How to Prepare Your Boat for Bad Weather

Boaters enjoy afternoons on the water because of how relaxing it is to rock on the waves under the sunshine. But those skies aren't always sunny and blue. Storms, hurricanes and other forms of bad weather can do some real damage to your boat if you're not prepared in advance. How do you prepare?

As long as your boat is in the water, it's vital that you stay current with the weather forecasts for the area. If bad weather is predicted in the near future, it's time to take action.

If possible, it's best to pull your boat out of the water to protect it from storm-related damage. However, there are times when you have no choice but to leave your boat in the water. In that case, you must batten the hatches, which consists of:

Remove all items that are not permanently attached to your boat, which can get lost or become damaging projectiles during a storm. This includes kitchen appliances, small electronics, seat cushions, life jackets etc.
Secure the hatches and portholes.
Detach or cover the windscreens.
Collect tires or other impact-absorbing items that you can lash to your boat at potential contact points.
Drop an anchor or two.

All of these actions help secure your boat (and your belongings stored on the boat) against possible damages. Perform these duties as far in advance as possible to ensure that you have time to complete the list before the storm hits.

One of the most important things to remember is never to sail out when a storm is approaching. You're much safer on dry land, even if your boat sustains minor damage at the marina. In fact, that's what boat insurance is for!

Cover your vessel today. Call Auto Insurance Discounters at (816) 252-2255 for more information on Kansas City boat insurance.

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