some east-west waterways are blocked at some point by floodgates, limiting their usefulness.

Consult the dockmaster and fellow boaters for suggestions.

Drawbridges limit movement of large vessels, and ground traffic will get priority in an evacuation. Boat owners should act ahead of an evacuation order.

If you decide to move your boat inland make a test run to ensure that the water is deep enough andoverhead clearances are high enough.