September 12, 2024

Written by ShoreMaster Marketing

Everything You Need to Know About Boat Lift Hurricane Preparation: How to Tie Boat to Lift for Hurricane

Hurricane season can be an emotional rollercoaster for boat owners, with anxiety over potential damage to vessels and their financial implications causing significant stress. While moving the boat inland into a dry storage facility is always the best safety precaution, unfortunately, doing the same for the lift isn’t always possible. Below, we discuss the primary considerations and provide essential tips and techniques for preparing your boat lift for hurricane season.

Introduction to Boat Lift Hurricane Preparation  

In the US, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with peak activity typically occurring from mid-August to mid-October. The cyclones formed during this period bring heavy rainfall, storm surges, and devastating winds that can wreak havoc on boats and docking systems. In 2022, Hurricane Ian left boats piled up as it ripped a Fort Myers, Florida marina to shreds (Fox Weather, 2022). 

Fortunately, NOAA’s National Weather Service issues hurricane warnings, giving you at least 36 hours to prepare. We always recommend trailering your boat and moving it into safe storage as soon as the warning is announced. If removing your boat from the lift and moving it into dry storage isn’t possible, securing the lift with heavy-duty straps and additional dock lines can help minimize the risk of damage from storm surges and high winds. 

Understanding Hurricane Season and Its Impact on Boats  

The areas in the United States most affected by hurricane season include the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. These regions are particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, which can fuel the development and intensification of hurricanes. 

Hurricanes can have devastating effects on boats left in the water. Heavy rainfall, storm surges, and rough seas can sink boats, damage engines and electrical systems, or snap mooring lines, causing boats to collide with docks, other vessels, or debris. Moreover, high winds can rip off sails covers, and other equipment while debris impact can cause hull breaches and other considerable structural damage. 

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Tie Your Boat to a Lift for a Hurricane  

If you’re docked in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, developing a comprehensive plan enables you to act quickly to protect your investments. If you must leave your boat on the lift, here are some guidelines to protect your vessel:

1. Elevate Your Boat: Raise the lift to its highest point. This helps keep the boat above potential storm surges and minimizes the risk of it being lifted by rising waters. 
2. Secure The Bow and Stern: Use heavy-duty, marine-grade lines and tie-down straps to attach the boat to the lift’s structure, crossing the lines to create a web that will hold the boat in place. Attach the lines to well-anchored cleats and pilings. 
3. Add Extra Lines: Double up on lines for added security. Tie off each corner of the lift to prevent it from swinging and attach lines to different points on the boat, lift, and dock to distribute the load. 
4. Double Check Knots: Use strong, 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. 
5. Shut Off Power: For those using motorized lifts, make sure to shut off the power supply before you leave the dock. Disconnecting the power reduces the risk of electrical damage and prevents the lift from malfunctioning during the storm.   

For best practices and more information about securing boats to your specific boat lift model, contact your local dealer. 

Essential Tips for Boat Lift Hurricane Preparation  

Preparation starts once you understand what to consider before installing a boat lift, which includes typical waterfront conditions and watercraft style, size, and weight. With that in mind, here are some more things to add to your hurricane preparedness plan:

• Inspect Your Lift: Regularly inspect your boat lift for signs of wear and tear. Ensure all components are in good working condition and replace damaged parts before the hurricane season begins. 
• Reinforce Support Structures: Strengthen your boat lift’s support structures to withstand high winds and heavy impacts during hurricanes. This can involve adding extra bracing, reinforcing joints, and tightening all bolts and connections. 
• Keep the Area Clear: Clear the deck and surrounding areas of any loose objects that could become projectiles in high winds, including covers, sails, and canopies. According to Capt. Vincent Daniello, “Removing tops and enclosure decreases windage and preserves the canvas (Boating, 2024).”
• Think About Drainage: Implement measures to prevent water accumulation on your boat and overloading the lift. Open all drain plugs and ensure nothing obstructs the water flow to the drain. Additionally, plug engine exhaust ports to prevent surges from entering the exhaust system. 
• Anticipate Failure: There’s a chance at least one line, cleat, or piling will fail. Give each line a backup by running another one in the same direction but with different attachment points. You can also use surplus fire hose as protective sleeves along friction points to protect lines from chafing.

Again, securing your boat on a lift during hurricanes should only be the last resort. Stay informed about weather conditions and hurricane warnings so you can have ample time to transport your boat into safe storage before the storm hits.

Why Quality Boat Lifts Matter  

Investing in a quality boat lift is essential for ensuring the safety and protection of your boat, even during adverse weather conditions. Since revolutionizing the industry with the first dime-welded aluminum boat lift, we’ve perfected our design to offer superior stability, reliability, and performance season after season. This commitment has culminated with the ShoreMaster Infinity Boat Lift Systems. 

Every component in these premium lifting solutions is made from heavy-duty, marine-grade materials to set the industry standard for reliability and performance. Contact us today to learn more about the best protection for your boat and to find boat lift dealers near me. 

References:

• Fox Weather (September 29, 2022). Ian tosses boats around like ‘Tinkertoys’ at Fort Myers marina. Retrieved from https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/hurricane-ian-fort-myers-marina-damage 
• Boating Magazine (May 29, 2024). How to Secure Your Boat for a Hurricane. Retrieved from How to Secure Your Boat for a Hurricane | Boating Mag