How To Protect Your Boat From Harsh Weather

Now that summer is here, you’re ready to take out your boat for outings during warm sunny days and cool nights. But not all the weather during the summer is pleasant. Instead, storms and hurricanes can be downright destructive to your boat. Read below to learn tips on how to protect your boat from harsh weather.

Remove Electronics and Avoid Power Surges

If you get an alert that a hurricane or storm is on its way and you have time to prepare your vessel safely, you should turn off the electrical system and take out its battery. That will prevent your boat from experiencing a fire or other damage.

It would help if you also disconnected power cords to prevent any power surges that the storm may cause. Otherwise, you may have to pay a hefty sum to make repairs.

Drop Your Anchors and Position Your Bow

If you must keep your boat in the water during a hurricane, you can protect it by dropping two anchors with the lines 10 times longer than the water depth at your mooring location. It would help if you also face your bow toward the prevailing winds.

Remove and Tie Down Equipment

Another tip for protecting your boat from harsh weather is to move any equipment that you can detach. This will prevent it from causing damage during the hurricane. But when it comes to things that you cannot move, such as your booms, wheels, and tillers, tie those down.

Protect Your Lines

During a storm, your boat will move with the water, which can cause its lines to chafe against edges and eventually snap. You can stop this by applying a protective covering where the lines touch your boat. You can even use denim from old jeans to protect your lines because the material is quite strong.

Wrap It Up

When you put your boat into storage at the end of the summer, don’t ignore any of your protective instincts. Instead, ensure you encase it with heat shrink wrap when you store it. Although you may think you should use a tarp, the shrink wrap can provide better protection against harsh weather.

One of the basics of heat shrink wrap is its waterproof capabilities that provide an air-tight seal for your vessel. It is also highly durable, allowing it to the harsh weather conditions and prevent sun damage.

With these tips, you can prevent Mother Nature from causing damage that will prevent you from enjoying another fun trip on the water.