The Importance of Planning Where to Put Your Boat for a Hurricane

Do you know where to put your boat for a hurricane? A place where your boat could survive a direct hurricane hit? Well, I have some thoughts for you.

Hurricane Experience

Our boat has weathered two direct hits—Hurricanes Marty (Cat 1, 2003) and Irma (Cat 4, 2017)—with minimal damage. Additionally, it has been within 50 miles of the center of at least a dozen other storms.

Since 2003, I’ve studied why some boats survive hurricanes with minimal damage while others – not so far away – are totaled. I’ve learned that choosing the right place to put your boat and then ensuring that she stays there are keys to having your boat survive a hurricane.

Location is Key

Too many boaters don’t make a conscious decision about where to put their boat for a hurricane forecast for their area. Articles on hurricane prep often focus on securing the boat but not on choosing a safe location initially. All the preparation is futile if the spot isn’t safe to begin with. It’s essential to make an informed decision about where to place your boat well before a storm is forecast as it can significantly increase the chances of your boat surviving a hurricane with minimal damage.

I see the same thing with hurricane plans required by insurance companies: they ask where the boat will be kept, but rarely about why that location was chosen or what features make it a good choice. Then they ask for the details of how the boat will be prepped. When insurance companies discuss location, they talk about broad geographic locations, such as “north of the Florida/Georgia line” or “not above 12⁰ N.”

And yet, in storm after storm, we see almost total destruction of boats in one marina or boatyard while boats just a mile or two away largely survived.

It’s not just luck.

It’s possible to predict which places will fare best.

Factors to Consider

We tend to think of hurricanes as being about wind, since that’s how they are classified. Actually, they’re a combination event of wind, waves, surge, rain, and debris. All of these must be considered when picking the spot for your boat, along with factors like ability to get there and evacuation options.

The more information you have about various possible places in your area, the better decision you can make. Don’t just rely on a friend’s assessment or photos on a website. Look at everything to see how protected or open the location is to damage from each of the damaging forces.

Each site has its pros and cons. No single factor outweighs the others. It’s the combination of protections that will determine your boat’s safety, considering the specific storm’s details. For instance, a location might be well-protected from wind but vulnerable to storm surge. Balancing these factors is key to selecting the best spot.

Decide on the best location for your boat long before a storm is forecast. Choose your spot, know how long it takes to get there, program the route into your navigation system, and do the same for a backup location. This preparation ensures you can act quickly and efficiently when a storm approaches.

Learning More

Want to learn more about how to assess various locations – boat yards, marinas, anchorages, and other options – for their ability to protect your boat in a hurricane? I offer an in-depth step-by-step blueprint for everything storm related, from choosing your spot and how to make sure your boat stays there, to weather watching and dangers after the storm.

Ready to learn more? Take our on-demand written online course with loads of pictures, Comprehensive Hurricane Prep for Boaters. Go through the materials at your own pace, on your own schedule. Refer back to it as often as you want with lifetime access, including all updates. $59. Sign up here.

Give your boat its best chance in hurricane season: