Securing Your Boat: Dock Tying Techniques For Hurricanes

Hurricane season can be a stressful time for boat owners, with many left wondering how best to secure their boats to withstand the heavy rainfall, storm surges, and strong winds that come with these extreme weather events. While the best option is to move your boat inland to a dry storage facility, this is not always possible, and there are several alternative precautions you can take to minimize potential damage.

Use long dock lines

Using long dock lines is essential when securing your boat to a fixed dock during a hurricane. The longer the lines, the more stretch they have, reducing the risk of shock loads causing cleat failure. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations for using long dock lines:

• Avoid short lines: Do not use short breast lines for the bow and stern. Instead, opt for longer dock lines that provide more stretch and help absorb the impact of waves and winds.
• No excessively slack lines: While it is important to use long dock lines, avoid leaving too much slack. Excessive slack can cause the boat to build momentum and increase shock loads. Only give as much slack as needed to accommodate water level changes and ensure the boat rides smoothly.
• Utilise all available cleats: Maximise the number of cleats in use on both the boat and the dock to spread the load and reduce the risk of failure.
• Avoid single points of failure: Tie the boat in a way that ensures the failure of any single line or cleat will not put the boat in danger. This is especially important for dock cleats of unknown strength.
• Secure with multiple anchors: If possible, use multiple anchors to secure your boat. This provides redundancy and helps keep the boat safely in place.
• Prepare for potential line failure: Anticipate that at least one line, cleat, or piling may fail during the hurricane. Provide a backup for each line by running another line in the same direction but with different attachment points.
• Protect lines from chafing: Use protective sleeves, such as surplus fire hose material, at friction points to prevent lines from chafing and reduce the risk of line failure.
• Tie to pilings: When securing long dock lines, tie them to pilings or other fixed structures rather than floating docks. This provides a more secure connection that can better withstand the forces of a hurricane.
• Consider line lead: Be mindful of the line lead angle. Longer lines improve the lead angle, reducing the strain on the cleats and decreasing the likelihood of breakage.
• Practice and prepare: If you store your boat in a hurricane-prone area, practice tying up and devising a dock plan for effective hurricane line management. Being prepared and familiar with the process can increase your boat's chances of surviving a hurricane.

Avoid single points of failure

When tying a boat to a dock in preparation for a hurricane, it is important to avoid single points of failure. This means that the boat should be tied in such a way that if one line or cleat fails, the boat will not be in danger. Here are some tips to avoid single points of failure:

• Use all available cleats: Maximize the number of cleats on both the boat and the dock that are in use to spread the load. This will help distribute the forces acting on the boat and dock more evenly, reducing the risk of any single component failing.
• No short lines: Longer lines have more stretch and reduce the risk of shock loads causing cleat failure. Avoid using short breast lines bow and stern, except as backup lines left slack.
• No excessively slack lines: Too much slack allows the boat to build momentum and increases shock loads. Only give as much slack as needed to accommodate water level changes and to allow the boat to ride comfortably.
• Double up on lines: Use multiple lines for added security. This will create a backup in case one line fails, and it will also help distribute the load more evenly.
• Use reliable knots: Use strong and reliable knots like the cleat hitch or bowline knot. Ensure the lines are taut but not overly tight, allowing some movement to absorb the impact of winds and waves.
• Anticipate failure: Assume that at least one line, cleat, or piling will fail, and plan accordingly. For example, you can use a fire hose as a protective sleeve along friction points to protect lines from chafing.
• Brace your lift: If you are using a boat lift, reinforce the support structures to withstand high winds and impacts. Add extra bracing, reinforce joints, and tighten all bolts and connections.

Remove sails and other items that could become sails

Removing sails and other items that could catch the wind is crucial when preparing your boat for a hurricane. Sails, in particular, must be taken down, as they can cause immense damage if left up during a hurricane. Even a small exposed edge of sail can be enlarged by hurricane-force winds, putting substantial pressure on your lines and ground tackle. This can cause your boat to "sail" and crash into other boats and docks, creating a chain reaction of destruction.

In addition to sails, biminis, dodgers, flags, decorative lights, MOB devices, port covers, and cockpit cushions should also be removed and stored safely inside the saloon or ashore. These items increase windage and can be lost or become damaging projectiles during a hurricane.

It is also important to secure or remove any items that could become dangerous projectiles in high winds, such as patio furniture, trash and recycling bins, building materials, and signage.

Remember to inspect your boat thoroughly and remove or secure anything that could catch the wind or become a projectile. By doing so, you can significantly reduce the potential for damage to your boat and surrounding structures during a hurricane.

Store your boat in a garage if possible

If you have a garage, storing your boat there is a good option to protect it from hurricanes. This is especially true if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, such as the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Before storing your boat, there are several things you should do to prepare it for the hurricane season. Firstly, decide on a storage location that is well inland and at high elevation. If possible, opt for a location behind a lock or near a large estuary that can act as a buffer against storm surges. It is also important to choose a storage facility that provides hurricane anchors to secure your boat to the ground. Additionally, ensure that the facility has gravel under the jack stands or, even better, concrete.

Once you have selected a suitable storage location, there are several steps you should take to prepare your boat for storage:

• Reduce windage by removing sails, canvas, and any other items that could catch the wind.
• Clean and wax your boat to remove any corrosive salts and protect it from UV damage.
• Treat stainless steel components with a metal wax to prevent staining and rusting.
• Clean and polish clear panels on your dodger.
• Replace running rigging with messenger lines to prevent damage from wind, dirt, or sun exposure.
• Unstep the mast to reduce wind stress and increase the chances of your boat remaining upright during a hurricane.
• Install a mast plug and a "mini-mast" to support a UV cover.
• Secure the control line to the bottom of the mast plug to keep downward pressure and ensure a watertight seal.
• Cover your boat with a UV cover to protect it from sun exposure and moisture.
• Rinse and dry all lines and sails to remove corrosive salts and prevent mildew and rot.
• Decide whether to keep your water tanks full or empty—consider the risk of bacteria growth in either scenario.
• Fill your fuel tank to prevent condensation and the formation of bacteria.
• Plug thru-hulls with a screen to prevent critters from entering the boat, except for the galley sink drain to allow for dehumidifier drainage.
• Remove the rudder plug to allow the rudder to dry out.
• Steam clean cushions to remove embedded salts and prevent a sticky feeling.
• Clean and polish wood surfaces to keep mould at bay and maintain shine.
• Lubricate portlight gaskets and install covers to protect them from sun exposure and keep them supple.
• Flush the engine with fresh water and drain it to prevent saltwater damage.
• Spray the engine with a corrosion inhibitor to protect metal components.
• Lubricate o-rings on the propeller, cover it with a plastic bag, and top off the grease.
• Install sacrificial dorade covers to protect your teak dorade vents.
• Remove all food and clothing to prevent spoilage and pest attraction.
• Vacuum pack any fabrics remaining on the boat to prevent mould and mildew.
• Set up a dehumidifier to control moisture levels and prevent mould and mildew growth.
• As a backup for the dehumidifier, fill buckets with sodium chloride tablets to absorb moisture in case of power loss.
• Place tea tree oil gel around the boat to kill mould, mildew, and odours.
• Install a companionway cover to block UV light from entering the boat.
• Tidy up underneath the boat and secure any loose items to prevent them from catching wind or blowing away.

Following these steps will help to protect your boat from potential damage during a hurricane. However, it is important to recognise that there are no guarantees when it comes to the destructive forces of nature. Choosing a safe storage location and thoroughly preparing your boat will give you the best chance of minimising damage and ensuring the safety of your vessel.

Use reinforced jack stands

Reinforced jack stands are a good option for securing your boat during a hurricane. This method requires similar preparation to using a trailer. Make sure to get the correct jack stand for your boat's hull—you'll need either a Standard Flat Jack Stand or a Keel Jack Stand.

If your boat is on jack stands on dirt or ground, you can reinforce the stands with chains and plywood. Drive rebar into the ground and use tie-down straps to tie the boat down to the rebar. This will prevent the boat from shifting or lifting on the jack stands. You can also drill holes in plywood pads and drive spikes into the ground to keep the stand's base from moving.

If your boat is on jack stands on asphalt, the yard may be able to secure the boat with guy lines to an eye or similar in the asphalt.

Frequently asked questions