Hurricane prep checklist for Florida boaters

Hurricane prep timeline at a glance

Use this as the one-screen version of the plan. Each stage has its own section below.

The two NHC alerts drive the middle of the timeline. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible and is issued 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected. A hurricane warning means they're expected and comes 36 hours ahead. Those windows are shorter than they sound. The NHC's guidance for mariners says waiting for a watch may not leave enough time to move a boat safely, because tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain arrive in outer rain bands hours before the center. Ramps, haul-out lifts and highways all fill up at once.

So the real deadline is earlier than the alert. If your plan involves a trailer, a haul-out or a drive inland, start moving when a storm first shows a credible track toward your coast. Securing a boat in its slip is slower than most owners expect, so start that early too.

What to do at the start of hurricane season

Spring is when you have time, contractors and storage space. Do these five things before June 1.

1. Review your boat insurance.Check for hurricane haul-out, salvage, wreck removal and fuel-spill coverage. Some insurers pay part of the cost of having a professional move or prepare your boat once a watch is issued.
2. Write a plan.Where will the boat ride out a storm, who moves it and how long does that take? Include contacts for your marina, insurer and service. Marinas and storage fill fast once a storm is named.
3. Make a communication plan.Pick one point person to share updates with family or boating partners. A handheld VHF radio is a good backup.
4. Document the boat.Photograph and video the boat and gear from every angle and save it online. It speeds up an insurance claim.
5. Service the engine and check safety gear.Make sure the engine runs well and life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers and signals are in good shape.

If you keep the boat at a marina, get a copy of its hurricane plan and read your contract alongside it. Florida law (section 327.59) bars marinas from forcing owners to remove boats after a watch or warning. It does let a marina contract say that if you don't move your boat promptly after a watch, the marina may move or secure it and charge you a reasonable fee. Know which applies to you, and give the marina an emergency contact who can act if you're out of town.

If your plan depends on a trailer, treat the trailer as safety equipment. BoatUS warns that a boat won't get far on a neglected trailer with flat tires and rusted wheel bearings. Check tires, bearings, lights and the tow vehicle's hitch in spring, not the day a cone appears on the forecast map. Then gather the supplies below.

Where is a boat safest in a hurricane?

BoatUS has studied boat damage after every major hurricane since Alicia in 1983, and its insurance claim files show that in most cases boats are safer out of the water. The NHC agrees that boats hauled out generally suffer less damage than boats left in the water. Here is how the usual Florida options compare.

On a trailer, moved inland

For most small open boats, this is the best choice. The NHC notes that low freeboard on a small open boat will almost always be overcome by waves, spray and rain if it's left in the water. Tow it well away from tidal water and surge zones, and park it where it's sheltered from wind and falling trees. BoatUS even suggests a garage spot for the boat rather than the car, since a boat is lighter and more vulnerable to wind.

In dry stack

Better than the water, but not a guarantee. The NHC warns that marinas themselves can be destroyed, including vertical stacking, especially on barrier islands, and suggests considering moving small boats from racks onto trailers to be towed inland. Ask your dry-stack marina what it does when a storm approaches and whether you can pull your boat.

On a lift

When BoatUS asked its catastrophe team members where they wouldn't want their boat in a hurricane, nearly all said on a hoist or lift. Surge can float a boat off its cradle. If it must stay there, BoatUS advises removing the drain plug so rainwater doesn't build up enough weight to collapse the lift, and tying the boat securely to the lift so it can't swing or drift.

In a slip or at anchor

If the boat has to stay in the water, FWC advises doubling all lines, rigging cross-spring lines fore and aft and tying high on the pilings to allow for surge. At anchor, move to the most protected spot you can find and set multiple anchors at a scope of at least 10:1. A canal lined with mangroves usually beats an exposed dock.

What to do when a hurricane is coming

The earlier you act on a forecast, the better your odds. These steps assume you've already chosen where the boat rides out the storm; if that means hauling out or trailering inland, see the evacuation section below.

1. Take valuables and safety gear off.Electronics, documents and anything you can't replace go somewhere dry ashore. FWC also says to remove EPIRBs, life rings and life jackets and store them indoors.
2. Remove anything that can blow away.Canvas, cushions, loose gear, antennas and outriggers. Less on deck means less wind load and fewer flying objects.
3. Double your lines and add chafe gear.Inspect every line and fender and add extra lines for surge and wind. FWC suggests wrapping lines where they pass through chocks with tape and rubber hose, and the NHC recommends garden hose over the line as a chafe guard.
4. Seal it up.Close and secure hatches, windows and doors. Tape or shutters help keep water out.
5. Top off the tanks.The NHC's guidance for marine interests says to fill fuel and water tanks and shut off the fuel valve nearest the tank. Store spare fuel ashore, not aboard.
6. Disconnect shore power and power the bilge pumps.Unplug to avoid electrical damage. Charge batteries so they can run automatic bilge pumps through the storm, consider backup batteries and shut off everything else that draws power.
7. On a trailer, tie it down.Let some air out of the tires and block the wheels, strip loose gear and canvas, lash the boat to the trailer and secure the trailer to trees or ground anchors. On a lighter outboard boat, consider leaving the drain plug in and adding water with a hose for weight, with wood blocks between the trailer frame and springs to carry it.

Chafe and windage go wrong most often. A line rubbing on a chock or piling through a long night will part, so protect every point of contact. Every cushion, canvas top and loose rod holder catches wind and can become a projectile, so take it all off.

What to do if you need to evacuate

If your county orders an evacuation, people come first and boats a distant second. Secure the boat only if there's time to do it and still leave safely.

• Plan early. Know your evacuation zone and route; expect traffic and fuel shortages.
• Move the boat first if that's the plan. Haul out to hurricane-rated dry storage or trailer it to a sheltered spot away from trees and surge, before evacuation traffic fills the roads and ramps.
• Otherwise secure it in place if there's time, using the steps above.
• Tell your marina where you're going and how to reach you.
• Follow local orders. Your county emergency management office sets evacuation zones and timing.

FWC is direct about this: never ride out a hurricane or tropical storm aboard an anchored, moored or docked boat, and don't venture out into rough conditions, which puts first responders at risk too. Hurricanes can bring winds over 100 mph, tornadoes, high water and waves. Find shelter information at FloridaDisaster.org.

Leaving the boat is not the same as abandoning it. The NHC notes that insurance coverage could be questioned if you abandon a boat at a marina without trying to secure it. It also says money you spend protecting the boat is usually reimbursable, so keep receipts and take photos of what you did. If you hired a captain or caretaker to secure the boat, make sure the marina has their number.

What to do after the hurricane

The first days after a storm are often more dangerous on the water than the storm itself. FWC warns of floating and submerged debris such as pilings and trees, new shoals and sandbars, and missing or damaged navigation markers. Go slowly, stay clear of areas where first responders are working, and expect that your usual channel may have changed.

1. Wait for the all-clear.Don't go to the boat until local officials say it's safe.
2. Photograph before you fix.Document all damage and water intrusion before cleaning or moving anything.
3. Check for leaks.Look for fuel and oil leaks and deal with them right away.
4. Pump the bilge.Make sure the pump works and remove standing water.
5. Don't start a wet engine.If you have any doubt about the engine or electrical system, have it inspected before you start it.
6. Call your insurer.Start the claim with your photos and equipment list, then book a service inspection.

A few more points. Call 911 or use VHF channel 16 for distress; don't rely on social media for life-threatening emergencies. Report missing or damaged waterway markers, and report storm-damaged boats that may be lost or abandoned to local law enforcement or FWC. If a salvage company or marina wants to move your damaged boat, don't sign any contract yourself; tell your insurer and let them negotiate. If you plugged the engine's exhaust ports before the storm, remove the plugs before you start it.