You know how to prepare your home in the face of a hurricane, you know the essentials to stock up on – but do you know how to secure your bike, car or boat? These big ticket items are investments that you definitely want to protect. Up your game this hurricane season with some fantastic tips and tricks to help you be prepared!
BIKES
Store it Inside
If space permits you to do so, consider storing your bike in the garage or house. This won’t work for everyone, but it is one of the best and easiest ways to keep your bike safe! In areas where flooding is a concern, placing your bike on a lift of sorts and strapping it down to prevent rolling could be that extra step to reduce accidental damage.
Pick the Best Location
If you are storing your bike outside, invest in a bike cover or wrap your bike with a tarp – this will protect your bike from wind, rain
and small debris. Avoid parking near or under trees as well as power lines, these have the potential to cause a major inconvenience if they fall on top of your motorcycle. It is recommended that you
park near a sturdy wall such as your house, this will help to minimize wind trauma and offer support, so that your bike does not topple over.
Protect Your Engine
Cover your air cleaners and exhaust. The extra protection will prevent water from getting into your engine which can cause problems down the line. If you have any custom pieces, consider removing and storing them safely in your house.
Fill Your Tank
Ensure that you fill your tank before the hurricane arrives,
it’s important to be prepared and have a plan after the
hurricane subsides.
CARS
Take Photos
Take pictures of your car just before a hurricane approaches. Although this seems very simple, it is vital for insurance purposes as it is harder to examine damages without having
a before comparison.
Find the Spare Key
Store copies of your car’s registration and insurance documents inside your home in a dry and safe place. It is also advised to make copies of this information and make sure you have the spare key so, if in the event you are separated from your vehicle or family, they can have access to the car.
Fill up Your Tank
Once again, gas is a must for hurricane readiness, we recommend filling up your tank prior to the hurricane. After the hurricane you’ll be able to get to where you need to go, without the hassle of having to find an open gas station.
Find a Safe Location
Park your car in a safe environment where it is ideally sheltered from high winds, water and debris. A garage does help with this but if not, parking behind your house or a solid wall works too. Also, don’t forget to properly secure any car covers or tarps that you may use to cover it!
BOATS
Remove Anything That’s Loose
The first step in hurricane readiness with boats is to well… prepare your boat. Turn off the electrical system, remove the battery and detach equipment that is moveable to prevent breakage. Things that cannot be removed such as tillers and wheels should be tied down restricting movement and ropes being used should be wrapped with a protective rope sleeve to prevent chafing.
Shut, Seal and Cover
Windows, doors and hatches should be sealed and the fuel lines fully shut off. Make sure to cover engine room vents and plug
the stern’s exhaust pipes to prevent storm water from flooding
your motor.
Beware of the Storm Surge
Anchor lines should be 10 times the water’s depth at mooring location to counteract the effects of a storm surge. Anchor the boat with a minimum of two anchors and position the bow of the boat in the direction of prevailing winds. If you want to take it a step further, place extra fenders to protect the boat from hitting the pier or breakage of surrounding boats.
Store it Safely
The island has a few companies that will haul and store your boat, but if you plan to do it yourself here are a few tips to keep in mind. Never leave your boat on a davit or hydraulic lift as these can be dangerous. Instead consider storing the vessel in a storage cradle in your yard. Depending on the boats weight, consider pumping water into the bilge to hold the vessel down more securely.
