Hurricane Ida has taken us all by surprise this late in the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The relatively quiet hurricane season officially ends November 31, however Hurricane Ida is taking one last stand.

Hurricane Ida is currently a Category 2 storm, however Gulf Coast residents between Alabama and the Florida Panhandle are bracing for the storm to downgrade to a Tropical Storm before making landfall mid-morning Tuesday, November 10.

Forecasters predict the greatest threat to affected areas will be areas of heavy rainfall, possible tornadoes and a heavy storm surge due to abnormal high tides.

If you are a Gulf Coast resident, take these steps to prepare your boat to weather a tropical storm:

• Marine Weather Advisories, Watches, and Warnings

• Tropical Storms

• Hurricane Boat Preparation

• Hurricane Preparation Kit

• Hurricane Preparation Plan - Trailered Boats

• Hurricane Preparation Plan - Moored Boats

• Hurricane Preparation Plan - Anchored Boats

Caring for and maintaining your boat is easy when tasks are broken into simple to follow instructions. Learn more about boat maintenance, engines and the essentials to care for your boat.

Here are a few articles to get you started:

1. Basic Cleaning

2. Maintain or Restore the Exterior

3. Winterizing Your Boat's Interior and Exterior

4. Winterizing Your Boat's Engine

New for the 2010 model year, the Sea Ray 450 Sundancer is combination of sleek design and smart technology like its standard Axius® propulsion system with joystick control, a cockpit entertainment center with optional grill and TV, and a designated "media room" in the cabin, the Sea Ray 450 Sundancer raises the bar for express cruisers.

The seamless hardtop features a sunroof and the cockpit boasts two doublewide benches with flip-up bolsters and armrests. The helm is complete with driving and navigation aids to make operation easier than ever including: the SmartCraft® VesselView display, the Axius or Zeus joystick control, and the amazing Skyhook® station-keeping feature.

The cockpit and interior are no less impressive. The cockpit has an L-shaped wet bar with an ice-make and optional grill, refrigerator and flat screen TV. Inside, the cabin features a V-berth stateroom with shower and head, an aft media center that converts to accommodate more sleeping room, and a spacious galley with stainless-steel appliances and loads of storage along the port side; to starboard, a dining area with folding table easily coverts to a sleeper.

View the Sea Ray 450 Photo Gallery

Visit Sea Ray for more information

Okay, so most boaters know that rope is called line when used aboard boats. No matter what it is called, line is an essential boating supply and it pays to know about the different types of line and its uses, and also to properly care for it to maintain its integrity and extend its life.

Because there are many uses aboard your boat for line, there are many different types and sizes of lines to match. Did you know that line is classified by whether it is natural or synthetic, it's construction and size? Each type of line excels at different uses aboard a boat. Follow the links below to learn about the construction and types of different lines, their uses and the right size of line for your boat.

Here are a few tips for caring for the line aboard your boat:

1. Inspect all the lines aboard your boat annually. The salt and sun combine to degrade the line and severely weaken it. Line that is frayed or worn is compromised and will not have the same strength, which could be dangerous if it breaks, or parts, suddenly when you most need it.

2. Look for places on the line that receive added wear and tear. You can buy covers that slip over the line and protect the line from friction and abrasion, thus extending its life. These covers work particularly well on mooring and anchor lines where frequent chafing occurs.

3. If you boat in salt water, be sure to rinse all your lines with fresh water and hang them to dry. The salt can create tears, and if line is put away wet, mildew sets in. You can also wash your lines periodically with mild soap.

4. Replace line that is worn, frayed, or compromised in any way. Line seems like a small detail, however, it does heavy duty work aboard your boat in the form of keeping your boat moored and/or anchored and fending off bumps and scrapes.

For more information about the types, construction and uses of different line aboard your boat, read Boating Supplies and Accessories - Dock, Mooring and Anchor Lines.