How to Keep Your Watercraft Hurricane-Ready in South Florida

South Florida is susceptible to severe weather and hurricanes during hurricane season. From June 1st to November 30th, you could experience a mild, moderate, or even severe hurricane. If you have a boat, you might be wondering what you can do to keep it safe during a storm.

Owning a boat can be stressful, especially during hurricane season. Thankfully, there are things you can do to prevent your boat from experiencing significant damage. For example, you should consider storing your boat in a garage, storage building, a “hurricane hole,” or a well-protected marina or dock.

If you have to store your boat in the water, there are a few tips to consider to keep it safe. Never anchor your boat near a floodgate, avoid tying up too close to sea walls, and run at least eight lines to the shore if you are in a canal or waterway.

While there are things you can do to lessen the risk of damage, your boat will never be 100% safe during a severe hurricane. Thankfully, marine mechanics like Jet Tek Water Sports can help you repair any damage you experience.

How to Prepare Your Boat for a Hurricane in South Florida

You’ll want to start making preparations for your boat as soon as possible. When there is a potential hurricane hitting your area, you should bring your boat to a storage facility or prepare it for high winds ahead of time. Never wait until the last minute to secure your watercraft.

The two main things you should know when preparing your boat for a hurricane in Florida include:

Places to Store Your Boat

There are a few different options to choose from when storing your boat for a hurricane, including:

• An Inland Garage or Storage Building- Your best option is to find an inland garage or storage building where you can safely stow your boat during the hurricane. Choose one that is above the projected storm surge to ensure your boat is not stuck in a flooded area.
• A “Hurricane Hole”- Hurricane holes are small, protected bodies of water like a small cove. They are surrounded by sturdy trees, protecting the area from strong winds. You can store your boat in one of these areas to lessen the risk of damage from wind or flying debris.
• A Secure Dock or Marina- Choose a marina or dock that isn’t exposed to a large, open body of water. It is also best to pick one that has a high sea wall. You can find secure docks and marinas throughout South Florida, as many locations do their best to protect boats from the effects of hurricanes.

Securing Your Boat in the Water

You can either store your boat in a marina or a storage facility. If you are securing your boat in the water, there are a few things you need to know. First, you should avoid anchoring or tying up near a floodgate, as your boat will be crushed or sunk when the gates are opened to let out the water.

You should also use lines on both sides of your boat. Use double bow and stern lines to keep it secure. The water level could rise 10 to 20 feet, so tying away from the seawall is also important.

If you are tying in a cabal or waterway, make sure to use at least eight lines that run up to the shore. Set these lines in the form of an X and wrap them around cleats or pilings several times. Your boat should end up looking like it’s caught in a spiderweb.

Consider installing fenders or tires on your boat to protect it from collisions or rubbing against the pier. Remove portable gas tanks and any other gear that can be affected by the wind.

It’s important that you run the automatic bilge pumps to prevent water accumulation in the bilge. It’s also recommended that you close intake valves below the water line and seal hatches, ports, windows, doors, and vents with duct tape.

What to Do if Your Boat is Damaged in a Hurricane

It is possible that your boat will experience damage despite your best efforts. Thankfully, many boat insurance companies offer coverage for hurricanes in Florida. Your repairs might be mostly covered by your insurance if you experience damage during a hurricane.

Whether you have insurance coverage or not, a marine mechanic can work with you to complete the repairs in the most economical way possible.

If your boat is damaged during the hurricane, Jet Tek Water Sports is here to help. Our expert marine mechanics can work on flooded electrical systems, damaged hulls, and even torn sails on sailboats. Whatever type of repair you need done, we can complete it to get your boat back out on the water.

Get Connected to a Marine Mechanic in South Florida

If your boat was affected by a hurricane in South Florida, you’ve come to the right place. No matter what type of repairs you need done, the expert marine mechanics at Jet Tek Water Sports are here to help.

Contact us today for more information on how to prepare your boat for a hurricane in Florida.