We all wait entirely too long.  In the case of Irma and recent events being proactive is crucial.   Remember, you can live without food for weeks.  Water is a matter of days.   Bottled water is great but most is filtered tap water which you will have close to impact out of your sink. Fill washing machine, bathtubs (seal drain with duct tape and plastic bags), water heaters are full of water ( flush bottom drain and refill to get out calcium buildup )  the bottom drain will be where to get the water out to drink.  The toilet tank is fresh water as well, I would skip the water in the bowl:) Fill plasic bins, glasses, cups vases and put somehwhere away from windows.  Garbage bags can also be filled in a container. Eat frozen foods to clear space to make ice!  Generators are great but the gas will run out and there is no idea how long power will be down.  Freeze water in pots, tupperware etc... and load it up. We have days, keep making ice and fill coolers ( be sure to leave in shade or inside to keep ice longer).  Blocks of ice last longer. Not only can you drink it when it thaws but you can keep your food cold.  Canned goods can be eaten out of the can and most do not need to be heated.  The more the better! Fill propane tanks for grillls but I would focus on less cooking and more safety as gas lines could be broken. Be sure to plan for your pets! Not only water consumption but food.  Look at your surroundings, if you are boarding up prioritze if you do not have enough.  Look for trees and potential projectiles that can come your way.  Clear everything from walls and backyard.  You can throw lawn chairs and tables in pool if you have one. Most important of all, have a before, during and after plan setup to meet gather or hunker down.  Secure important items and remember the reality that not everyone will prepare and with time those without will look for those that do.  Be prapered to protect your home family and friends.  Kitty litter and a five gallon bucket will be your friend as you will only have one flush once the water goes out!  I suggest to line with a bag so you can dispose of and seal!   Charge anything you have and remember to fuel any transportation and gas/diesel you have ahead of time.   Download FEMA app, Zello etc...  First aid and medicine, phones and electronic communication devices should be in something waterproof. Boats: If we get a direct hit insurance is your friend!  But, nobody wants to lose their baby.  Strip everything!  Duct tape windows and hatches.  If at a dock remember there will be a surge. Criss cross lines when you can to give more of a rise and fall and put as many on as you can. Fenders, put them everywhere but make sure the are tied very well.   On a mooring, lifting straps can be used if tied to the mast or stern cleats.  Be sure to have some line with stretch.  If not the straps will rip off cleats, mast or even the bow.  The straight chain theory will fail in a strong blow as it is stronger than the fiberglass or wood the cleats are connected to.  Stretch and flex is needed. Anchored, throw out as much line as you can and if you have multiple anchors be aware of the swing. Bahamian style or triangle sets seem to work best.   Trailered, again, strip everything!  Drop mast if you can and strap down boat and trailer to anything you can, dog chain screws help a little.  Put block under trailer and filling hull with some water or weight is not a bad idea.  Be sure do duct tape hatches and ports or windows.  I am sure there are more things I missed but this covers some of  the basics.   Good luck and hang on!!!  #irma #hurricane #survival                  

A couple years ago, living in Silicon Valley I developed an obsession with expedition vehicles. Learned everything about them and thought they were the coolest thing around….until a buddy from Sarasota stayed with me for a few days. He thought they were cool to but he was a sailor. He said yeah those are cool and all but if you want a real expedition vehicle get a sailboat. They make their own water, their own power, and can go a LOT farther. I thought it was a cool idea but wasn’t all the way into the idea. He tried to get me to fly to Puerto Rico to sail back with some of his friends. I couldn’t swing it at the time. I followed his trip on the spot tracker and became hooked. Since then, I’ve read and watched the entire sailing related internet. Six years ago, for the previous 10 years, I was very much into scuba diving in California, had a 24ft boat. I once added up the gps milage and it came out that i’ve done about 35000 miles on saltwater…all coastal. I know the basics of seamanship. This idea may just work. After 8 months of research, i talked to another sailor buddy. He said “you want a boat? You can HAVE mine. Come and get it! When you sell it we split it.” I didn’t think it would be much of a boat. Boy was i wrong. Since then I gave away 90% of my stuff, and moved to Florida from California. I don’t intend to live aboard just yet. Still adjusting to going from 1400sqft to 1 room…but i’ll get there. So now for the boat: Stored for 3 years. Not a single hint of mold smell. All systems stored properly…pickled etc…. Morris Yachts Annie 29 cutter Hull purchased new in 1983, home built, launched in 1986. 80% of its life in great lakes Yanmar 18hp…so clean i’d eat off of it 440 ah bank 6v batteries in series =12v Dual alternators with gizmos that help them kick out 600w 2000w inverter charger (w/ desulfication function) Main, Jib, Genny, Asymetrical Spinnaker Fridge, sink, head Water maker 25 gal per day runs off of bank New Aircon 2 biminis w/ full enclosure 1 solar 85w 8 ft dink w/ 8 hp merc and stern davit…Will be named “Bubbles” What it needs: Bottom paint…hope to do copper restore all external wood Bleach and scrub the gelcoat restitch all sunbrella restep mast install bowsprit Maybe running rigging…i hope its just faded Needless to say, i’m beyond stoked. Cant wait to get it on the water!

Tired of soggy subway (Regatta food) sandwiches or the mystery cooler water in that bag of veggies? Freeze water saturated diapers and put them on the bottom of the food cooler (Wrap in tinfoil or plastic bag). Gives you more space than frozen water bottles and will last a long time. New ones work better than old ones:)

This is a hidden gem next to the Skyway. It used to be the Sunspree. Great little marina and has two pools, hot tub, elevated tiki bar, restaurant and a deli. They are fine with people anchoring out and enjoying the faciliies as well. For events they have decent rooms that are about $100 a night for the land yachters. If you want to get a slip I suggest calling well in advance. http://www.marinacoveresort.com/

You finally get the big boat you want and find a great mooring. However, the birds enjoy your boat as much as you do. I found a great little option that works well to keep away feathered crew from sitting on the rails. It takes about 10 minutes to do every time but it does save the hours of scrubbing off bird poop that has the consistency of cement. Go to your local hardware store and buy large zip ties and a spool of nylon line or monofiliment. Put the zip ties on your bow and stern rail with the tails up. I spread them out about 6 inches apart. Birds usually like to sit at the bow and stern the most. Next, zig zag your line from the bow back to the stern about a foot or two apart. If you are having birds on the spreaders hoist up a small section of plastic construction fence. If you do not mind looking like the Clampets, it works. Other options are to use more nylon line and hoist the line but have the bottom tied around 2 feet from the base of the mast so the angle deters landing. When it is time to sail, just coil the line like normal and save it for next time. Zip ties are cheap, leave them on or cut them everytime. For those who have experienced the winged horror this does work well.

Secluded, serene, and perfectly located! http://www.keylimesailingclub.com/

Don’t let the fact that you’re on a boat keep you from developing a green thumb. Try this clever shoe-rack-turned-planter idea.

  Coconut Rum Soaked Pineapple! YUM!!! Why have I not thought of this before?!?!? Is it summer yet?!?! Ingredients: 16 ounces rum ( Coconut rum ) 1 pineapple ( peeled and cored ) Directions: Cut Pineapple into bite size chunks. Place in medium bowl & Pour Coconut Rum over Pineapple. Cover & Refrigerate approx. 24 hours.