Hurricane season in Florida is officially starting in just one month, and there isn’t a better time than now for boat owners to prepare. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced last year that over one million vessels are registered in the state, much more than any other state in the country. While every homeowner needs to prepare for hurricane season, boat owners also need to take similar precautions to protect their assets and future access to the water.
Options for Boat Owners During Hurricanes and Storms
Trying to move your boat last minute can be a pain and nearly impossible, which is why we recommend making these preparations as early as you can. It allows you additional time should challenges arrive and the opportunity to find weak points in your dock or safety preparations.
- If a hurricane or massive storm is rolling into Florida, the best place for your boat is out of the water. High winds can cause massive waves that slam your boat into the dock, destroying parts of the boat or nearby areas.
- The best place to keep a boat is inside a garage or storage facility, but that isn’t feasible for everyone. If you can not find shelter for your boat, your next best option is moving it inland and strapping it down. If you use nylon straps or ropes, chances are they will not have the required strength to keep the boat in place. Instead, look into anchors that lock a boat into concrete or drill into the ground. You will also need to purchase a heavy cover – something that won’t blow in the wind – to protect windows, glass, and other potentially brittle parts of the deck of your boat.
- If moving your boat out of the water isn’t possible, your next best option is a floating dock that allows your boat to ride out the high waves away from the nearby concrete walls and metal docks. Boats must be attached to floating docks with heavy-duty rope or bindings, or else you risk the storms carrying away your boat, even if it’s anchored.
Preparation and Checks Before A Hurricane or Storm
If you can’t move your boat or your dock isn’t up to par, it’s better to know earlier than later. Since we already discussed where your boat should be during a storm, here is what to look check to make it happen when the time comes.
Boat Lifts: Test your boat life to ensure it works properly and can raise your boat entirely out of the water for removal. Repairing a boat lift under the time constraints of an incoming hurricane is stressful, and proper maintenance of your lift can minimize these concerns.
Anchors: Whether using an older anchor in conjunction with a floating dock or a newer anchor to help keep your boat secure on land, install them as soon as possible and make sure they work. An anchor failure can not only cause additional damage but can give you a false sense of security about the safety of your vessel.
If you feel confident in your safety preparations, the final thing you should review is your boat’s insurance policy. Having an insurance policy that adequately protects your boat and its value allows you to escape the path of the hurricane without worrying about the state of your vessel.
The team at Anderson & Associates Insurance Group is ready to help Florida boat owners prepare for any future storms and disasters. Call us today to receive a quote or discuss your current levels of coverage.
