Hurricane season 2024: What to do with your boat in Florida if a storm approaches
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 with the peak of the season on Sept. 10. The most activity happens between mid-August and mid-October, according to the National Hurricane Center.
An overheated Atlantic Ocean and a rising La Ni?a have forecasters predicting a highly active hurricane season, one that could rival one of the busiest years on record.
The key to getting through storm season is being prepared. That's why The Palm Beach Post has compiled tips, lists, contact numbers, graphics and maps that should help you prepare for a storm, and, if need be, get through it fine.
How to take care of your boat during a storm
Don’t consider staying on your boat. Make arrangements now for how you will store your boat.
Types of places in to store your boat before a hurricane, including a 'hurricane hole'
A garage or a storage building inland. Studies show boats stored ashore are more likely to survive than those in the water. Try to store boats above the anticipated storm surge level. Storing on high-rise racks is high-risk.
A “hurricane hole,” which is a small, protected body of water, such as one of the small coves naturally protected off the Intracoastal Waterway or St. Lucie River.
A well-protected marina or dock. If the marina is exposed to open bodies of water or protected only by a low sea wall, it can be vulnerable to large waves and storm surge.
Note: State law lets marinas, at the owner’s expense, remove or secure vessels left at their docks when a storm is approaching. It also helps marinas and municipalities clean up wrecked or abandoned boats.
If you are taking the boat out of the area, leave well before the storm. Once an evacuation is ordered, bridges may be locked.
Don’t anchor or tie up near a floodgate. When the gate opens to allow water out, your boat will be crushed or sunk.
Use lines on both sides. Use double bow and stern lines. Use spring lines fore and aft. Don’t tie up too close to the sea wall. Water level could rise 10 feet to 20 feet above normal.
If in a canal or waterway, run at least eight lines to the shore. Set them so the lines form an X. Wrap line several times around cleats or pilings before tying off on ground anchor. Your boat should look like a spider in a web. Use oversized lines, as large as cleats can handle, but no more than two lines per cleat to spread tension. Anchor only to pilings and low on deep-rooted trees.
Install fenders or tires to protect boat from collisions. Use chafe protection so lines aren’t worn through.
Remove any portable gas tanks.
Set bilge pump on automatic. Leave cockpit drains open.
Close all intake valves below the water line. Seal hatches, ports, windows, doors and vents with duct tape.
Remove all gear affected by wind.
Disconnect the shorepower cord. Remove outboard engine if possible. An engine might help weigh down a lighter boat but could cause a heavier boat to damage its trailer.
Pick a site away from trees and power lines. Do not park between buildings, where wind tunnels can develop. Remove electrical equipment and strip all loose gear.
Use wooden blocks at the trailer’s wheels. Deflate tires. If your boat is on a trailer, lash it to the trailer and tie trailer down to something secure. Ground anchors are best.
If you don’t have a trailer and your boat is small (does not have electrical gear and carpeting), fill it with water and tie it to the most secure thing you can find in your yard. If the boat is very small, turn it upside down and lash it to the ground or put it in the garage and leave the car outside.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane season 2024: Protecting your boat during storm in Florida