How to Keep Your Boat Safe During a Hurricane<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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If you\u2019re a boat owner, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to keep your boat safe during a hurricane.<\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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If you\u2019re a boat owner, it\u2019s important to take the necessary precautions to keep your boat safe during a hurricane. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage, and if your boat isn\u2019t properly secured, it could be swept away or damaged by the storm. In this blog post, we\u2019ll discuss some tips on keeping your boat safe during a hurricane.<\/p>
A hurricane has been named and is headed right for you. And though you have days to over a week before it makes landfall, it\u2019s always best to be prepared for the worst.<\/p>
How to keep your boat safe during a hurricane? We map out the steps to take below.<\/strong><\/p>
If you have the option to take your boat out of the water, do it.\u00a0<\/strong>Smaller open boats and high-performance powerboats with low freeboard will typically be overcome by waves, spray, and rain, so it\u2019s best to take them out of the water and have them stored on the trailer. Many marinas and yacht clubs will haul boats out of the water as a hurricane approaches, leaving only the bigger vessels to weather the storm.<\/li>
If left in the water, a boat lift where they will be above the anticipated storm surge is your safest bet,<\/strong>\u00a0but not everyone has that option. If you can store your boat on a lift, strap it down to the lift with ratchet straps for the ultimate protection.<\/li>
Properly securing your boat is one of the most important things you can do to protect it\u00a0<\/strong>against hurricane-force winds, rain, and storm surge. You should make sure that your boat is anchored securely and that all of the lines are in good condition. Cover all lines to prevent chafing and wrap all lines where lines feed through chocks with tape, rags, and rubber hoses or leather. Install fenders, fender boards, or tires to protect it from rubbing against the seawall, pilings, or other boats. If available to you, store your boat and trailer in a garage. If a garage is not an option, secure them to strong trees. Or, use concrete deadman anchors if trees are not an option. There are plenty of instructional videos available should you require more information on how to secure your boat.<\/li>
Charge batteries and double-check they can run automatic bilge pumps throughout the storm.\u00a0<\/strong>As any boat owner knows, the boat\u2019s batteries are essential for operating the boat. Without them, it will not be able to start or run any of its electrical systems. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to make sure that your boat\u2019s batteries are fully charged and have a backup battery before a hurricane hits. During a hurricane, the high winds and heavy rains can lead to problems with the boat\u2019s electrical system, including short circuits and power outages. If the boat\u2019s batteries are not fully charged, they may not be able to handle the extra load and could become damaged. Having a backup battery will ensure that you still have power even if the primary battery fails.<\/li>
Remove and safely store loose items and anything that can blow off the deck of the boat\u00a0<\/strong>such as life jackets, fishing gear, cushions, and chairs for example. Some items, such as chair pedestals, can be left in place, but you want to cover the open flange with two plastic zipper bags and secure them to the pedestal with electrical tape. Electrical tape stretches, sticks to itself, and will stay put in a moderate storm. As long as you stretch the tape tight on the bag and not the pedestal itself, you should be all set.<\/li>
Determine a course of action for the drain plugs.<\/strong>\u00a0For all outboard motor boats, all drain plugs can be removed so that the boat doesn\u2019t fill up with water. Or, you may opt to increase its weight by filling it with fresh water and leaving the plugs in place. It\u2019s really a personal preference and what you feel is best to make it the most sturdy. However, do NOT do this with an inboard motor boat, as it will ruin the engine \u2013 opt to remove the drain plugs instead.<\/li>
Another important tip is to get your boat insured and\u00a0<\/strong>understand what your policy covers. Your policy may have certain requirements you need to meet. It\u2019s advised to inventory the contents of your boat because your boat insurance policy may require it anyway. Take pictures or videos as evidence should items be damaged or lost. The more information for your insurance agent, the better. Keep important information in a waterproof, floating lockbox to store copies of your insurance policy, boat registration, and anything else related to your boat such as a marina rental agreement.<\/li>
If<\/strong>\u00a0you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, create an evacuation plan<\/strong>\u00a0which includes where you will go if forced to evacuate, how you will get there, and what you will do with your boat.<\/li>
Be cautious after the hurricane has passed.\u00a0<\/strong>Looming potential dangers includeleaking fuel, exposed electrical lines (make sure the dockside power is off if there is any chance of a dangerous leaking current), sewage backups, missing dock boards, and so forth. There could be stray electrical current from submerged outlets and\/or shore cords in the water, damaged vessel systems, etc. Do NOT enter the water until local authorities say it\u2019s safe to do so.<\/li><\/ul>
Taking these precautions can only help preserve your boat during a hurricane. Remember, you can never be\u00a0too<\/em>\u00a0prepared for a hurricane. And, with over three months left in hurricane season 2022, there\u2019s still time to ensure your boat is safe.<\/p>
Do you have further tips? Share them with us in the comments! Our goal here at\u00a0SmartPlug<\/span>\u00a0is to keep your vessel safe and secure DAILY with our sophisticated shore power delivery systems. Contrary to popular belief, the #1 cause of shore power failure and fires is\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0electrical shorting, but rather overheating caused by poor electrical conductivity. SmartPlug products reduce the risk of this happening, keeping you and your boating crew safe.<\/p>
Contact us at 206-285-2990 for any questions on what shore power system is best for your boat. We hope you\u2019re enjoying wonderful adventures this summer and that you stay safe this hurricane season!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
How to Keep Your Boat Safe During a Hurricane SmartPlug August 12, 2022 6:00 am If you\u2019re a boat owner, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to keep your boat safe during a hurricane. If you\u2019re a boat owner, it\u2019s important to take the necessary precautions to keep your boat safe during a hurricane. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage, and if your boat isn\u2019t properly secured, it could be swept away or damaged by the storm. In this blog post, we\u2019ll discuss some tips on keeping your boat safe during a hurricane. A hurricane has been named and is headed right for you. And though you have days to over a week before it makes landfall, it\u2019s always best to be prepared for the worst. How to keep your boat safe during a hurricane? We map out the steps to take below. If you have the option to take your boat out of the water, do it.\u00a0Smaller open boats and high-performance powerboats with low freeboard will typically be overcome by waves, spray, and rain, so it\u2019s best to take them out of the water and have them stored on the trailer. Many marinas and yacht clubs will haul boats out of the water as a hurricane approaches, leaving only the bigger vessels to weather the storm. If left in the water, a boat lift where they will be above the anticipated storm surge is your safest bet,\u00a0but not everyone has that option. If you can store your boat on a lift, strap it down to the lift with ratchet straps for the ultimate protection. Properly securing your boat is one of the most important things you can do to protect it\u00a0against hurricane-force winds, rain, and storm surge. You should make sure that your boat is anchored securely and that all of the lines are in good condition. Cover all lines to prevent chafing and wrap all lines where lines feed through chocks with tape, rags, and rubber hoses or leather. Install fenders, fender boards, or tires to protect it from rubbing against the seawall, pilings, or other boats. If available to you, store your boat and trailer in a garage. If a garage is not an option, secure them to strong trees. Or, use concrete deadman anchors if trees are not an option. There are plenty of instructional videos available should you require more information on how to secure your boat. Charge batteries and double-check they can run automatic bilge pumps throughout the storm.\u00a0As any boat owner knows, the boat\u2019s batteries are essential for operating the boat. Without them, it will not be able to start or run any of its electrical systems. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to make sure that your boat\u2019s batteries are fully charged and have a backup battery before a hurricane hits. During a hurricane, the high winds and heavy rains can lead to problems with the boat\u2019s electrical system, including short circuits and power outages. If the boat\u2019s batteries are not fully charged, they may not be able to handle the extra load and could become damaged. Having a backup battery will ensure that you still have power even if the primary battery fails. Remove and safely store loose items and anything that can blow off the deck of the boat\u00a0such as life jackets, fishing gear, cushions, and chairs for example. Some items, such as chair pedestals, can be left in place, but you want to cover the open flange with two plastic zipper bags and secure them to the pedestal with electrical tape. Electrical tape stretches, sticks to itself, and will stay put in a moderate storm. As long as you stretch the tape tight on the bag and not the pedestal itself, you should be all set. Determine a course of action for the drain plugs.\u00a0For all outboard motor boats, all drain plugs can be removed so that the boat doesn\u2019t fill up with water. Or, you may opt to increase its weight by filling it with fresh water and leaving the plugs in place. It\u2019s really a personal preference and what you feel is best to make it the most sturdy. However, do NOT do this with an inboard motor boat, as it will ruin the engine \u2013 opt to remove the drain plugs instead. Another important tip is to get your boat insured and\u00a0understand what your policy covers. Your policy may have certain requirements you need to meet. It\u2019s advised to inventory the contents of your boat because your boat insurance policy may require it anyway. Take pictures or videos as evidence should items be damaged or lost. The more information for your insurance agent, the better. Keep important information in a waterproof, floating lockbox to store copies of your insurance policy, boat registration, and anything else related to your boat such as a marina rental agreement. If\u00a0you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, create an evacuation plan\u00a0which includes where you will go if forced to evacuate, how you will get there, and what you will do with your boat. Be cautious after the hurricane has passed.\u00a0Looming potential dangers includeleaking fuel, exposed electrical lines (make sure the dockside power is off if there is any chance of a dangerous leaking current), sewage backups, missing dock boards, and so forth. There could be stray electrical current from submerged outlets and\/or shore cords in the water, damaged vessel systems, etc. Do NOT enter the water until local authorities say it\u2019s safe to do so. Taking these precautions can only help preserve your boat during a hurricane. Remember, you can never be\u00a0too\u00a0prepared for a hurricane. And, with over three months left in hurricane season 2022, there\u2019s still time to ensure your boat is safe. Do you have further tips? Share them with us in the comments! Our goal here at\u00a0SmartPlug\u00a0is to keep your vessel safe and secure DAILY with our sophisticated shore power delivery systems. Contrary to popular belief, the #1 cause of shore power failure and fires<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6141,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[259,93,83,260,73,261,262,263,264,265,266,267,268,56,87,269],"class_list":["post-6140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-2023-hurricane-season","tag-boat-accessories","tag-boat-safety","tag-boat-tips","tag-boating-tips","tag-hurricane-checklist","tag-hurricane-damage","tag-hurricane-names-2023","tag-hurricane-season","tag-hurricanes","tag-keeping-your-boat-safe-during-a-hurricane","tag-protecting-your-boat-from-hurricane-damage","tag-secure-your-boat","tag-smartplug","tag-smartplug-technology","tag-storm-damage"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6140"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6140\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}