Boaters: Three Pieces of Hurricane Prep Gear You Should Have

ALEXANDRIA, VA – According to the to the National Hurricane Center, Monday, August 10, marked the date by which boaters typically have seen the first hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season. And while early predictions for this year’s hurricane storm activity were well below the 30-year average, that doesn’t mean the entire season will remain that way as we get closer to peak season one month away. So what hurricane gear did you forget to pick up at the beginning of the storm season in June? Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says there are three must-have pieces of hurricane prep gear for boats that you may have forgotten about – but should get now as they could have a big impact if a hurricane strikes.

For a boat stored in a slip: If you’re not in your marina’s “hurricane club” for priority haul-out service and all else fails, you may have no other option but to leave your boat in the slip. Keeping the boat “alive” during a storm requires a strong web of lines with plenty of chafe protection. Don’t skimp on either, as they are your primary line of defense. To learn more about lines and chafe, go to BoatUS.com/boaterprep.

For a boat stored on land: In storm after storm, the BoatUS Catastrophe (CAT) Team has found that boats are more likely to survive if they are out of the water. That’s because when something goes wrong during a hurricane, boats left in the water are more likely to sink and end up as total losses. One of the most effective ways to protect your boat on land is tying down the boat while on jackstands to screwed-in anchors or fixed tie downs. This works especially well for large sailboats that present a tall profile to the wind. Look for a marina with hurricane storage that offers this option, or talk to your marina about whether or not you can do it yourself. To see how tie downs work, go to BoatUS.com/strap.

For any boat: If you don’t already have one, get a boat insurance policy that’s designed to protect you in the event of a hurricane – it’s your last backstop. To meet this standard, BoatUS says it should include full salvage coverage, meaning separate salvage coverage up to the insured value of the boat that is in addition to any payments to fix the boat or replace equipment. A good hurricane policy also includes hurricane haul-out coverage and offers a high level of post-storm service from an insurer experienced in salvage. The best place to find this out is to ask friends for their experience with hurricane claims.

For more on hurricane prep or get an insurance quote from the BoatUS Insurance Program, go to BoatUS.com.