Before the start of hurricane season on June 1, have a hurricane preparation plan in place for your boat so you know in advance what you will do if a hurricane is imminent. An adequate plan will include purchasing items for a hurricane preparation kit and having a checklist to follow to make preparing your boat as efficient and quick as possible.
If a hurricane watch has been issued, follow these steps to prepare your boat and trailer to weather the storm:
If possible, remove a trailerable boat from the water.
Get your boat out of the water if you can. Drive it as far inland as possible so it is out of the hurricane's direct path.Store the boat and trailer in a garage.
The best place to store a trailered boat during a hurricane is the garage, or other sturdy structure.If all else fails, tie the boat and trailer down.
If driving the boat inland or storing it in a sturdy structure is not an option, plan to anchor the trailer into the ground. One way to anchor the trailer is by driving steel rebar into the ground and connecting them to the trailer with heavy duty tie straps. Some experts recommend tying your boat trailer to a sturdy tree, but hurricane-force winds can bring even the mightiest trees down. Anchor your boat trailer to the ground well away from trees, power lines, or other objects that can fall on it.
Be sure to place blocks inside of the trailer wheels between the frame and the axle, and let air out of the tires.
Strap the boat to the trailer and add weight.
Use heavy ties to strap the boat down to the trailer. If your boat has an outboard motor, you can set the drain plug and partially fill the boat with fresh water to add extra weight. Do not fill the boat with water if you have an inboard motor. Instead, be certain that the drain plug is removed.Remove everything!
Seriously, everything. Otherwise the wind will tear it to shreds, or the wind-driven rain will severely damage it. Remove all canvas, plastic, electronics, deck gear, antennas, and any loose objects.
If you have an outboard engine, remove it along with your batteries, and store both in a dry, secure place.
