Cape Coral, FL and its surrounding areas often experience hurricane watches and warnings. Boat owners and yacht owners should always prepared when there is an incoming hurricane. Being informed about boat hurricane preparations is vital.
Hurricane disaster dos and don’ts can save lives when properly applied. Preparing can prevent harm to houses, property, and people. Before, during, and after a big one hits, making the right choices can avert disaster.
First, let’s talk about the dos.
Do: Strap Down Your Boats Ashore
Store your boat ashore by strapping it down using an anchor such as helical anchors drilled into the surface to hold your boat in place. If you keep your boat ashore without securing your boat with an anchor, the jack stands can come loose due to rocking back and forth and result in damaged bulkheads and hulls. If you have no time to tow and haul your boat, you need to call a professional boat towing and hauling company Cape Coral.
Do: Use Floating Docks and Tall Pilings
Marinas are most affected by hurricanes. If a hurricane destroys your boat dock, you are better off at rebuilding your boat dock with a floating dock and 16 to 18 feet tall pilings. Floating docks will protect your boat because they allow them to rise and fall with the movements of water and gust without stressing and stretching the lines.
The likelihood of your boat sustaining damage if docked on a fixed boat dock is higher than if docked on a floating dock. If your floating dock with tall pilings is installed at a well-sheltered marina, we suggest adding additional lines and stripping anything that may cause windage.
Do: Store Your Boat Ashore on Higher Ground
We recommend that you store your boat ashore on higher ground. The higher the ground, the more secure your boat will be during hurricane season. Call Cape Coral Towing & Recovery to transport your boat.
Do: Make Sure Your Boat is Insured
A boat that is damaged by a hurricane can wind up costing far more to fix than an insurance policy costs annually.
Do: Review Your Marine Insurance Policy, Especially its Hurricane Season Provisions
Boat owners whose insurance requires them to relocate their vessels out of a hurricane zone should do so by the date specified in their policy.
And now, let’s discuss the don’ts:
Don’t: Use Floating Docks with Short Pilings
If your floating dock has short pilings, it is likely not to survive hurricane season. If you have a floating dock with short pilings, you should take it out of the water or move to a more sheltered area.
Don’t: Use Low-lying Seawall to Protect Boats
If a low-lying seawall protects your boat, it will not hold up during a hurricane. If the water rises above the seawalls, it will cause severe damage to your boats regardless of how well you have secured them to your boat dock. You are advised to move and secure your boat with an anchor ashore or move them to another marina or a location that offers better protection from the hurricane.
Don’t: Use Cramped and Stationary Boat Docks
If the slip for your boat is too tight, you will have a harder time securing the dock lines during hurricane season. If the slip is too loose, it will cause your boat to slam into the pilings. As an additional measure, add devices to the nylon lines or pilings. The device will help the boat rise and fall during the hurricane.
Don’t: Battery is Still Connected
If it is in a facility with shore power, be sure all power is turned off and all shore power cords are stowed securely.
When hurricane season comes to your area, you will be prepared. For more information on boat towing and hauling in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, and Estero, contact Cape Coral Towing and Recovery at 239-458-3333 for a free boat towing and hauling rate quote today!
Our boat towing service is offered 24 hours of the day! Cape Coral Towing & Recovery Inc. offers emergency towing services including emergency roadside assistance and roadside assistance service in Southwest Florida. You can count on us by reaching us on 239-458-3333 today!
