Hurricane Prep

Hurricanes are a fact of life in most cruising grounds. Preparing for one starts long before it's ever predicted, in the off-season.

We've taken two direct hits by hurricanes -- Category 1 Marty and Category 4 Irma -- with zero damage to our boat. I've studied how to give a boat the best possible chance and want to help you protect your boat.

You can find all my articles on hurricane prep and cruising in season below. A good place to start is How To Prepare A Boat For A Major Hurricane.

Hurricane Season Options

Published on July 13, 2021; last updated on July 7, 2021 by Nica Waters

Exploring the factors that go into deciding where to spend hurricane season, and sharing our decision for this year.
[More] Hurricane Season Options

Improve Your Boat’s Odds in a Hurricane

Published on June 4, 2021; last updated on June 20, 2021 by Carolyn Shearlock

Give your boat every chance to survive a hurricane. Follow these 11 tips to help it through. [More] Improve Your Boat’s Odds in a Hurricane

Hurricane Prep: Why Remove Jibs and Genoas

Published on July 31, 2020; last updated on July 31, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

Why simply tying off your roller furling jib or genoa isn’t sufficient for a tropical storm or hurricane — pictures of the results. [More] Hurricane Prep: Why Remove Jibs and Genoas

How To Prepare A Boat For A Major Hurricane

Published on June 1, 2020; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How to prepare your boat for a hurricane, with ten things you absolutely must do and why. Give your boat a fighting chance! [More] How To Prepare A Boat For A Major Hurricane

Making a Hurricane Plan for your Insurer

Published on March 28, 2020; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/Laura Lindstrom-Croop

If you’re cruising on your boat in a hurricane zone, your insurance company will want to see your hurricane plan. Here’s how to create yours from an insurance pro. [More] Making a Hurricane Plan for your Insurer

Deciding To Haul Out For A Hurricane – No Regrets

Published on August 31, 2019; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock/Pamela Douglas Webster

A hurricane is coming. It may or may not reach your location. How do you make a decision and own it? Here’s one cruiser’s story. [More] Deciding To Haul Out For A Hurricane – No Regrets

Preparing for Florence

Published on October 16, 2018; last updated on October 11, 2018 by Nica Waters

Hurricane preparation is part mental and part physical. Learn about how we dealt with both as we prepared our 28′ sailboat for Florence. [More] Preparing for Florence

What Makes a Boat Survive a Hurricane?

Published on September 14, 2018; last updated on September 9, 2018 by Carolyn Shearlock

Hurricane Irma hit Boot Key Harbor with a vengeance. Why did Barefoot Gal survive without a scratch when so many boats were destroyed? My thoughts on what was different here. [More] What Makes a Boat Survive a Hurricane?

7 Things When You’re Preparing for a Hurricane

Published on April 27, 2018; last updated on May 15, 2018 by Carolyn Shearlock

Maybe a hurricane will hit, maybe it won’t. Maybe it’ll weaken. Seven things to really take to heart when preparing for a possible hurricane. [More] 7 Things When You’re Preparing for a Hurricane

Cruising in Hurricane Season

Published on January 5, 2018; last updated on June 12, 2020 by Carolyn Shearlock

How we cruise in hurricane-prone areas right through hurricane season. It’s not for everyone, but there are ways to reduce the risk. [More] Cruising in Hurricane Season