As I’m writing this, we’ve got a norther raging here in the Florida Keys. Whenever a cold front sweeps across the US, our typical easterly winds will switch to the south, then the west and finally the north.
The north winds are usually strong, preceded by a squall line, and bring chilly temperatures. So how do we prepare?
- Hurricane mooring lines and chafe gear on and double-checked.
- Decks cleared of everything that could blow away.
- Flag down so it doesn’t beat itself to death.
- Dinghy hoisted on davits so it doesn’t escape, and secured with racheting straps so it doesn’t chafe.
- Grocery shopping done yesterday — I planned meals that take long slow cooking and will keep the boat warm. Today I’m roasting a turkey breast. The boat smells wonderful and is toasty warm!
- Grabbed a shower at the marina yesterday afternoon just in case we don’t get off the boat for a day or two.
- Water tanks were topped up and batteries full.
We don’t have snow, but we do have to keep an eye on our winter weather!
P.S. It’s forecast to get down to 54 degrees (F.) tonight. Barefoot Gal may be looking for socks!
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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