Preparing Your Sailboat for a Hurricane

During a hurricane your sailboat can be in severeboat into the dock. Cover any points that make chafe
jeopardy even if the storm doesn't pass near to you.with leather, plastic or rubber coverings to prevent a
The most important thing is to make preparations inline from breaking free. Old garden hose cut into
advance. As a storm grows close the weather cansections will work well for a line covering. Secure any
make it difficult to prepare your boat and suppliesequipment from the deck down below and pull any
could already be sold out. There are differentoutboard engines to be stored. Secure bumpers and
strategies you need to be aware of if your boat istire to the sides of the boat to prevent damage from
moored at a dock or kept in dry-dock on a trailer. If atthe dock.
all possible it is always best to try to move your boatIf your sailboat is stored on a trailer make sure to lash
inland and toward high ground.the boat down to the trailer at more than one place.
If your boat is moored at a dock it is important toTie the boat down to four different points to secure
re-enforce the moorings and double check that theobjects. Follow the advice above in removing any
cleats on the boat and dock are secure. Attach doubleequipment possible and storing anything possible down
lashings at each of the four points you are tied off to,below. Drain the air from the trailers tires and place
and make sure to move the attachment higher up onchocks (Bricks, wood or cinder blocks) in front and
the pylons to allow for the rising tide. During a roughbehind the wheels. Strip the boat down as much as
storm the lines will chafe along the boat, which canpossible and try to place the trailer in a secure location
cause one of the lines to break free and slam yourwith enough distance from other boats.