In this guide
The Strategic Decision: Haul-Out vs. Securing in Place
Prior to hurricane season, boat owners must develop and practice a clear operational action plan. The primary decision is determining whether to haul out, secure on a private mooring, or tie up in a marina slip or home dock basin. Because major storms routinely bring storm surge of 10 feet or more, typical seawalls and low-lying coastal land offer little protection. Hauling a boat to a dedicated boatyard storage area situated well above sea level—such as 15 feet—provides substantially greater protection than riding out high water in an exposed basin.
When contracting for storm haul-out services, check the post-storm terms. Some haul-out memberships include up to 5 days of post-storm storage on the hard, giving owners time to inspect their home slip before splashing the vessel again.
Managing Vessels on Boat Lifts and Davits
If a boat must remain on its lift, specific steps are required to prevent structural failure. First, remove the vessel's drain plug so that accumulated rainwater does not add thousands of pounds of water weight, which can overload and collapse the lift cradle. Second, both the boat and its cradle must be secured against high winds.
In-Slip Securing: Line Geometry, Chafe Gear, and Clearances
Securing a vessel in a wet slip requires accounting for extreme changes in water level, both surges and low-water blowouts. Lines must be doubled or tripled to prevent failure from wind gusts and wave action. To absorb shock and allow the boat to rise and fall without hanging on short lines, run extra-long dock lines crossed to opposite pilings or cleats. Chafing gear must be installed at all friction points where lines touch chocks, rails, or pilings.
Vessel orientation within the slip also matters. If the vessel has an extended swim platform that cannot be kept safely clear of a fixed bulkhead or seawall during surge, secure the boat with its stern pointed toward open water to prevent crushing the hull or platform.
Windage Reduction and Mooring Inspections
Topside Windage and Mooring Pre-Storm Checklist
- Remove all canvas enclosures, bimini tops, and eisenglass panels and stow them in the cabin.
- Clear and store all loose deck cushions, outdoor fabrics, and lightweight gear below deck.
- Remove or tightly wrap headsails and unreeve loose running rigging on sailing vessels.
- Wrap the mainsail securely inside its cover with spare line, or unbend the sail and stow it below.
- Inspect mooring tackle, verifying that chains and swivels are rated for the vessel's storm load.
For vessels moored out in designated anchorages or mooring fields, tackle integrity is critical. Owners must inspect swivels, shackles, and chains prior to storm season to verify that the mooring hardware is designed to withstand the heavy loads imposed by sustained cyclonic winds.
Zac's Expert Takeaways
Related Seaside Resources
See the yacht makes and models we broker when you are sizing the boat before the dock. See the Dock-to-Deck assessment where we check depth, clearance, and lift capacity against a specific vessel. See the boat lift planning guide before you commit to a lift capacity or a piling layout. See the current yacht listings if you want real draft, beam, and air-draft numbers to work from.
Frequently asked questions
Should I leave my boat on its lift during a hurricane?
Storing a boat ashore is significantly safer, as few boats left on lifts survive severe storm surge. If the boat must remain on the lift, raise the lift cables to their maximum height, pull the vessel's hull drain plug to prevent water weight overload, and strap the boat and cradle securely.
How should dock lines be set on a fixed dock ahead of a storm?
Double or triple your dock lines, using extra-long lines crossed to opposite pilings to allow the boat to rise and fall with storm surge without snapping cleats. Use bow and stern lines to control lateral movement, spring lines to control fore-and-aft movement, and install chafe protection at all contact points.
What topside items should be removed first when preparing for storm conditions?
Prioritize removing lightweight and high-windage items including bimini tops, eisenglass, cockpit cushions, and fabric enclosures. Sailboat owners should secure or remove headsails and wrap or stow the mainsail inside the cabin.