ALEXANDRIA, VA, Sept. 10, 2008 – With Hurricane Ike aiming its sights on the Texas coast, boaters should take steps to prepare their boats.  To help them with this task, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has some free online “tools” available at the BoatUS “Hurricane Resource Center” at http://www.BoatUS.com/Hurricanes

The Web site offers easily downloadable storm planning materials including a hurricane preparation worksheet, an in-depth Guide to Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes, and checklists for what to do before and after a hurricane strikes. Sample hurricane plans for boat and yacht clubs as well as up-to-the-minute storm tracking tools with live satellite images are also offered.

While the safest location for a boat during a storm is on land, boaters may also want to ask their insurer if their policy offers help in paying for the cost of a storm related haul-out. Boat owners seeking the services of a professional delivery captain to move a vessel to a safe location can go to the BoatUS Captains Locator at http://www.BoatUS.com/procaptains/

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About BoatUS:
Boat Owners Association of The United States is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services including a group-rate marine insurance program that insures nearly a quarter million boats; the largest fleet of more than 500 towing assistance vessels; discounts on fuel, slips, and repairs at over 885 Cooperating Marinas; boat financing; and a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, the most widely read boating publication in the US.  For membership information visit http://www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.