hurricane/insurance ratings for selective gulf cities.

[BOB TYSON]

Hello purveyors of marine wisdom:
We are getting closer on the purchase of a 40' Sea Ray to be wet docked at the marina of our choice-in the Florida Gulf. Among the variables I am considering is the relative rates of hurricane impacts and storm surges, over five years, for various marinas. I have been unable to locate that information. Since I currently have the luxury of choice for both location and insurance, I'm wondering if anyone has any idea if there is any real difference in insurance rates for cities? I found one article that mentions the obvious ones-Miami,Keys,Tampa. Perhaps the %difference isn't worth the trouble?
As always thanks!
Bob

 

[Third Edition]

Like investing, past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you can't find the data you want, IMO look for a marina that is as isolated from wave action as possible. Two comparisons in that regard are Twin Dolphin and Riviera Dunes. They are across from each other on the Bradenton River. Twin Dolphin is the more exposed of the two, and had a pretty catastrophic dock failure incident a few years ago. Riviera Dunes is much more protected/sheltered.

Another question is how high the docks can rise with the storm surge? The wind of an average hurricane (below Cat 4) is not the real danger, usually. It's the storm surge. Even Irma, which was relatively tame here in NE FL, had significant prolonged storm surge that damaged not only marinas but homes on the shoreline in Jacksonville and way up river.

 

[fwebster]

NWS has historical storm data if you care to wade thru the detail.

But, I've lived and had boats on the Gulf Coast for 30 years and I can tell you that no matter how much analysis you do every storm is different and the variables are to varied to try to pick a location based on what storms may do. Where they begin, what time of year they form, how warm the water they travel over is, the land masses they travel over on the way to you , fronts, pressure in the atmosphere.........it all accects where and with what strength they hit land.

You are far better off addressing how to protect your coastal investments during storms that trying to dodge a bullet that doesn't yet exist.

And home or condo built after about 1996-7 is built to what Florida people call the "Miami Hurricane Code" which addresses strength of materials and types of construction allowed now. Such things as Building on pilings driven into the earth, tempered glass, wash-thru ground level floors, etc. all servce to limit catestrophic damage to real estate. As far as the boat is concerned, addressing a hurricane plan and making decisions as soon as when you put your boat in a marina will serve you well. There is a series of 5 articles re: Hurricane Preperaton in the Tutorials section that would be worth reading about now as you go thru the planning process (It is really all one article, but the CSR system wouldn't allow postingm it all in one thread due to length) :

http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/hurricane-preparation-part-1-the-basics.87156/

I live 500 miles away from my boat 50% of t he time so protecting the boat was key for me. I was fortunate to be in a Sea Ray dealer owned marina who has a very simple Hurricane plan. If a dangerous storm approaches, they haul all wet slipped boats out and block them up on land.....the cost is the same as a haul out and launch +2-3 lays so it is expensive but reasonable. The best part of it is I don't have to be there, I don't have to make any decisions, I don't even have to make a phone call and my boat is usually blocked up in one pf the large dry stack barns and never even gets rained on. I am also free from having to hire a captain to run the boat up a river or creek or run it to a boat yard. It is a system that isn't free but works extremely well.

 

[BOB TYSON]

Thanks! I read the piece on Hurricane preparation the day it was released, hence my recent focus. Your situation fwebster, is ideal. I. will be 1000 miles away as well. Care to tell me the marina name?
Thanks!

NWS has historical storm data if you care to wade thru the detail.

But, I've lived and had boats on the Gulf Coast for 30 years and I can tell you that no matter how much analysis you do every storm is different and the variables are to varied to try to pick a location based on what storms may do. Where they begin, what time of year they form, how warm the water they travel over is, the land masses they travel over on the way to you , fronts, pressure in the atmosphere.........it all accects where and with what strength they hit land.

You are far better off addressing how to protect your coastal investments during storms that trying to dodge a bullet that doesn't yet exist.

And home or condo built after about 1996-7 is built to what Florida people call the "Miami Hurricane Code" which addresses strength of materials and types of construction allowed now. Such things as Building on pilings driven into the earth, tempered glass, wash-thru ground level floors, etc. all servce to limit catestrophic damage to real estate. As far as the boat is concerned, addressing a hurricane plan and making decisions as soon as when you put your boat in a marina will serve you well. There is a series of 5 articles re: Hurricane Preperaton in the Tutorials section that would be worth reading about now as you go thru the planning process (It is really all one article, but the CSR system wouldn't allow postingm it all in one thread due to length) :

http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/hurricane-preparation-part-1-the-basics.87156/

I live 500 miles away from my boat 50% of t he time so protecting the boat was key for me. I was fortunate to be in a Sea Ray dealer owned marina who has a very simple Hurricane plan. If a dangerous storm approaches, they haul all wet slipped boats out and block them up on land.....the cost is the same as a haul out and launch +2-3 lays so it is expensive but reasonable. The best part of it is I don't have to be there, I don't have to make any decisions, I don't even have to make a phone call and my boat is usually blocked up in one pf the large dry stack barns and never even gets rained on. I am also free from having to hire a captain to run the boat up a river or creek or run it to a boat yard. It is a system that isn't free but works extremely well.

 

[ttmott]

Rates are set by location; not by marina. You are best served by contacting several reputable carriers and have that discussion. Insurance in my area does not mandate haul-out with a named storm impending, and rates are comparatively reasonable. Most of the marinas in our area, however, will not allow the boat to remain at the dock when the NWS declares a hurricane / storm surge watch or warning. Many have yearly agreements with their marina to have their boat hauled when the situation arises. In my case it's optional as we are in a hurricane hole and well protected. Our marina does however mandate a system of double lines and inspections. As far as insurance I photograph the securing in detail so it's available to the insurance adjuster should something happen. I've been through four big storms and the bulk of damage was the sticky mess from the tape I put over all of the hatches and doors. I also go over my neighbors securing, or lack of in some cases, and work with the marina to get it all in order before I leave.

 

[BOB TYSON]

Rates are set by location; not by marina. You are best served by contacting several reputable carriers and have that discussion. Insurance in my area does not mandate haul-out with a named storm impending, and rates are comparatively reasonable. Most of the marinas in our area, however, will not allow the boat to remain at the dock when the NWS declares a hurricane / storm surge watch or warning. Many have yearly agreements with their marina to have their boat hauled when the situation arises. In my case it's optional as we are in a hurricane hole and well protected. Our marina does however mandate a system of double lines and inspections. As far as insurance I photograph the securing in detail so it's available to the insurance adjuster should something happen. I've been through four big storms and the bulk of damage was the sticky mess from the tape I put over all of the hatches and doors.

thanks!

 

[BOB TYSON]

Like investing, past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you can't find the data you want, IMO look for a marina that is as isolated from wave action as possible. Two comparisons in that regard are Twin Dolphin and Riviera Dunes. They are across from each other on the Bradenton River. Twin Dolphin is the more exposed of the two, and had a pretty catastrophic dock failure incident a few years ago. Riviera Dunes is much more protected/sheltered.

Another question is how high the docks can rise with the storm surge? The wind of an average hurricane (below Cat 4) is not the real danger, usually. It's the storm surge. Even Irma, which was relatively tame here in NE FL, had significant prolonged storm surge that damaged not only marinas but homes on the shoreline in Jacksonville and way up river.

thanks!

 

[Third Edition]

I've been through four big storms and the bulk of damage was the sticky mess from the tape I put over all of the hatches and doors. [/QUOTE]

Like you I have dealt with that sticky mess. Yuck. I've found that riggers tape, or gaffers tape, is superior to duct tape in that it leaves little to no residue. It's more expensive, but the ease of use makes it worth the expense.

 

[fwebster]

Bob,

The marina I mentioned is:

Treasure Island Marina
3650 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach FL 32408

http://www.treasureislandmarina.net


Their strong suit isn't their webpage, but if you click around you can figure out everything you need to know.

It is a privately owned, family operation; not owned by a comglomerate. The service manager and dockmaster have been there about 25 years each. This isn't just a place to store a boat.....it is truly a family operation that cares about customers and is considered by Sea Ray to be one of the top servicing dealers in the country.



Insurance is a key issue in your equation. It is sometimes very difficult to even buy insurance for a boat kept in a hurricane area. Add requirements on experience and navigational limits and it gets complex.