Unexpected Storms on Anchor: 6 Tips to Minimize Boating Risks

Intro: Shit Happens—But Let’s Minimize It

Storms, squalls, and all sorts of “oh crap” moments can happen to anyone. I’m not judging—these things happen to me too! The goal isn’t to avoid them entirely (impossible), but to minimize the chaos and be ready when things go sideways.

Watch my video to understand what i wanna talk about in this blog post

Ok now let me elaborate a bit and get into more details

1. Forecast: Better, But Still Not Perfect

Forecasts are getting better every day, but they still can’t predict weird weather changes 100%. If it’s a huge storm brewing over the ocean, you’ll probably see it coming—though exactly where it’ll go can be a bit fuzzy. Does it matter if it’s 40 knots or 50 knots? Probably not. You’d set up your boat similarly either way, right?

Pro Tip: When it’s forecast to be “good” weather, keep in mind that local, unpredicted squalls can sneak up. They usually don’t last too long—so if one hits, just hold on tight and wait it out.

2. Before Leaving the Boat: Stop & Think

Develop the habit of pausing for a quick mental checklist:

Double-check the anchor – test it in reverse before you kill the engine.
Secure lines & hatches – make sure everything is good to go.
Overall gear check – if it’s all buttoned up, you’ll be fine in light to moderate winds.

But if a real storm rolls in? That’s when things can get messy.

3. Keep an Eye on the Weather (Even on Land)

You’re onshore, sipping a drink, minding your own business—then you spot big winds, dark clouds, or a sudden shift in wind direction. Maybe head back to the boat. But be smart:

If it’s already super windy and dangerous out there, don’t risk your life rushing to the boat.
Sometimes, it’s safer to wait it out on land.

4. Rethink Going Ashore if a Storm’s Coming

If the forecast says storm, maybe don’t head to shore in the first place:

Pick a protected bay based on forecasted wind direction.
Remember that the wind can still swing from a completely different angle—microclimates do weird stuff sometimes.

5. Boat Prep for Storms

When a storm is on the horizon, secure your boat before the weather goes nuts:

Tie down or stow gear – close the sail bag, add extra wraps around your headsail (or even tie a line on it).
Close hatches – you don’t want a surprise water fountain in the cabin.
Check the engine – make sure it’s ready to fire up if you need a quick escape.
Dinghy duty – tie it properly so it’s not flailing around.
Fancy cushions? If you love ‘em, secure ‘em. Seriously, they might fly away.

Sit down and think: what can you do now instead of in the middle of screaming winds?

6. Handling Super Windy Moments (& Potential Anchor Drags)

When it’s howling out there and you’re worried about dragging:

Stay alert – be ready to act fast.
Engine at the ready – you might need to motor forward if the anchor slips.
Life jacket on – better safe than sorry when you’re rushing to the bow.

Check out this video by @sailingdmed for a perfect example of staying cool and waiting a storm out. If your anchor does fail, you might:

Spring off the rocks if you have lines, though in strong wind it may not help much.
Drop lines and move away from shore, though visibility or other boats might make it dicey.
Have a backup plan – no single recipe fits every situation, but staying aware, calm, and collected can help you find the best option in the moment.

Final Thought

There’s a lot of “maybe” in this game—maybe the storm changes direction, maybe your anchor holds, maybe you have to dash back in the dinghy. The goal is awareness. Keep your eyes open, plan ahead, and be ready to adapt if the weather decides to throw a curveball. Stay safe out there (and don’t lose those fancy cushions!).

It's scary stuff - but this is exactly why we're captains - it's not always sunny light wind days - we need to face some situations like this and keep our boat and crew safe.

I hope you've learnt a thing or two - i wanna hear what you think so feel free to comment and i'll see you in the next blog post.