How to Keep Your Boat Safe During Summer Storms

Let’s be honest—summer boating is awesome. Long days, calm water, a cooler full of drinks, maybe a few fish on the line. But if you’ve spent any time on the water, you know that summer doesn’t always play nice. One minute it’s blue skies, and the next? Wind, rain, and whitecaps out of nowhere.

Here’s the good news: protecting your boat from surprise summer storms is possible. These three tips are simple, smart, and totally worth doing if you want to keep your boat ready for the next sunny day.

What should you do if caught in severe weather while boating? First off, be sure that you're prepared ahead of time.

Here's the Gear to Have Onboard

1. Don’t Skip the Boat Cover

Boston Whalers are tough, no doubt—but rain still finds a way to mess things up. Water sneaks into seams, collects in seats, and turns your nice clean interior into a soggy science experiment.

A good boat cover fixes that. It keeps rain out, blocks debris, and saves you from having to mop up a puddle every time you head out. The key here is fit. You want something that hugs your boat tight, not a baggy tarp that flaps around in the wind.

Pro tip: Great Lakes Boat Top makes solid covers built for real marine weather, not just sunny storage days.

2. Add More Dock Lines Than You Think You Need

Storms don’t care how well your boat is tied up. If the wind kicks up and the water rises, your setup better be solid—or you might come back to find your boat playing bumper cars with the dock.

Here’s a general rule: more lines, more peace of mind.

Got a fixed dock? Leave some slack. Water levels can rise fast, and if the lines are too tight, your boat has nowhere to go.

On a floating dock? Keep things tighter. The dock and your boat rise together, so a snug tie helps keep everything in place.

Pro move: toss a couple sandbags on the cleats to keep your lines from shifting when the wind starts showing off.

3. Use Buoy Bumpers—Always

You ever park next to someone who throws their door open without looking? That’s what summer storms do to your boat at the dock.

Buoy bumpers are your buffer zone. Line them up along your boat’s side—especially where it tends to bump the dock—and you’ll cut way down on scratches, scuffs, and unplanned fiberglass repairs.

They’re cheap, they work, and they’re easy to move around depending on your docking setup. Just get them before you need them.

Bonus Tip: Learn the Lightning 30/30 Rule

30 seconds:

See lightning? Start counting. If thunder follows in 30 seconds or less, the storm’s within six miles—and you’re in the danger zone. Time to stop what you’re doing and get to shelter, fast. Lightning doesn’t mess around.

30 minutes:

Think the storm’s over? Not so fast. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before heading back out. Lightning can strike well after the skies look clear—better to be safe than sorry.

Storms Happen. Don’t Let Them Wreck Your Weekend.

A little prep goes a long way when summer weather turns sideways. With the right cover, strong dock lines, and a few bumpers, you’re way ahead of the game. Do this once, and your future self (the one who just wants to get out and fish) will be glad you did.

Want more storm tips?

Here’s how to prep your boat for hurricane season.

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This is for general information purposes only. Your use or reliance on any of the information in this Blog is solely at your own risk. Under no circumstance will we have any liability for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any of the information provided.

Options and features mentioned subject to change. Please confirm availability of all accessories and equipment with an authorized Boston Whaler Dealer.