Boat Ownership
Hurricane Preparation for Boat Owners
A Florida boat owner's hurricane plan: haul out or secure in place, lines and fenders, documents, insurance review and after-storm checks.
Last reviewed: See official sources
Every Florida boat owner needs a hurricane plan before the season starts, not when a storm is already on the forecast map. Securing a boat takes time, and haul-out slots, trailers and helpers get scarce once a storm threatens. This guide covers how to build the plan, whether to haul out or secure in place, how to rig lines and fenders, what documents to keep and what to check once the storm passes.
At a glance
- Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30; the busiest period is typically mid-August to mid-October.
- If the boat can come out of the water, the FWC recommends moving it to a safe place away from tidal waters.
- Boats that stay in the water need doubled lines, chafe gear and room for storm surge.
- Never stay aboard a recreational boat to ride out a hurricane.
- Review your insurance and marina contract before the season, not during a watch.
Build your hurricane plan before June
A good plan answers four questions: where the boat will go, who will move or secure it, how long that takes and what you will do if you are out of town. Write it down and share it with your marina and anyone who may need to act for you.
Your boat hurricane plan
- Decide where the boat goes: haul-out, trailer to a safe location, a protected hurricane hole, or secured in its slip.
- Read your marina or storage contract. Many facilities have hurricane rules and may require boats to leave or be hauled.
- Reserve a haul-out or storage spot early if your yard offers it.
- List the gear you need (extra lines, chafe protection, fenders, tie-downs) and buy it before the season.
- Name a backup person who can carry out the plan if you are away.
- Know your evacuation zone and how you will leave.
Track storms with the National Hurricane Center (opens in a new tab), which issues forecast advisories several times a day when a system is active. Forecast tracks carry real error, especially several days out, which is why the NHC stresses early decisions. The National Weather Service hurricane preparedness guide (opens in a new tab) helps with the household side of the plan.
Haul out or secure in place
Trailerable boats
If the boat can be trailered, the FWC advises hauling it out and moving it to a location as far from tidal waters as possible. Choose a spot that is not prone to flooding, away from trees and objects that can fall. Block the trailer wheels, strap the boat to the trailer and tie the trailer down to secure anchor points, and remove covers and loose gear that can catch the wind.
Boats on lifts and in dry stack
A boat left on a lift can be lifted by surge or worked loose by wind. Follow your lift maker's guidance and decide whether the boat is safer removed. For dry stack, ask the marina how its building is rated and what it does with boats on the racks when a storm approaches.
Boats that must stay in the water
Moving a large boat to a protected inland marina or hurricane hole can reduce risk, but only if you can get there well before conditions deteriorate. The NHC notes that decisions to move made too late put the vessel and crew at greater risk. If the boat stays in its slip, the next section covers how to rig it.
Lines, fenders and securing the boat
For a boat that stays in a marina berth, FWC guidance is to double all lines, rig crossed spring lines fore and aft, and attach lines high on pilings so they can allow for tidal rise and storm surge.
- Use extra, longer lines and protect every point where a line touches a chock or edge with chafe gear.
- Add fenders and fender boards where the boat could hit the dock or pilings.
- Remove everything that can catch the wind: canvas, biminis, enclosures, sails and loose gear.
- Lash down what you cannot remove, such as wheels, tillers and booms on sailboats.
- Close seacocks except those needed for cockpit drains, and make sure batteries can run bilge pumps.
- Remove valuables, electronics you can carry and important papers.
Do not stay aboard. Hurricane winds can exceed 100 mph, and tornadoes and surge come with these storms. Once the boat is secured, leave it, and follow evacuation orders from local officials.
Documentation and insurance review
Before the season, gather records in a waterproof folder or digital copies stored off the boat:
- Registration, title and documentation papers
- Hull identification number (HIN) and recent photos or video of the boat and equipment
- Insurance policy, agent contact and claim procedure
- Marina contract and its hurricane terms
- An inventory of equipment and electronics
Then read your policy. Coverage varies widely: named-storm provisions, deductibles, coverage for haul-out costs, salvage and wreck removal, and requirements such as a written hurricane plan differ by policy and insurer. Ask your agent what applies to your boat rather than assuming. For how insurance fits into your yearly budget, see What It Costs to Own a Boat in Florida.
After the storm
Wait until officials say it is safe before returning to the marina or waterfront. Docks, seawalls and ramps may be damaged, and debris and power lines may be hidden in the water.
After-storm checks
- Photograph the boat and surroundings before you move anything.
- Check lines, cleats and chafe gear; re-tie or add lines if the boat is still exposed.
- Inspect the hull, bilge, through-hulls and electrical system before running the engine.
- Pump water out and dry the boat to limit mold and corrosion.
- Contact your insurer and marina promptly and keep receipts for any work.
- Report a lost, sunk or abandoned boat to local law enforcement or the FWC.
- Watch for navigation hazards, missing markers and shoaling before going back out; see Navigation Rules and Boating Safety.
Fuel, oil or sewage spills should be reported to the proper authorities; see Environmental Rules. For storage options that reduce storm risk next season, see Boat Storage in Florida, and plan follow-up repairs with Boat Maintenance in Florida.
Official sources
Check current storm forecasts with the National Hurricane Center (opens in a new tab) and boat storm-prep guidance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (opens in a new tab). Follow evacuation orders from your county emergency management office.
Frequently asked questions
When is hurricane season in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. Most activity typically falls between mid-August and mid-October.
Should I stay on my boat during a hurricane?
No. Official guidance from the FWC and the Coast Guard is not to stay aboard or try to ride out a storm on a recreational boat. Secure the boat, then follow evacuation orders.
Is it better to haul out or leave the boat in the water?
If the boat can be trailered or hauled, the FWC advises moving it out of the water to a safe location away from tidal waters. Boats that must stay in the water need doubled lines, chafe protection and a plan for surge.
Does my boat insurance cover hurricane damage?
It depends on your policy. Named-storm coverage, deductibles and requirements such as a written hurricane plan vary, so read your policy and ask your agent before the season starts.
What should I do if my boat is damaged or missing after a storm?
Document the damage with photos, contact your insurer and marina, and report a lost or abandoned boat to local law enforcement or the FWC.
Official sources
- National Hurricane Center — Marine Safety (opens in a new tab)
- National Hurricane Center — Tropical Cyclone Climatology (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — Storm Prep Resources (opens in a new tab)
- National Weather Service — Hurricane Preparedness (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety (opens in a new tab)
Checked against these sources on . Rules change — confirm current requirements with the official source before you rely on them.
