Independent guide: Follow your marina's, mooring authority's and insurer's cyclone plans. Human safety comes first.
Quick answer
Before a cyclone, strip every sail and all canvas, secure or remove halyards, reduce windage, and follow your marina's plan. Some owners in cyclone regions unstep the mast for the season or haul out. After the storm, inspect the rig before sailing.
Before the season
- book hardstand or cyclone mooring early
- check insurer requirements for the cyclone season
- consider a mast-out lay-up — see mast stepping
When a cyclone threatens
- Remove headsails from furlers and the mainsail.
- Remove biminis, dodgers, covers and lazy-bags.
- Pull halyards to the masthead with messengers, or tie them off the mast.
- Lash booms and poles.
- Double mooring lines and fit chafe gear.
Afterwards
Inspect the rig — see rig inspection after heavy weather — before sailing, and document damage for insurance.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Should I take the sails off before a cyclone?
Yes. Removing headsails from furlers, mainsails and all canvas greatly reduces windage and removes the risk of a sail unrolling and flogging, which can damage or bring down the rig. Do it well before the weather arrives.