Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

Boaters need to batten down the hatches in Florida and Southeast

by BoatUS 25 Sep 2022 00:14 BST
BoatUS says storing a boat ashore and taking additional measures, such as tying it down, may reduce the potential for hurricane damage © Amy Beth Krisanda

Tropical Depression No. 9 is bearing down on Florida's Gulf Coast and Southeast and forecast to reach a significant strength - potentially Category 3. The nation's advocacy, services and safety group for boaters, Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS), is urging boaters to prepare. A range of free recreational boat-, yacht club-, and marina-preparation information is available at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes.

"While 'battening down the hatches' is part of storm preparations, even more important is trying to get your boat hauled and stored ashore where it has a better chance surviving a storm. If that's not possible, focus on whatever measures you can take now to ensure your boat has a greater chance for survival while in the water," said BoatUS vice president of Public Affairs Scott Croft.

Offered at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes is an extensive library of hurricane-preparation videos and BoatUS Magazine articles containing proven tips and techniques amassed from nearly four decades of catastrophe recovery experience. "How to Find and Fix Potential Breaking Points on Your Boat" and "How Not to Read a Hurricane Map" are just a couple of the helpful short reads available.

More extensive downloadable guides include "BoatUS Magazine Hurricane Preparations" and "Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes." The easy-to-download "BoatUS Hurricane Preparation Worksheet" is a great checklist to have while getting a hurricane plan in place. The website also features an Active Storm Tracker. To help keep boaters up to date on the direction and intensity of incoming storms, the BoatUS App offers text alerts anywhere you go.

Croft also adds that boat owners should check their boat insurance policies for hurricane haulout coverage that may share the cost to remove the boat and store it ashore. "All GEICO marine insurance policies will pay half of the storm preparation haulout charges, up to $1,000, to professionally haul or protect your boat in preparation for an NOAA-named storm. This makes the decision to haul out that much easier."

Related Articles

Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Series at Midland
In retrospect a strange experience to have on one's day off Fifteen boats ventured out to Midland Sailing Club to sail in conditions only those with sufficient mettle can tolerate on Sunday 18th May. Posted today at 6:36 pm
Yachting World Dayboats at Bosham
Racers discover a part of the harbour the home fleet rarely visit The fourteen-boat fleet that gathered for this year's Bosham SC Yachting World Dayboat Open meeting over the weekend of the 17th and 18th May enjoyed champagne sailing conditions. Four visiting boats joined the home fleet. Posted today at 6:26 pm
CIC Normandy Channel Race day 3
Another 6 retirements after the entire day in meaty conditions The 16th CIC Normandy Channel Race fleet has spent the entire day navigating meaty conditions. The 25-30 knots of SW'ly wind and heavy seas in the area have made it a real slog to gain access to the Wolf Rock mark. Posted today at 5:26 pm
A Fresh Take on Doublehanded Dinghy Sailing
The Melges 15 delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility The Melges 15 is redefining what sailors can expect from a modern, doublehanded dinghy. Since its launch, the boat has gained momentum across America and Europe for one simple reason — it delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility. Posted today at 4:00 pm
Chelmarsh SC visits Dovey SC
Annual weekend away to Aberdyfi Chelmarsh Sailing Club held its annual sailing weekend at Aberdyfi, hosted by Dovey Yacht Club. An event in its 27th year which has become a cherished tradition, offering both racing and camaraderie against the stunning backdrop of the Dyfi estuary. Posted today at 3:03 pm
505s at Hayling
Frankly the top reach required more rugby skills than sailing Ten intrepid teams gazed across Chichester Harbour, under the board-stiff flags flying off the Hayling clubhouse — the wind gods offering early hints of what was in store for the weekend: West-South-Westerly winds at 20-24 knots and a big, steep swell. Posted today at 2:39 pm
RORC Myth of Malham concludes
French mastery and family firepower light up the podium First held in 1958, the Myth of Malham Race has built a rich legacy for more than six decades of offshore racing. The 2025 edition proudly joins the ranks of its most memorable chapters. Posted today at 1:05 pm
Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships
Carrickfergus hosts inaugural event after local fleet resurgence The weekend of 24th - 25th May saw the Inaugural Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships hosted by Carrickfergus Sailing Club. Saturday morning started an overcast day with the wind 15 kts gusting into the late teens/early twenties. Posted today at 12:18 pm
Osprey Scottish and Northern Championship
Hosted by Coniston SC as part of the Toplex / PHG Open Regatta The Osprey Scottish & Northern Champions was hosted by Coniston SC as part of the 2025 Toplex / PHG Coniston Sailing Club Open Regatta on 24th & 25th May 2025. The Ospreys were part of the Fast Handicap fleet of 18 boats. Posted today at 12:07 pm
International sponsor 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race
The event will take place on 13th-14th September 2025 at Southport Marine Lake West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC) is thrilled to announce International yacht paint as the headline sponsor for the 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race, the UK's premier dinghy sailing endurance event. Posted today at 11:37 am