With hurricane season and boat season running concurrently, it’s the perfect time to make sure that your boat is in the best shape for regular use as well as the possibility of a storm.

Ensure your boat’s durability well in advance of bad weather and ask a professional to check that your mooring is secure to minimize the chances of it breaking loose or sinking.

Here are some tips to secure your boat:

Take all trailers and small vessels out of the water.

Remove boat plugs or add weight to smaller boats by filling the boat up to halfway with water. Filling it all the way could cause damage.

Flatten the trailer tires.

If radio equipment can be removed, take it out. Remove outboard motor or anything that could blow away.

Store boats and trailers if possible.

Do not leave your boat on a hoist or lift. Whenever possible, boats on lifts should be stored ashore or moved to a safer location in the water.

If boats must remain outdoors, last both boat and trailer down with heavy rope or chains anchored to the ground and away from objects that could fall on them.

Support the trailer axle and prevent the trailer from rolling by placing blocks against each wheel.

If your boat must remain in the water, tie it together with other boats, at the bows and sterns separated by protective bumpers.

Do not tie boats parallel to the shore as waves often capsize or beach vessels in position.

Under no circumstances should you go out in storm conditions to check your boat.

Do not venture out to sea as long as there is an advisory, or a hurricane watch or warning in effect.

Sources: boatsafe.com, soundingsonline.com