Preparing Your Boat for Hurricane Season

Preparing Your Boat for Hurricane Season in Baja California Sur

From June through November, Baja California Sur faces the Pacific hurricane season. While not every year brings a major storm, history has shown that when one hits—like Hurricane Odile in 2014—the impact can be serious for boat owners in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and the East Cape.

Whether you’re living in Baja full-time or storing your boat here while you’re away, prepping for hurricane season is essential. Here’s how to protect your investment and ensure your boat is ready to ride out the storm safely.

1. Know the Season, Watch the Forecast

Hurricane season officially runs June 1 to November 30. Most activity ramps up in August and September, so this is when you should be especially alert.

• Use apps like Windy, NOAA, or StormRadar
   
• Sign up for marina or port authority alerts (Cabo San Lucas Capitanía de Puerto)
   
• Don’t wait—plan before the storm forms
   

2. Haul It Out – Dry Docking Is Best

If you can remove your boat from the water, do it. Boats stored on land and secured on a trailer are significantly safer than those left in slips.

• Strap the boat down to anchors or concrete
   
• Block the trailer and deflate tires slightly
   
• Remove canvas, cushions, and electronics
   
• Cover with a vented, storm-rated tarp
   

We offer dry docking in Cabo and La Paz to help protect boats from storm surge and dock damage.

3. If You Must Leave It in the Water…

If hauling out isn’t an option, secure your boat like a pro.

• Double up dock lines with shock absorption
   
• Tie off to pilings, not cleats
   
• Use chafe guards on all lines
   
• Remove bimini tops, sails, and anything loose
   
• Ensure bilge pumps are working and batteries are charged
   

Ask your marina if they have a hurricane plan in place—and follow it.

4. Secure All Gear and Check Drainage

Take home or lock up:

• Electronics
   
• Fishing rods and tackle
   
• Dive/snorkel gear
   
• Safety equipment
   

Check scuppers and drains to ensure they’re free of debris. Blocked drains can flood your deck and cause major damage.

5. Keep Your Insurance Up to Date

Many policies require proof of preparation or exclude hurricane coverage without specific riders.

• Review your coverage now, not during the storm
   
• Take photos of your boat before the storm as documentation
   
• Have contact info for your insurer and marina ready
   

Bonus: Seasonal or Out-of-Town? Let Us Handle It.

If you’re a seasonal resident or traveling during hurricane season, we can handle storm prep for you. Our dry dock and maintenance services include:

✅ Haul-out and tie-down
✅ System checks
✅ Shrink-wrapping and storm-rated covers
✅ Post-storm inspection and cleanup

Let’s Keep Your Boat Safe This Season

At BoatsForSaleInCabo.com, we go beyond boat sales—we help you protect your investment from Baja’s harshest conditions. Whether you’re storing a trailerable center console, a panga, or a small cabin cruiser, we’ll help keep it storm-ready.

📧 Email us anytime at boatsforsaleincabo@gmail.com
👉 Contact us here to ask about hurricane prep, dry dock availability, or maintenance services.

Recommended Links

Cabo Sportfishing Magazine

Fishco.mx (for fishing gear)

Tag Cabo YouTube channel

Cabo fishing charters page