The aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has left widespread destruction, and boats are no exception. At Clearwater Marine on U.S. 19, an influx of boats has been brought in for inspection—many with hidden damage.

Lead technician Justin Siew says some sellers are trying to pass off storm-damaged boats as seaworthy.

“People are cleaning things up to make the boats look undamaged and then trying to sell them to us,” Siew told Bay News 9 Tampa. “That’s where we step in. We go through the boat thoroughly and uncover the issues they’re trying to hide.”

Identifying “Hurricane Boats”

Siew refers to these vessels as “hurricane boats”—boats that suffered damage during storms.

“This has created a lot of work for us,” Siew explained. “But it’s also caused challenges with identifying and repairing these damaged boats.”

The signs of storm damage, though subtle, can reveal a lot to a trained eye.

Siew pointed to one boat as an example: “You can see evidence it was rubbing against a pylon—there’s wood embedded here, likely from a dock during the hurricane. It’s clear this boat stayed in the water during the storm. Repairs will require replacing sections, and potentially other related parts.”

Protecting Buyers

Inspecting and repairing these boats is essential to ensure safety and value for buyers who expect quality vessels, free of any issues.

“We’re doing our best to protect customers and their investments,” Siew said. “It’s about making sure they’re getting what they’re paying for.”

While the added workload has been challenging, Siew sees it as a critical service in the wake of the storms. “We want to ensure buyers get safe, reliable boats for their money,” he added.

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(Image credit: WFLA)