Securing a boat during a hurricane

[LongJohnSilver]

I’ve always pulled my boat out of the water for hurricanes, but Alberto is speeding up and I’ll probably leave it since it’s going to stay a Tropical Storm or be a Cat 1. My boat is in a slough which is about 60 feet x 20 feet and is about 30 feet from the main channel of a tidal creek. I can see it from my den and sunroom. I’m thinking of leaving it in the water with the self-bailing plugs pulled and anchor it with one anchor so it can swing and stay pointing towards the wind. Any hints?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Securing a boat during a hurricane

Make Darn sure your anchor is large enough and is set VERY FIRMLY. I personally would use 2 bow anchors set at about 22 degrees of one another to limit the swing a bit, and if one breaks loose... At least you still have a shot of the second anchor holding. A permanent mooring ball is the best way if you must leave it in the water. <br /><br />How big is this boat? I really think getting her out of the water is the best solution. There were lots of boats around here that broke loose of their moorings last season.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Securing a boat during a hurricane

Make sure your insurance is paid up. That's your Best protection if it's left in the water. Even the best job of securing is meaningless if there's houses and boats smashing into it anyways. <br /><br />If you have the means to get it out, GET IT OUT.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Securing a boat during a hurricane

I would pull it and take it inland.<br />However if your going to leave it the key is an anchor big enough to hold it, some chain and most important is at least 7 to 1 scope. Ofcourse the line must be strong enough to hold the boat against the wind and waves. I also would suggest a single fast setting anchor so when the boat wings around it can reset without tangles.<br />Good Luck

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Securing a boat during a hurricane

Did you make it through with your boat? Still a little windy here, but the sun is shining today!

 

[LongJohnSilver]

Re: Securing a boat during a hurricane

Thanks for the tips. I may revise my plan for the next mild storm. I never had winds in excess of 35 knots so there was no problem. I do take the boat out if the storm is a Cat 1 or above. I usually use a Danforth anchor, plus I tie a line to an old piling in the slough. On the insurance subject, I only have it for liability purposes under my umbrella policy. It’s Carolina Skiff 16 and not worth carrying theft insurance, plus it’s in my backyard (creek). The insurance question does make me wonder about possibly getting an additional boat liability policy, that way if I ever did have to file a claim, it wouldn’t affect my umbrella policy which is primarily for the potential lawsuit from hell. I have seen some major damage caused by unsecured boats….once they are loose from the anchor or dock it’s like a demolition derby for 8-12 hours.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Securing a boat during a hurricane

The insurance wont mean anything no matter what policy you have if you don't take reasonable precautions to insure it's safety. Leaving it in the water is not going to be considered reasonable by those that hold the policy. In fact it could be viewed as trying to get it damaged to collect on the policy.