Haul Out for Hurricane Season checklist

[jj2]

Hello there! 

We’re hauling out our 43DS in July during hurricane season for the first time, as we just got her 6 months ago….

She’ll be hauled out in Puerto Rico and I’m trying to prepare a comprehensive checklist… I’ve read several articles but wanted to get the input of the Jeanneau community.  I’m sure some things work better than others….

A few specific questions I have are:

How best to treat the batteries, since I won’t have power available? 
What to do with the wind generator, just remove the blades? 
how to protect winches?
Is it really worth it to remove all running rigging? Mast staying up.
Water tanks full or empty? 
Any other words of experience and wisdom? 

After consolidating all comments and info from articles, I’ll post here the final checklist for future use of other boaters. 

Thanks and safe sailing!

JJ

[Charlie-Bravo]

Not in a hurricane place myself, but ......

Batteries would benefit from being kept charged perhaps with a small solar panel or two.
Wind gen blade removal or tie them up.
Winches , bag them up with cloth and string, .....( or make nice snug covers) 
For the price of mouse lines, removal of running rigging will keep them nice for next season , and you could take them home for a wash.
Water tanks dry , and slooshed with a dilute bleach or something more friendly whilst emptying them ,  the water left in the tank will grow exciting bacteria in some climates, and won't make the boat a joy next time.

Fuel tank either very empty , or very full, depending on the security of the boat.

Not a difinative list, just my thoughts. Sure the wise ones will be along soon.
CB

[Zanshin]

I've stored various boats in the BVI, Antigua and St. Lucia for the hurricane season for over 15 years now.

- I get a small solar panel to hang inside a big hatch and plug that into the 12V system, that supplies enough to keep the batteries charged if there are no devices turned on except the bilge pumps (which should never need to run...)
- I remove the bimini, dodger and genoa. The mainsail is a furling one and gets furled and the line is used to wrap several times around the mast to make sure that the sail can't come out.
- I tie down the boom.
- running rigging remains in place, but I soak the lines in fabric softener when I get back and know that their lives are reduced due to the UV exposure
- Water tanks and fuel tanks are filled before storage
- Not a single crumb of edible food is left aboard