Storing boat in Caribbean?

[massnspace]

We are thinking of buying a boat in the Caribbean.

The plan would be to use it over the next few winters, and leave it during the summers.

Currently, where are good places to store a boat, on the hard, during the times we would not be aboard? How much should one plan to pay, per month, for such on-the-hard storage? Is it hard to get a spot, or just pull in and have it lifted and blocked?

David
Seattle

[Wandering1]

Originally Posted by massnspace

We are thinking of buying a boat in the Caribbean.

The plan would be to use it over the next few winters, and leave it during the summers.

Currently, where are good places to store a boat, on the hard, during the times we would not be aboard? How much should one plan to pay, per month, for such on-the-hard storage? Is it hard to get a spot, or just pull in and have it lifted and blocked?

David
Seattle

Out of the Caribbean is the best place to store it. Anywhere in the Caribbean, and you are storing your boat in a bowling alley.
Trinidad would be a reasonable choice. A better choice would be the ABC islands. Both are on the fringe of hurricane alley but far better prospects than anything North

[Hobiehobie]

I agree with Wandering1. Best plan is to not leave a boat in the Caribbean over the Summer because of the hurricane risk. And if you do, you might have difficulty getting any kind of insurance. We have left our boat in the Caribbean for two Summers. Once we were nearly totaled by Hurricane Irma in the BVI, but nothing $200K of repairs could not remedy! And another in Catamaran Marina, Antigua, forced on us by COVID. That was OK but quite expensive at about US$900/month for a strong cradle. Many go south to Grenada, but recent hurricane tracks suggest this is not without risk, or further south to Trinidad and Tobago. The latter probably well worth the effort…and rates and labor are quite reasonable there.

[massnspace]

To clarify. Boat would be on the hard.

On the hard, strapped down, sails removed, etc.

Is it still too much of a risk?

[SailingHarmonie]

Grenada is popular with cruisers doing what you want to do. Boats in southern Grenada were unaffected by this years storms. Insurance coverage availability and cost varies by carrier.

[massnspace]

I was not clear….

The eventual plan would be to bring the boat back the Florida eventually…..so going south to Grenada would be the wrong way.

Is it not possible to store the boat, on the hard, safely, somewhere in the central islands?

[Kinkircating]

Originally Posted by massnspace

I was not clear….

The eventual plan would be to bring the boat back the Florida eventually…..so going south to Grenada would be the wrong way.

Is it not possible to store the boat, on the hard, safely, somewhere in the central islands?

This is a question for your insurance company. There are plenty of people living abroad year round, depends on your risk tolerance and what you are willing to pay upfront as well as for your deductible.

[Tupaia]

St Kitts Marine Works will haul you and tie you down in a hole. I personally consider it too risky as I expect will your insurance company, but it is your boat.
https://www.skmw.net/

[barnakiel]

Prices vary depending on the country. They vary from expensive to very expensive.


Most insurers will not work with you, so do study this part way up first.


You want a place away from the main hurricane alley, and high. A boatyard with low ground is not good enough - the hurricane tide runs in and destroy boats, supports and you name it.


North Sound Marina will send you a quote. Mind they are well on track of the hurricanes. But they do have a high ground dry storage.


A boat can be just sailed out during the hurricane season. Many options. Then it is less expensive and easier to get insurance cover.


b.

[PippaB]

Originally Posted by massnspace

To clarify. Boat would be on the hard.

On the hard, strapped down, sails removed, etc.

Is it still too much of a risk?

While the odds have generally been good down Grenada way, Beryl certainly did a number on Carriacou this year (and yet just 30 miles away the boats on hardstands survived essentially unscathed):




(note the cats all seem relatively OK, until you look for their masts).



You roll the dice and take your chances, the further up you get in the "central islands" the higher the risk - hence the recommendations pointing toward Trinidad.

[Montanan]

A hurricane upsets boat on the hard and storm surge floats boats away from a yard.

Insurance will be a challenge and if underwritten will be expensive and subject to deductibles.

Best to move the boat south to Trinidad and Tobago, [or far up north on the US east coast for the season]. There is no other truly safe places in the Caribbean.

[SailingHarmonie]

Originally Posted by massnspace

I was not clear….

The eventual plan would be to bring the boat back the Florida eventually…..so going south to Grenada would be the wrong way.

Is it not possible to store the boat, on the hard, safely, somewhere in the central islands?

Yes it is possible. But… you role the dice and take your chances. You would not know it from the news reports, but the areas in the Caribbean affected by hurricanes in a deadly way in any year are quite small. The problem is, in a severe enough storm, if you are unlucky enough to be dead center, the chance of a boat surviving are minuscule.

You play the odds. The odds are in your favor, but there are no guarantees of safety.

[Zanshin]

So far it seems that all the replies are from members who don't have a boat in the Caribbean.

I stored my boats in the BVI and was fortunate to have not lost the boat during hurricane Irma -she was toppled despite being strapped down and I lost everything above the deck but had no water ingress. I fared much better than 90% of the boats in Nanny Cay.

I've kept my boat in the BVI, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Lucia and Carriacou for the hurricane season. Had it not been for airfare advantages from St. Lucia, I would have had my boat in Carriacou this season as a 2nd term after last year. Despite thinking I was "safe", I would have lost her!

Even buried, as they do in St. Kitts and Antigua, the boat has no chance should a Cat IV or higher hit.

To answer your question - with the right storm anywhere in the Caribbean a boat has 0% chance of escaping without damage. Even blocked and strapped and buried. It is a matter of odds. I keep on playing the odds - currently in St. Lucia again and this hurricane season was a non-event.

[massnspace]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Very enlightening….

[Wandering1]

Originally Posted by Zanshin

So far it seems that all the replies are from members who don't have a boat in the Caribbean.

I stored my boats in the BVI and was fortunate to have not lost the boat during hurricane Irma -she was toppled despite being strapped down and I lost everything above the deck but had no water ingress. I fared much better than 90% of the boats in Nanny Cay.

I've kept my boat in the BVI, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Lucia and Carriacou for the hurricane season. Had it not been for airfare advantages from St. Lucia, I would have had my boat in Carriacou this season as a 2nd term after last year. Despite thinking I was "safe", I would have lost her!

Even buried, as they do in St. Kitts and Antigua, the boat has no chance should a Cat IV or higher hit.

To answer your question - with the right storm anywhere in the Caribbean a boat has 0% chance of escaping without damage. Even blocked and strapped and buried. It is a matter of odds. I keep on playing the odds - currently in St. Lucia again and this hurricane season was a non-event.

We have been in the Caribbean since 2014. We were also in Grenada just after Ivan in 2004.
When you see the devestastion caused by a hurricane, you develop a respect and understanding. I never want to be in or close to one. Leaving my boat to the ravage of a hurricane is also not an option for me