Hurricane Charley!

[MH9371B]

I am a new boat owner this year in the Tampa area, and am a little nervous about the approaching hurricane! Anyone have any tips on securing my boat during 100+ mph winds? I have a 20' sea ray bowrider that I keep trailered in the parking lot of my apartment complex. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

find a buddy with a garage. unless you can do that, try hooking it to your car, and backing up real close to a good wall, so the air cant get up uder it..... not much else you CAN do.. i have 5 boats, all here at home....<br /><br />im crapping bricks as we speek

 

[MH9371B]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

Attaching it to car.. good idea. I guess I should find some ratchet tie-downs to secure the back end to the trailer, as well? I never drive it on the highway since the boat ramp is right next door.

 

[BillP]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

Tie the boat down using those screw in anchors. When hurricane andrew hit miami I saw several boats done this way and they survived...the houses next to them didn't. Boats are tough if you can keep them from blowing in the wind.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

You still have time, strap it onto the trailer and drive to Georgia.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

Good Luck and be careful. We're all praying up here that everyone makes it through this safe and sound with little to no injury.<br /><br />Sean

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

Yes, definately strap down the back end to the trailer and then secure the boat/trailer to the ground with some ground anchors and rachet straps. If nothing else, strap it to a tree or stout pole(s). Good luck and take care.

 

[MH9371B]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

Things turned out pretty weak here in Tampa. Got about some 20mph gusts and that was it. Not sure how anyone fared south of here...

 

[Solittle]

Re: Hurricane Charley!

We face the potential to this all the time here in Miami. The standard procedure is to put a couple of cement blocks under the trailer axle(s). Then put in the transom plug and put as much water inside the boat as you dare. The hope is that the weight if the water will keep it from blowing around. The biggest danger is from flying debris but unless you can get it inside there is not much you can do.<br /><br />I sold a 27 1/2'er six weeks before Andrew ripped through our neighborhood. While that sounds like I was lucky I probably would have been better off letting Andrew rip it apart and getting the insurance.