June 1st marks the beginning of South Florida’s annual hurricane season. As homeowners prepare by procuring hurricane shutters, storing extra water and planning evacuation routes, another group of Sarasota and Bradenton residents has another situation to consider.
This region is a boaters’ paradise – from the Gulf of Mexico to hundreds of inland waterways, boating is one of our favorite pastimes. But with storm season approaching, boat owners need to be well prepared to protect their investment before the wind and rains come.
Tips for Boat Owners Before the Storm
There are different types of docks, and many ways to moor a boat during good weather. However, an imminent hurricane should cause you to take a close look at how your boat will be able to withstand rising and falling water and being buffeted by high winds.
- Best Option – Strap Down On Shore: Experts agree that the best place for a boat during a hurricane is up and out of the water completely. If you do not have a storage arrangement with a local marina, you will want to move your boat to dry ground and strap down properly. Although in the Sarasota area there is no “higher ground”, you can move your boat inland to best protect it. However, even a boat out of the water can sustain significant wind damage if not strapped down properly. The best way to prepare a boat is to anchor it into concrete or utilize helical anchors drilled into the ground. Nylon straps offer too much stretch for high wind situations, so look for straps with no give.
- Floating Docks & High Pilings: The next best option for boat owners is having their boats tied to floating docks with high pilings. Storm surges can cause the water to rise by significant levels, and the structure of these docks allows your boat to rise and fall with the water levels, meaning it will not be straining against its tethers. In recent major storms, boats at floating docks have escaped with very little damage, while boat owners with vessels at nearby fixed docks have sustained heavy losses.
- Dry Stack Storage Facilities: These buildings offer a safe haven during a hurricane, with one very important caveat – find a facility which was built after 1992. Many dry stack facilities built prior to Hurricane Andrew actually failed miserably, but with lessons learned, more recent facilities are among the safest places for your boat. You will likely not be able to move your boat here when the storm is on its way (due to capacity) so the time to research your options is before hurricane season.
Worst Options for Boat Owners
Older, fixed docks with short pilings are the worst place to keep your boat during a hurricane. Not only is there very little give for the boat to navigate shifting tides, but slips tend to be narrow. Boats are likely to slam up against the dock and may break free of short pilings if the water level rises significantly.
If your boat is on a lift or davit, you should definitely remove it and find a safer storage option. Boats which are moored in this manner often suffer the most damage.
Before hurricane season, you may wish to evaluate your current level of boat insurance and make sure that your investment is covered. While speaking with one of our expert Sarasota insurance agents, ask about home insurance and umbrella coverage as well. The team at Anderson & Associates Insurance Group is ready to help you to be prepared for the storms which may come – call us today!
