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Prepare boats for storms

Take the time to prepare your boat for the upcoming hurricane season. A few minutes now could save you thousands of dollars in damage and a great deal of stress if the area is hit with a hurricane this season.
By Lorna Jablonski, Okeechobee News

With the start of the 2006 hurricane season upon us, now is the time to start making plans to safeguard your boat. A few minutes of preparation now could save you thousands of dollars and prevent a great deal of stress in the event that we are hit with a hurricane this season.

The following instructions are only guidelines and may not apply to every individual situation. The important thing to remember is to keep calm and use good judgment.

- Gather all documents pertaining to your boat including insurance policies, a recent picture of your boat, the boat registration, an inventory of equipment and a copy of the lease agreement if the boat is stored at a marina or storage facility. Keep these documents in a safe place. Have telephone numbers of the marina, storage facility and insurance agent readily available.

- Keep a list of all items you remove from the boat prior to the storm. Include, if possible, the make, model and original cost of the equipment. Make note of where you are storing this equipment. Keep another list of items that will remain on the boat.

- If you plan to move your boat to safer ground, be sure to check the tires, bearings and axle on your trailer now. Have everything in working order.

- Know approximately how long it will take to move the boat and secure it. Remember, traffic will be heavy and supplies will be at a premium prior to a hurricane. If you are planning to move the boat, give yourself ample time to do so. If you are keeping it at home, you will need time to prepare it while also preparing your home for the storm. Do not cut yourself short on time. Have the materials to secure the boat on hand. You may not be able to purchase them if a storm is coming.

Once you move the boat to safe ground or if you are keeping it at home on its trailer, you should:

- Lash your boat to the trailer and place blocks between the frame members and the axle inside each wheel. Owners of lightweight boats might want to consider letting about half the air out of the tires, then filling the boat one-third full of water to help hold it down. The blocks between the frame and axle will prevent damage to the springs from the additional weight of the water.

- Tie your boat with heavy lines to fixed objects. Pick a location that allows you to tie it from all four directions, because hurricane winds rotate and change direction. It can be tied down to screw anchors secured into the ground. Do not tie it to a tree. As we found out last summer, even the sturdiest looking trees can be blown down during a hurricane.

If you intend to keep your boat in the water, the following should be adhered to:

- If your boat is kept at a marina berth or behind your home in the water and you intend to leave it there, double all lines and rig crossing spring lines fore and aft. Attach lines high on pilings to allow for tidal rise or surge. Make sure lines will not slip off pilings. Inspect pilings and choose those that seem strongest and tallest and are properly installed. The longer the dock lines, the better a boat will be a coping with high tides. It is important to double up on all lines and use chafe protectors at any potential chafe points.

- Cover all lines at rough points to prevent chafing. Wrap with tape, rags and rubber hoses. Install fenders to protect the boat from rubbing against the pier, pilings and other boats.

- Remove all moveable equipment such as canvas, sails, dinghies, radios, cushions, biminis and roller furling sails. Lash down everything you cannot remove such as tillers, wheels, booms, etc.

- Assess the attachment of cleats, winches and chocks. These should have substantial back plates and adequate stainless steel bolt sizes.

- Batteries should be fully charged and checked to ensure their capability to run automatic bilge pumps for the duration of the storm. Consider backup batteries. Cut off all devices using electricity except bilge pumps.

- Never leave a boat on davits or on a hydro-lift.

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