HURRICANE READINESS: A BLUEPRINT FOR BOATERS
A hurricane doesn’t have to mean destruction for your boat, your actions can play a significant role in the outcome. In this online class, Carolyn Shearlock will explain exactly how to prepare for a hurricane and what to do to give your boat its best chance.
Every year the threat of hurricanes intensifies, hitting areas once considered safe and causing widespread destruction. Learning how to effectively prepare for a hurricane is one of the simplest things you can do to increase your boat's chances of surviving a storm. Join CAROLYN SHEARLOCK, a seasoned expert with 17 years experience cruising in hurricane-prone areas, as she shares her step-by-step approach to hurricane prep. From pre-season planning and weather watching to actual storm prep and post-storm safety - Carolyn's strategies have proven effective, having survived two direct hits with her boats still intact. Learn from her experiences and gain expert insights to greatly improve your boat’s odds should a hurricane threaten your area.
WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?
This online class is for all boaters and sailors in hurricane-prone areas wanting to learn how to prepare their boats to withstand the devastating winds, waves, rain, and surge of a hurricane (without relying on luck). Whether your boat is in a marina, on the hard, at anchor, moored, or being actively cruised during hurricane season, this course is for you.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Learn how all of your decisions and actions work together to influence what happens to your boat should a hurricane hit—not just the “big things” from a “Top 10 Tips” article, but all the little details that can make a crucial difference. As Carolyn says, "There's no single trick to keeping a boat safe; it's the sum of all the precautions you take. You need to learn and implement them all." This course will equip you with the exact knowledge needed to prepare and execute a comprehensive hurricane plan tailored to your specific situation.
TOPICS COVERED
- Choose the best location for your boat.
- Gather the proper supplies ahead of time—no last-minute scramble.
- Watch the weather and understand the fine points of the forecasts.
- Assess the risks and implications of hurricane season.
- Prepare a comprehensive hurricane plan both for yourself and your insurance company.
- Develop detailed hurricane checklists.
- Know when to stop monitoring forecasts and start preparing.
- Execute your plan with step-by-step guidance.
- Stay safe during preparation and in the aftermath.
YOUR HOST
CAROLYN SHEARLOCK
Carolyn Shearlock has cruised hurricane-prone areas for 17 years. Since 2003, she has extensively studied why some boats survive hurricanes with minimal damage while others nearby are totaled. "Every storm teaches us new things to watch out for and reinforces the lessons of previous storms," says Carolyn. "Various people—including me—write about the new lessons or give 'Top 10' lists for hurricane prep, but I don't know of anyone else who provides an in-depth analysis of all the factors we need to consider. It's my experience that it's not just one thing that saves a boat; it's the sum total of everything that was done."
Her boats have taken direct hits from two hurricanes—Category 1 Marty in 2003 and Category 4 Irma in 2017—and have been within 50 miles of the eye of a dozen other storms. Remarkably, her boats have sustained less than $700 in damage over the years, most of which was due to storm surge from Irma destroying a dinghy motor (yes, she’ll tell you how to avoid that in her course).
Carolyn is a big proponent of making boat life easier by sharing information with others. Her website, The Boat Galley, focuses on all the "living on a boat" skills that aren't part of learning to sail or operate a boat yet play a significant role in the lives of new cruisers. Providing an in-depth approach to hurricane prep is one of her favorite ways to help other boaters. "Seeing a hurricane forecast for your area is downright scary," she says. "Having a solid plan already in place both removes a lot of the stress and makes it far more likely that you'll have a good result."
