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How to Prepare Your Boat For Storm Surge

Prepare Your Boat for Storm Surge — Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Helene created a storm surge on the west coast of Florida that had not been seen in memory. Generally, it seems to have been from 6’ to 9’ above mean high tide in most areas. The result was that some boats were carried away, and hundreds of houses in St. Pete, Tampa and towns north and south of Tampa had water rise from 2’ to 4’ on their first floor.  Clearwater Beach was particularly hard hit.

Be Prepared

Every boat owner in areas vulnerable to hurricane-induced storm surges should have a plan of action. Obviously, the best plan is to get the boat to high ground if she’s trailerable.

The next best thing is to have your boat on a substantial lift. But if the storm is well on its way, it’s a little late to be placing an order for one.  Hope your boat survives and get ready for the next one by having a boat lift installed.

For Boats on Lifts

If you have your boat on a lift, expect the surge to be higher than boat’s bottom on the lift, which in Florida are generally only 4’ to 5’ above the water. With storm surges of 7’ to 9’ that means your boat will be lifted off its bunks or cradle. If she is not tied down properly, she can float away, ending up out to sea or high and dry inland.

Here’s how to prepare a boat on a lift —

  1. Disconnect the shore power cord.
  2. Make sure your bilge pump is getting power from the battery
  3. Take all cushions or anything else moveable and stow it below or elsewhere
  4. Place fenders in areas that could possibly be damaged
  5. Consider taping protective material in places that you think could be damaged
  6. Crank your boat lift up as high as you can get it
  7. Tie crossed lines on your stern and bow to the top of the lift structure
  8. Tie spring lines on at least one side of the boat to the lift structure
  9. Leave enough slack in the lines to allow your vessel to rise to a height projected by NOAA, which is now predicting 10’ – 35’ for Milton.

Once your boat is secure, take a look at your neighbors’ boats. If they are improperly tied, you should at least notify them, if not, consider putting a couple of lines on them yourself. (Yes, we know people can be litigious if things go wrong.)

Good luck!