Hurricane at sea

1. General

• If the eye passes over you, the back eye-wall will hit like a freight train, with no build up.
• Spread out hurricane preparations–it is extremely physically and emotionally demanding to have to do all in an highly anxious state in the few days before a hurricane hits.
• A hurricane can show up with very little warning–don’t count on having 4-5 days notice. Also, it can be very squally for the 48 hours prior to a hurricane’s arrival–don’t expect you'll be able to do your preparations then.
• Lines can chafe through rapidly. If you don’t have other chafing gear, use plastic grocery bags–they’re slippery and they work!
• Remove furling sails, flake, and stow below.
• Ensure the mainsail is fully into the mast, or remove mainsail.
• Remove downwind genoa poles from mast and lash to deck.
• Lash all halyard falls to mast, and make sure no other lines are left on deck to whip in the wind.
• Remove wind generator blades.
• Make sure your cockpit drains are clear.
• Charge your handheld VHF.
• Prepare your ditch bag with cash, documents, food, clean/dry towels, and toilet paper.
• check jacklines and have at hand your life jacket & tether, snorkel mask, strobe, flash- lights and spare batteries, serrated knife, marlin spike or rigging tool, and bolt cutters.
• Wear deck shoes all the time the storm is in process.

3. Hurricane Preparation Supplies

• Seizing wire.
• Plenty of line to lash things down with. 
• Leatherman.
• Lots of towels and chafing gear.
• Rolls of duct tape.
• Dacron sticky back tape for sail repair.
• Spare flashlight batteries.