Hurricane season and your survey

The season

NOAA's National Hurricane Center defines the Atlantic hurricane season as June 1 through November 30.^[1] Florida buyers closing in those months should plan storage and storm preparation as part of the purchase, not after it.

What to look for in the survey

• Repairs: fresh gelcoat, mismatched paint, new deck hardware in one area, or a new cockpit sole can be signs of past damage. Ask the surveyor whether they saw evidence of repairs, and of what.
• Water intrusion: high moisture readings, corrosion in places that should be dry, or a new wiring harness on an older boat are worth a question.
• Electrical: corrosion and water damage in electrical systems are expensive to chase. Note anything the survey calls intermittent.
• Not inspected: anything the surveyor couldn't reach, such as tanks or the hull-to-deck joint, is a gap in what you know.

Questions for the seller

• Has the boat ever been damaged in a storm, sunk or partially submerged? Was an insurance claim paid?
• Where was the boat kept during recent storms: on a lift, in dry storage or in the water?
• Are there repair invoices for any storm-related work?

We don't give insurance advice and can't say what an insurer will require or cover. Ask your agent early: some insurers have storm plans or location requirements, and you want to know them before closing.

Sources

1. Tropical Cyclone Climatology, NOAA National Hurricane Center. Regulator. Accessed 2026-10-26.

Keep reading

• Buying a used boat in Florida
• How to read a marine survey
• Common survey findings and what they cost