Camping on Florida's Beaches - Segment 2

SEGMENT 2 - Prepare for the elementsPreparing for the worst case scenario will mean you are ready for anything.Thunderstorms pop up quickly in Florida and having a Phone or A radar on your boat or listening to the Weather on your UHF radio will give you that heads up to know when your going to get hit by rain or a storm.

 Taking care of your boat. Sense your on the shore you should take some precautions that will help your boat ride out the storm safely.

1. PLAN AHEAD FOR WEATHER. If you know there is a 75% or more chance of Heavy Thunderstorms and Strong winds you should not be camping.
2. Secure everything on your boat and lower your antennas and fishing poles.
3. If you have the ability to place your boat outside of the waves that are hitting the shore do that. If not then try to loosen your aft anchor enough to allow your boat to float freely on the foward anchor.
4. In essence leaving enough scope on your forward Anchor and then letting your aft anchor go slack should give the boat free reign to be in deeper water and the aft anchor will be your connection to your boat.
5. Since you are camping you should be in rather calm water BUT if you are facing open waters and your boat is near the beach ensure you have enough scope on your forward anchor to stay far enough from shore. If your worried about the boat riding the thunderstorm out attempt to move it to a leeward area.
6. If you have to power your boat up and ride out the storm then you should seriously think about NOT STAYING for camping if it is going to be that type of storm.

Next think about your own comfort.

RAIN

1. Your Clothes should stay on the boat in a dry area until it is time to go to bed OR when you know there is no weather threatening. This ensures that your clothes do not get soaked and you have dry clothes to wear.
2. Stay inshore enough to be out of any potential Lightning and if you think there is lightning around and you could be threatened by it try not to be the tallest thing on the beach.
3. Try to stay out of the water take shelter in your tent if possible.
4. One important thing about packing is to pack in a Plastic Storage Container with a lid that way your equipment and other items are in a secured place and they should stay dry as well. You can then leave them in the rain and they should stay dry. Make sure the lid seals well and if possible place one of your tarps over all your gear in the containers to further protect it.

WIND

1. Wind can pick your tent up and throw it down and make a mess of things. IF you think that there will be Strong winds during the day try to not setup your tent until later in the evening when the wind will surley die down.
2. Long Tent Stakes will help if you want to setup in the wind but there is only so much you can do.
3. Secure all your items in their containers as if for rain and you can keep things under control.

SUN and HEAT

1. Drink Plenty of water (Stay Hydrated) 
2. Wear a hat to help with the heat from the sun.
3. Swim and have fun.
4. Wear your sunblock at least to block the harmful UV rays. 

See Florida Boat Beach Camping - Segment 3