Prepare Your Houseboat For the Worse

7 Essential Things You Should Do If A Storm Is Heading Your Way

 It is important to prepare your houseboat. As owners one of the biggest concerns you may have is storm damage.  From hurricanes to flash floods, keeping your home safe and secure during these turbulent times means taking a few simple precautions.

Of course, you can’t account for everything, so even if you do the best prep possible you might still get damage from water debris such as logs, or worst case, other boats! If you live in a hurricane zone then there are options for secure storage during the season. Smaller boats can usually been lifted from the water and stored or towed to a safe location.

Bigger boats will need to be moored somewhere safe, so if you can find a sheltered harbour or marina somewhere away from big waves or flood waters then this would be ideal. Whatever storm is approaching these are our 7 top tips to keep your houseboat safe.     

1. Start Your Prep ASAP!

When you hear the report of an approaching storm, prepare your houseboat right away. Before a storm arrives properly you will find swells pick up or winds get stronger, so don’t leave it until the last moment. No time like the present!

2. Stow Everything From Outdoors

Whatever you have on the deck of your boat, stow it away. From tables and chairs or plants, to electronic equipment; anything that can be blown away by a strong gust of wind or struck by lightning should be stowed securely either inside your boat or at a safe location.

Damage often occurs from stray items being blown or falling when the boat is rocked by waves, so minimize the possibility of this happening!

3. Secure Indoors Too!

Whether or not you’re staying on the boat during a storm, ensure that nothing will fall over and damage the interior or, worse still, hurt somebody. Stow and secure as much as possible in lockers or in an on-shore lockup. 

Fix leaky seals on windows, hatches and cover cracked windows to prevent further damage.

4. Extra Moorings

You’ll need to use all cleats on your boat to make sure that you’re fastened to the moorings securely. Double up on all lines and use quality rope that will stand up to persistent wear. If your houseboat doesn’t have many cleats, you can always add more for extra strength.

5. Loose Lines and Sails

A loose line can be very hazardous, so make sure to stow any cables or sails that could flap or fly away in a big gust. If they can't be stowed then tie them down as securely as possible.

6. Use Fenders

Pulling fenders on the external facing side of your boat will help to minimize impact from debris especially if you're expecting flood waters. You'll need fenders dockside too!

Get Comfortable

You might be cooped up for a few days so make sure you have enough food, spare batteries, warm or waterproof clothing and whatever else you need to ride out the storm. Also, make sure you have a place you can lie or sit that won't be affected by any water if there is a serious leak.

Prepare your houseboat the best way you can and stay safe out there!