Hurricane preparation articles — based on our experiences — were among the first that I wrote for cruisers. Following our experiences in Hurricane Marty in 2003, I wrote about hurricane preparation (in a hurricane hole, not at sea), what anchoring systems had worked, and helping boats afterwards.
As you might guess, all the usual warnings apply and you must take responsibility for your own actions and decisions. I will not be responsible. These articles are presented just to give you information, not to tell you what to do in any particular situation. If your boat is in hurricane waters, I strongly urge you to read up on hurricane preparation and come up with a hurricane plan long before a hurricane is bearing down on you.
NOTE: Some of my articles are outdated — hurricane tracking software that’s no longer available and an anchoring study that does not include any new generation anchor — and I deliberately did not include those here.
Hurricane Preparation in Detail
- Hurricane Prep — in 2016 and 2017, I added a number of detailed articles and created an editable checklist.
Hurricane Preparation at Anchor
- Hurricane Warning — Riding Out a Big Blow at Anchor — this is my most comprehensive article and provides dozens of tips for things to do long before hurricane season as well as in preparing for one. If you only read one of my hurricane preparation articles, this is the one I recommend.
- Preparing the Galley for a Storm — Rule Number 1: Prepare above decks first! But here are a few tips so that you won’t bury all the food under the sails or have knives fly out of drawers.
From Other Sites
- Removing a Roller Furling Jib — also on CommuterCruiser.com
- Recap of Hurricane Prep for Boats in a Marina — One final checklist to make sure you’re as ready as possible, from CommuterCruiser.com.
- BoatUS: Preparing Boats & Marinas for Hurricanes (PDF) — How to create a hurricane plan for your boat, things to think about ahead of time so you’re ready.
- After the Hurricane — another great list from CommuterCruiser.com with 10 tips for checking your boat after the hurricane passes
- Lines, Snubbers, and Other Gear for Battening Down Ahead of Storms — from Practical Sailor, bringing together a great deal of their testing in one comprehensive article.
Give your boat its best chance in hurricane season:
And check out our other courses and products
Samm Souvigny on Facebook says
Thank u soo much~ was a big help in our scattered brains w a million things going other then~ wht could we have missed~ an ur quick responce~ thank you guys soo much for this page~ seems I’m viewing more n more~ thank u again~ all stay safe Xo
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
Stay safe!
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
One more “tip” — while we like a beer or wine as much as anyone, we have a rule that while we’re prepping for a storm, no alcohol. If the storm speeds up or becomes worse than forecast, we don’t need to be impaired. Once it’s past, then it’s (hopefully) time for the party . . .
Samm Souvigny on Facebook says
Lol~ I hear ya~ we normally don’t drink anyway~ but I could see needing one after all the chaos! Ill make sure to grab a bottle for after! 😉 lol
Ann Snider on Facebook says
Just called the marina we’re wintering in and we’re heading in on Saturday (storm to be here Sunday night/Monday/Tuesday). It’s REALLY protected – way more than the mouth of the harbor where we were! Yeah, it will cost us a week’s docking but that’s OK. One less thing to worry about!! We’ll secure the best we can and….that’s what insurance is for!
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
Be sure to get your jib off and check other requirements that the insurance company has. In Marty, many people found they weren’t covered because they’d left jibs and/or mains on.
Ann Snider on Facebook says
Yep – Jib will be down along with the canvas. I think we may leave the main on since that is a pain to put back up and since we’re wet storing this winter, we’d like to still get some sailing in but the jib is pretty easy. The main will be well tied down with the sail cover on. Where we will be is all the way up inside the harbor, well inland from the opening and it turns so there is land on all 4 sides other than the small channel. Our only issue would be surge and we hope the marina has high enough pilings.
The Boat Galley on Facebook says
Stay safe!
Laurie says
Hey Carolyn,
Thanks again for all you share with us. I’ve linked to you in my latest post and included a few other resources you may be interested in. Here’s a link to that post: http://www.somanybeaches.com/2013/06/04/how-to-prep-for-a-hurricane-in-texas/.
best,
Laurie
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks so much — I loved your write up of how you went through the decision process of where to put the boat, etc.
Al Felker on Facebook says
Really helpful info.
Ann Snider says
We went to the boat here on Long Island yesterday to prep and already it was really windy and would have been tricky to get the job down. Normally you have decent weather before a hurricane but not the east coast! It is crazy!
Becky Croston says
I know you will take all precautions in anticipation of a hurricane, but I worry about you and the “water home” you’ve put so much in to. … hugs.
The Boat Galley says
Thanks!
Liz Andrews says
Where are you?
Jan Bogart says
What storm shelter are you going to? “They” are calling for 10 to 15 here. It certainly is a large area of weather. We might move in the morning depending on where it is. Stay safe…xx
Jan Bogart says
If this stengthens, it could be very nasty.
The Boat Galley says
We are in the Central Exumas (Black Point Settlement), Bahamas.
Liz Andrews says
We sat out 3 days of gales there over Thanksgiving… Great shelter just off the shore…. Stay safe..
BJ Vanderveer says
Black Point is not a hurricane hole
The Boat Galley says
We are at Black Point tonight. You’re right it’s not a hurricane hole. Going to hurricane hole in AM.
BJ Vanderveer says
Where is that?, very few hurricane holes in Exumas
Barb Manning Kappe says
Be safe.
Harriet Levine Hardy says
Are you going to Warderick Wells?
Paul Daniela Herlihy says
Be safe.
Patty Thompson says
Stay safe Carolyn
Kennethand Robin Moody says
Stay safe y’all.
Thomas Jensen says
Plan B- check mooring lines, lock hatch, visit friends in Dallas.
Lynn Cryer Duggan says
Be Safe….
Delayne Rushing says
Prayers for your safety.
Katie Calkins says
Stay safe! Prayers!!
Gloria Rooney says
Be safe, prepare well, and know that we will be sending up prayers.
Diane Mercaldo says
Stay safe
Janet O'Toole says
Be safe!
Cheryl Bular says
Be safe. I’ll be watching for a posting when it blows through. We’ve been through 3 hurricanes . Do all you can, hang on and pray.
Sonja Wells says
prayers, be safe