Vessel Preparedness

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by opsailor

We and other boats at our yard in St Augustine are trying to add to the security of our boats on the hard. We have purchased and installed six or eight "earth anchors" and cargo straps to give some additional stability to our boats.

The straps are rated at 5,000 lbs and the anchors at two tons plus. We figure that anything that helps keep a boat from swaying will help. All of the above was purchased for less than $150 from the local Tractor Supply Company. Seems like a small price for any additional security.

Anchors and straps are a great idea. But if the yard is not paved, something else to worry about is the jackstand bases sinking into the dirt in the yard, once it become saturated with rainwater, and the wind starts vibrating the boat. The bases can work their way down, and the boat will go over.

Put 2' x 2' piece of plywood under the jackstand bases to give them more surface area to press on.

[imagine2frolic]

If it is the St. Augustine boatyard? I have actually had this happen to me. Because of the sinking I recieved a very tiny crease on one of my bows.......LESSON LEARNED!