[rhbj03]

Seems boats are just sitting ducks... Can you really do anything?

[Compression]

The smart ones have a spot reserved in a "hurricane hole" (a safe anchorage, or marina, typically not susceptible to storm surge) to take the boat to in the event of an impending storm. Or a reservation to have the boat pulled and shored up on the hard. With proof of same, can usually get a discount on their annual insurance rates.

Others just put out extra lines and fenders and hope for the best. After securing canvas tops, cushions, and movable equipment below decks.

Small craft owners typically get them out of the water, and store the boat and trailer in as safe a place as is practical.


CN

[jghorton]

With a Cat 4 or 5, there isn't much one can do except look for a safe anchorage and hope the anchor holds.

On the other hand, since about 2004, Florida boat owners have done the same thing as Nebraska boat owners when it comes to preparing for hurricanes. It's been that long since more than an occasional tropical storm has visited Florida.

Sometimes, the notion that Floridians dodge hurricanes on their way to the grocery store has been vastly over-played by the media.

[Arcenal813]

For one, I don't believe in leaving boats out in the yard or at the dock for long period of time. Either have a storage shed where you can park it, or have it stored at a marina. There are also storage units specifically built for boats.

[BabyBoomers2]

Our 20' Cuddy is in a dry storage. That "dry storage" isn't a complete building, but only a roof with ends. Our boat was fine last year during Mathew, but a wooden fence that separates a house property from the dry storage had to be replaced.

Watching tv coverage of the aftermath of Harvey, a Dry Storage, like we are in, was shown. a couple of boats were sitting on the ground, but the majority of them were still in the racks.

All boat owners can do is.........hope for the best, concerning their boat and home.

BTW, the Dry Storage is by a channel going out to the St. Johns River in Jacksonville.

[rhbj03]

This being the case (that there are no sure way to protect the boat), and hurricanes supposedly is an annual event, wouldn't people in Florida be replacing their boats every few years?

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by rhbj03

This being the case (that there are no sure way to protect the boat), and hurricanes supposedly is an annual event, wouldn't people in Florida be replacing their boats every few years?

Nope! We've had ours since early 2009.

[d4g4m]

Most of them are stored next to the garage or in the driveway about 360 days a year. A very small percentage of boats would be exposed to a hurricane.

[BabyBoomers2]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

Most of them are stored next to the garage or in the driveway about 360 days a year. A very small percentage of boats would be exposed to a hurricane.

Not necessarily so in northeastern Florida (Jacksonville). There are a LOT of boats here in Dry Storage. However, some of those Dry Storage areas are not fully covered (all sides), while other are. A number are also sitting in slips by homes and in marinas.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

Most of them are stored next to the garage or in the driveway about 360 days a year. A very small percentage of boats would be exposed to a hurricane.

so what are the chances that a fiberglass center console type boat like the one below that is hooked up to a pick-up truck (like a F-150) would sail in Cat 3-4 hurricane? is it tethered enough by being hitched to not go flying?