Where To Keep Your Boat During A Hurricane in Miami
Weather experts predict another above-average hurricane season in 2021. Where will you keep your boat should a storm hit?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, predicts another above-average hurricane season with 17 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. The season starts on June 1 and goes through November 30, with the peak of storms affecting Florida in August and September.
Last year was a busy season, with a record 11 storms making landfall in the U.S., including six hurricanes. No matter the prediction, it is essential to have a hurricane preparedness plan, and a location to keep your boat should a storm hit your area.
The Best Place To Keep Your Boat During a Hurricane in Miami
Most boating experts would agree that the best place to keep your boat during a hurricane is an indoor dry storage facility like our friends at North Beach Marina or any dry inland location away from tidal surges and strong winds. If you cannot remove your boat from the water, the next best option is to look for shelter in a canal or “hurricane hole” with land protection on all sides and secure your boat to a boat lift or dock using strong lines with plenty of slack to account for the tidal rise.
When moving your boat inland, you will want to check the condition of your boat’s trailer to make sure it’s working correctly, as it is your best option to transport your boat away from the storm to a more sheltered location. We always recommend inspecting your trailer tires and bearings now to make sure you’re not scrambling to make repairs as a storm approaches.
Top Ten Hurricane Season Boat Preparation Tips
- Create a Hurricane Plan for Your Boat
- Secure In-Door Boat Storage
- Update Your Boats Insurance Policy
- Move Your Boat to Dry Land
- Secure Your Boat to a Trailer with Tie Down Straps
- Remove All Loose Items
- Seal the Openings
- Remove Drain Plugs to Let Excess Rain Water Drain Out
- Inspect the Bilge Pumps & Float Switches to Make Sure They’re Working Properly
- Check Your Boat’s Trailer to Ensure it’s Working Properly
Contact Us for Help
At Happy Trailer Storage, we’ve seen our fair share of hurricanes over the years and are here to help you prepare. For more information on where to keep your boat during the hurricane season contact us at 786-728-9988 click here.
2020 Hurricane Season Boat Preparedness
How to Protect Your Boat from Damage During the 2020 Hurricane Season: June 1 – November 30
While we may be a bit fatigued from preparing for the unknown, Florida’s hurricane season runs June 1st – November 30th, with the peak of the season in August and September. This is the sixth year in a row that a tropical depression has formed before the official start of hurricane season, kicking off what experts predict will be an active season.
Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane researchers are predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2020, with the likely absence of El Niño as a primary factor. Tropical and subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures are also warmer than usual, a factor supporting an active hurricane season ahead. The Weather Company calls for 18 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes.
As many south Florida boaters know from experience that it only takes one storm to cause complete destruction- so now is the best time to prepare your boat for a potential hurricane.
Top 10 Hurricane Season Boat Preparation Tips
Create a Hurricane Plan for Your Boat
The first step in preparing for hurricane season is to create a hurricane plan well before a storm approaches. When formulating a hurricane plan, always keep in mind that life comes before property. Customers are our key priority, so to ensure your safety we strongly encourage that you heed all evacuation notices issued by your local county emergency management office regardless of the vulnerability of your boat.
Know Your Boat Insurance Policy
Secure all of your important boat documents in an easily accessible location on dry land and make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date. Become familiar with your policy and contact your provider prior to a storm if you have any questions. To help with claims, take photos and videos of your boat before and after to show proof of damages, and inventory all equipment on your boat.
Get to Boat on Dry Land
The best place to store your boat during a hurricane is indoors at a dry boat storage facility, like NorthBeach Marina. If you do not have access to indoor dry storage, smaller boats under 35-feet can be safely stored on land. Whether the boat is on a trailer, next to your house, or at a dry storage parking like Happy Trailer Storage Facility, boats that are stored dry typically see less damage than those left in the water during a hurricane. Be sure to store the boat on high ground to avoid flooding and place additional jack stands along with areas of the hull that are reinforced by bulkheads. Place pieces of plywood under the stands to prevent them from sinking into the ground, and chain together jack stands to prevent them from spreading apart.
Securing Your Boat on a Trailer
Tying your boat to its trailer helps prevent it from floating away in the storm surge or flooding a hurricane brings. If you’re keeping it on a trailer outside, choose a location away from trees and electricity poles, preferably next to a building or other structure that provides a shield from the wind. Place blocks beneath the frame on either side of the wheels, and deflate the tires. Tie the boat to the trailer and secure the boat to ground the best you can.
Remove and Secure Items to Reduce Wind Damage
If you leave the boat outside during a storm, remove anything that has the potential to fly off, like covers, especially if they are expensive or custom-made. Even if the storm does not damage your boat, it is likely that your canvas will be damaged or destroyed by wind, the strain from rain collecting, or by flying debris. Boats are made to get wet, so leave it uncovered during a storm.
We also recommend that you take anything above and below deck off the boat if it is not waterproof, or if it is light enough to fly away in a heavy wind. This includes (but is not limited to) cushions, dock lines, flags, Bimini tops, and GPS/radios. Make sure to secure anything else that cannot be removed from the boat. To prevent chafing, wrap protective covering around your lines wherever the ropes touch the boat. Fully charge batteries in case the bilge pump has to work overtime, and shut off fuel lines.
Seal Openings
Seal all openings (hatches, cabinets, doors, etc.) on the boat to keep it watertight. To help keep things secure during a storm, use duct tape for an easy remedy.
Remove Drain Plugs
If you are storing your boat on dry land, remove the drain plugs. Marinas typically do this when storing. If the boat fills up with water, the added weight can negatively affect the way it sits on your trailer or dry-rack. Just remember to put the plug back in before using the boat.
Inspect the Bilge Pumps & Float Switches
Make sure your bilge pumps and bilge float switches are working and are hard-wired to your batteries. If your boat is on a lift, make sure the lift is in good working order and lift your boat higher than normal.
Securing Your Boat to at Lift
Boats on lifts are more susceptible to damage in a serious storm due to collapsing lifts, flooding, being blown off cradles, etc. If you must leave your boat on a lift, raise your boat as high as the lift allows but do not secure the boat to the lift. Secure long ropes to anchor points (do not secure to floating docks, use pilings) in case the surge lifts the boat off the lift.
Securing Your Boat to a Dock
Boats tied to docks are at greater risk than boats kept at moorings or on anchors since they suffer more windage. If you have no other option but to dock your boat, make sure your dock is in good shape and make any necessary improvements to ensure it holds up during the storm. As crunch time approaches, double or triple tie your boat to the dock. Adjust all lines to account for tide surges, the wind, and rain, and ensure each line has adequate chafe protection on the boat and at the dock cleats. Also, use buoys and fenders to protect from impact against floating debris, the dock, and seawall.
Final Advice for the Hurricane Season in South Florida
Don’t Wait
Evidence shows that boats stored on land fare better on average in a hurricane compared to boats kept in the water. If you plan on hauling your boat, coordinate in advance with your marina. Don’t wait until three days before the storm to try and secure your boat. Be prepared and stay safe.
Should you need assistance preparing your boat for the hurricane season, call us at 786-728-9988.
2019 Hurricane Season Tips for Boat Owners
Florida Hurricane season Runs June 1st – November 30th. Prepare Your Boat Now Before It’s Too Late.
Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, with peak activity typically in August and September. While we’ve been fortunate to avoid a direct hit in South Florida over the past three years, our neighbors to the north and south have not been as lucky. We saw the utter destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in the Upper Keys in 2017, and the catastrophic damage Hurricane Michael caused last year as it came ashore in the Florida Panhandle as the fourth-strongest windstorm on record to make landfall on the continental United States.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near-average 2019 season, with 9-15 named storms, 4-8 of which may become hurricanes and 2-4 that may become major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. One named storm, Andrea, formed prior to the start of the season. NOAA’s hurricane outlook is similar to Colorado State University’s, which calls for 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.
Officials underscore the fact that an average season is still “a lot of storms.” Unfortunately, many of us know from experience that it only takes one storm to cause complete destruction so now is the best time to prepare your boat for a potential hurricane.
HURRICANE SEASON BOAT PREPARATION TIPS
The first step in preparing for hurricane season is to create a hurricane plan well before a storm approaches. When formulating a hurricane plan, always keep in mind that life comes before property. Customers are our key priority at North Beach Marina, so to ensure your safety we strongly encourage that you heed all evacuation notices issued by your local county emergency management office regardless of the vulnerability of your boat.
Know Your Insurance Policy
Secure all of your important boat documents in an easily accessible location on dry land and make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date. Become familiar with your policy and contact your provider prior to a storm if you have any questions. To help with claims, take photos and video of your boat before and after to show proof of damages, and inventory all equipment on your boat.
Get on Dry Land
If you have a smaller boat under 35-feet, it is safest for the boat (and for your mental well-being) to be on land rather than in the water. Whether the boat is on a trailer, next to your house, or at a dry storage marina, boats that are stored dry typically see less damage than those left in the water during a hurricane. Be sure to store the boat on high ground to avoid flooding and place additional jack stands along with areas of the hull that are reinforced by bulkheads. Place pieces of plywood under the stands to prevent them from sinking into the ground, and chain together jack stands to prevent them from spreading apart.
Securing Your Boat on a Trailer
Tying your boat to its trailer helps prevent it from floating away in the storm surge or flooding a hurricane brings. If you’re keeping it on a trailer outside, choose a location away from trees and electricity poles, preferably next to a building or other structure that provides a shield from the wind. Place blocks beneath the frame on either side of the wheels, and deflate the tires. Tie the boat to the trailer and secure the boat to ground the best you can.
Remove and Secure Items to Reduce Windage
If you leave the boat outside during a storm, remove anything that has the potential to fly off, like covers, especially if they are expensive or custom-made. Even if the storm does not damage your boat, it is likely that your canvas will be damaged or destroyed by wind, the strain from rain collecting, or by flying debris. Boats are made to get wet, so leave it uncovered during a storm.
We also recommend that you take anything above and below deck off the boat if it is not waterproof, or if it is light enough to fly away in a heavy wind. This includes (but is not limited to) cushions, dock lines, flags, Bimini tops, and GPS/radios. Make sure to secure anything else that cannot be removed from the boat. To prevent chafing, wrap protective covering around your lines wherever the ropes touch the boat. Fully charge batteries in case the bilge pump has to work overtime, and shut off fuel lines.
Seal Openings
Seal all openings (hatches, cabinets, doors, etc.) on the boat to keep it watertight. To help keep things secure during a storm, use duct tape for an easy remedy.
Remove Drain Plugs
If you are storing your boat on dry land, remove the drain plugs. Marinas typically do this when storing. If the boat fills up with water, the added weight can negatively affect the way it sits on your trailer or dry-rack. Just remember to put the plug back in before using the boat.
Inspect the Bilge Pumps & Float Switches
Make sure your bilge pumps and bilge float switches are working and are hard-wired to your batteries. If your boat is on a lift, make sure the lift is in good working order and lift your boat higher than normal.
SECURING YOUR BOAT TO A LIFT
Boats on lifts are more susceptible to damage in a serious storm due to collapsing lifts, flooding, being blown off cradles, etc. If you must leave your boat on a lift, raise your boat as high as the lift allows but do not secure the boat to the lift. Secure long ropes to anchor points (do not secure to floating docks, use pilings) in case the surge lifts the boat off the lift.
STORING YOUR BOAT ON WATER DURING A HURRICANE
Find a Safe Harbor
If you have no choice but to leave your boat in the water during a hurricane, try to find a safe harbor to anchor, preferably off of the deep water. Once you find a safe place, look around. Are there rocks? Are you near a seawall? Is your boat anchored on a sandy bottom or a rocky ledge? What obstacles can the boat come into contact with during violent winds, storm surges, or if the boat breaks loose from its anchor? A well-protected area with the least amount of fetch is best.
Securing to a Dock
Boats tied to docks are at greater risk than boats kept at moorings or on anchors since they suffer more windage. If you have no other option but to dock your boat, make sure your dock is in good shape and make any necessary improvements to ensure it holds up during the storm. As crunch time approaches, double or triple tie your boat to the dock. Adjust all lines to account for tide surges, the wind, and rain, and ensure each line has adequate chafe protection on the boat and at the dock cleats. Also, use buoys and fenders to protect from impact against floating debris, the dock, and seawall.
FINAL TIPS FOR HURRICANE SEASON – DON’T WAIT
Evidence shows that boats stored on land fare better on average in a hurricane compared to boats kept in the water. If you plan on hauling your boat, coordinate in advance with your marina. Don’t wait until three days before the storm to make your hurricane plan. Call your local marinas and Happy Trailer Storage today to see how we can help before a storm hits.
You can take all the precautions in the world to secure your boat, but Mother Nature sometimes gets the best of us. Be prepared and stay safe. Should you need assistance preparing your boat for hurricane season, call us at (786) 728-9988.
How to Prepare Your Boat for a Hurricane
How to Prepare Your Boat for a Hurricane
The Hurricane Season in Miami runs from June 1st through November 30th. Make sure your boat is prepared to weather a storm.
The Hurricane Season is from June 1st through November 30th. Last year was one of the most destructive seasons on record with six major hurricanes, including Hurricane Irma that caused destruction throughout the entire state of Florida. Keeping this in mind, we strongly recommend having a hurricane plan in place for your boat to help prevent damages that can be caused by these storms.
For the 2018 Hurricane Season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an average year, with up to 16 named storms, and four major hurricanes. No matter how many storms we see this season; it only takes one to cause significant destruction to your vessel. With the 2018 Hurricane Season officially here, there’s no better time than now to prepare your boat to withstand a major storm.
CREATE A HURRICANE PLAN
The first step to prepare your boat for the hurricane season is to have a plan and know where you will keep it during a significant storm. The safest place to keep your boat during a hurricane is at a dry storage facility like North Beach Marina. Our in-door facility securely holds many vessels all keeping them dry and away from the hurricane force winds. You can also store your boat and trailer on dry land at your home or a boat storage facility like Happy Trailer Storage. We recommend selecting a location with minimal exposure to the wind. You can also reinforce your boat with straps for additional safety measures.
REVIEW YOUR BOAT INSURANCE
It is wise to make sure that you have all of your boat documents up to date and in an easily accessible location. Also, make sure to call your insurance company to make sure the policy is current. To help facilitate a timely insurance claim, take photos and video of your boat before and after to show proof of damages.
SECURE LOSE ITEMS
You will want to remove everything lose on the boat and remove equipment that could be damaged by a storm. These items include antennas, radios, life jackets, fishing equipment and canvas tops. If you cannot remove the electronic equipment from your boat, you can use shrink-wrap tape to protect it.
FIND A SAFE HARBOR
If you have no choice but to leave your boat in the water during a hurricane, try to find a safe harbor to anchor it. Once you locate a safe place, preferably on a canal with tall pilings that can allow your boat to rise and fall with the storm surge. You should use long ropes with fray protection and can use pilings from other dock slips to create more distance. When your boat is secure in the water, it should look like a spider in the middle of a web. You can also use buoys to protect the vessel from impact against floating debris, the dock, and seawall.
DON’T WAIT
Most importantly, don’t wait until three days before a storm strikes to prepare your boat. Should you need assistance preparing your boat for hurricane season call us at 786-728-9988.
Hurricane Season Tips For Boat Owners
Hurricane Season Tips For Boat Owners
The hurricane season in Miami runs from June 1st – November 30th. There is no better time than now to prepare your boat!
Hurricane Season in officially started June first and runs through November 30th. 2016 was the most active season since 2012. For the 2017 Hurricane Season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an active year, with up 17 named storms and 9 hurricanes. No matter how many storms we see this season; it only takes one to cause major destruction to your vessel. We are especially reminded of this as we mark the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew on August 24th. With the 2017 Hurricane Season here, there’s no better time than now to prepare your boat to make sure it is ready to withstand a major storm.
Hurricane Season Boat Preparation Tips
The first step in preparing for a hurricane is to create a hurricane plan. When formulating a hurricane plan, you must always keep in mind that “life comes before property”. At North Beach Marina, we strongly encourage that you heed all evacuation notices issued by your local county emergency management office regardless of the vulnerability of your boat.
REVIEW BOAT INSURANCE
It is wise to make sure that you have all of your boat documents in an easily accessible location and that the insurance is up to date. Also, to help with insurance claims, take photos and video of your boat before and after to show proof of damages.
Dry Boat Storage Tips
REMOVE BOAT FROM THE WATER
If you have a smaller boat, somewhere under 35’ feet, it is safest for the boat (and for your mental well-being) to get it out of the water completely. Whether the boat is on a trailer, next to your house, or at a dry storage marina, the boats that are stored dry typically see less damage than those left in the water during a hurricane.
REMOVE COVER
If you leave the boat outside during a storm it is best to leave the cover off of the boat, especially if it is expensive or custom-made. The cover on the boat will collect rainwater and strain the cover, tearing it in the process. If the cover comes loose during a storm, it will fall victim to the wind, and more than likely get ruined. Your boat was made to get wet, so let it, leave it uncovered during a storm.
REMOVE NONWATERPROOF ITEMS
We recommend that you take anything off the boat that’s not supposed to get wet, or that is light enough to fly away in a heavy wind. This includes (but is not limited to) cushions, dock lines, flags, Bimini tops, and GPS/radios. Make sure to secure anything else that cannot be removed from the boat.
SEAL OPENINGS
Seal all openings on the boat to keep it watertight (hatches, cabinets, doors, etc.). To help keep things secure during a storm, use duct tape for an easy remedy.
REMOVE DRAIN PLUGS
If you are storing your boat on dry land, remove the drain plugs out of your boat can be a good idea. If the boat fills up with water, the added weight can negatively affect the way it sits on your trailer or dry-rack. Marinas typically keep the drain plugs out, however, if your boat is on a trailer, it’s a good practice to keep the drain plug out. Just remember to put the plug back in before using the boat next!
Boat Storage Tips for the Water
FIND A SAFE HARBOR
If you have no choice but to leave your boat in the water during a hurricane, try to find a safe harbor to anchor. Once you find a safe place, hopefully, off of the deep water, look around. Are there rocks? Are you near a seawall? Is your boat anchored on a sandy bottom or a rocky ledge? What obstacles can the boat come into contact with during violent winds, storm surges, or if the boat breaks loose from its anchor?
INSPECT THE BILGE PUMPS & FLOAT SWITCHES
Make sure your bilge pumps and bilge float switches are working and are hard wired to your batteries. If your boat is on a lift, make sure the lift is in good working order and lift your boat higher than then normal.
INSPECT DOCK/ BOAT LIFT
If you are docking your boat make sure your dock is in good shape -make any needed improvements to ensure the dock holds up during the storm.
ADJUST BOAT LINES
As crunch time approaches, double tie or triple tie your boat to the dock. Also, adjust all lines for the tide surges, the wind, and rain. Also use buoys to protect from impact against floating debris, the dock, and seawall.
Final Tips for Hurricane Season
DON’T WAIT
Most importantly, don’t wait until 3 days before the storm to make your hurricane plan. Call your local marinas and Happy Trailer Rentals to see how we can help before the hurricane season hits
You can take all the precautions in the world to secure your boat, but Mother Nature sometimes gets the best of us. Make sure you to prepare and stay safe.
Should you need assistance preparing your boat for hurricane season call us at (786) 728-9988.
Hurricane Season Predications & Boat Preparation Tips
Is Your Boat Ready for the 2016 Hurricane Season in South Florida?
South Florida is no stranger to devastating hurricanes. However, the Sunshine State has gone a record ten years without a major storm touching the land of a category 3 or higher —the last hurricane being Wilma in October 2005. Have we become too complacent with our decade-long good fortune of near misses? Possibly! That’s why we have compiled a list of hurricane preparation tips and resources for you to consider this year that can help mitigate damage to your boat caused by these storms.
2016 Hurricane Season Predictions
The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season started June 1st and will run until November 30th, with the peak period between early August through the end of October.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said 2016 will be a “near-normal” hurricane season with 10 to 16 storms that could come hurtling toward the US coast this year. “This is a more challenging hurricane season outlook than most because it’s difficult to determine whether there will be reinforcing or competing climate influences on tropical storm development,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “However, a near-normal prediction for this season suggests we could see more hurricane activity than we’ve seen in the last three years, which were below normal.
Hurricane Season Boat Preparation Tips
The first step in preparing for a hurricane is to create a hurricane plan. When formulating a hurricane plan, you must always keep in mind that “life comes before property”. Riverfront Marina Fort Lauderdale strongly encourages that you heed all evacuation notices issued by your local county emergency management office regardless of the vulnerability of your boat.
Boat Storage & Trailer Tips for Hurricane Season:
- If you have a smaller boat, somewhere under 35’ feet, it is safest for the boat (and for your mental well-being) to get it out of the water completely. Whether the boat is on a trailer, next to your house, or at a dry storage marina, the boats that are stored dry typically see less damage than those left in the water during a hurricane.
- Leave the cover off of the boat, especially if it is expensive or custom-made. The cover on the boat will collect rainwater and strain the cover, tearing it in the process. If the cover comes loose during a storm, it will fall victim to the wind, and more than likely get ruined. Your boat was made to get wet, so let it, leave it uncovered during a storm.
- We recommend that you take anything off the boat that’s not supposed to get wet, or that is light enough to fly away in a heavy wind. This includes (but is not limited to) cushions, dock lines, flags, Bimini tops, and GPS/radios. Make sure to secure anything else that cannot be removed from the boat.
- Seal all openings on the boat to keep it watertight (hatches, cabinets, doors, etc.). To help keep things secure during a storm, use duct tape for an easy remedy.
- Keep the drain plugs out of your boat is also a good idea. If the boat fills up with water, the added weight can negatively affect the way it sits on your trailer or dry-rack. Marinas typically keep the drain plugs out, however, if your boat is on a trailer, it’s a good practice to keep the drain plug out. Just remember to put the plug back in before using the boat next!
Boat in the Water
If you have no choice but to leave your boat in the water during a hurricane, try to find a safe harbor to anchor. Once you find a safe place, hopefully, off of the deep water, look around. Are there rocks? Are you near a seawall? Is your boat anchored on a sandy bottom or a rocky ledge? What obstacles can the boat come into contact with during violent winds, storm surges, or if the boat breaks loose from its anchor?
If you are docking your boat make sure your dock is in good shape -make any needed improvements to ensure the dock holds up during the storm. As crunch time approaches, double tie or triple tie your boat to the dock.
Final Tips For This Year’s Hurricane Season
Finally, it is wise to make sure that you have all of your boat documents in an easily accessible location and that the insurance is up to date. Also, to help with insurance claims, keep receipts and take photos or video of your boat.
You can take all the precautions in the world to secure your boat, but Mother Nature sometimes can get the best of us. Make sure you prepare and stay safe.
Important Hurricane Resources for Boaters:
NOAA – National Hurricane Center
Spaghetti Models – Hurricane Tracking
If you have any questions or need help preparing your boat for this year’s hurricane season to contact us at (786) 728-9988.