NOAA's outlook for the 2026 Atlantic season points to above-average activity again, and for Sarasota boat owners that means one thing: prep needs to start well before a storm has a name. Here's exactly what our storm-prep protocol looks like this year, and what to expect depending on whether you're on a management plan.
What Changed After Last Season
Idalia and the storms that followed taught us a few hard lessons about chafe protection and canvas removal timing. We've since rebuilt our pre-storm checklist around a 72-hour window instead of 48, giving us more room to reach every client vessel before conditions turn unsafe.
"The biggest failure point we saw wasn't line strength — it was chafe. Boats with doubled lines and no chafe guards still took damage where the rope met the cleat."
Our Pre-Storm Checklist, Start to Finish
Every vessel on a management plan gets the same sequence once a named storm enters the watch zone:
• Additional dock lines and chafe guards added at all contact points
• Fenders doubled and repositioned for surge clearance
• Canvas, biminis, and covers removed or fully secured
• Loose deck equipment stowed below decks
• Bilge pumps tested and confirmed operational
• Photo documentation of pre-storm condition, timestamped and sent to owners
⚠ For Non-Management Clients
You don't need to be on a plan to access storm services. Call ahead of any named storm and we'll do our best to accommodate all Sarasota-area vessel owners in our service zone — availability narrows fast once a storm is inside 72 hours.
During and After the Storm
Where conditions allow, we run line checks between storm bands and stay in direct contact with marina staff. Once it's safe to move, every management client gets a same-day post-storm inspection: debris removal, damage documentation, and — if needed — insurance-ready photo reports.
Pre-storm line and chafe-guard setup on a Longboat Key management client vessel.
If you have questions about your own storm plan, or want to get set up before the next named system forms, reach out and we'll walk through it together.
A
Austin Hirsch
Owner & USCG Captain, Wheelhouse Marine Care
