Charlottetown Yacht Club advises boat owners to be ready for Hurricane Matthew

There was a steady stream of sailboats being lifted by crane out of the water at the Charlottetown Yacht Club Tuesday as members prepare for Hurricane Matthew heading north.

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One of the boats lifted out by crane Tuesday at the Charlottetown Yacht Club. (Nancy Russell/CBC)

"Over the next few days the more prudent people will begin to avoid the rush in case the track shows it's coming this way," said Steve Murray, commodore of the Charlottetown Yacht Club.

The Yacht Club sent out an email to members Monday, urging them to keep an eye on the track of Hurricane Matthew — expected to have some impact on the Maritimes this weekend.

Charlottetown Yacht Club commodore Steve Murray has already taken his boat out of the water. (Nancy Russell/CBC)

"Arthur caught us a bit by surprise," said Murray. "We have developed protocol based on wind direction and wind speed."

That protocol could include an evacuation notice, he said, but in this case the club has only sent an advisory.

Boats were heavily damaged at the Charlottetown Yacht Club during Hurricane Juan in 2003. (CBC)

There are very few first time owners with boats large enough to require the crane, said Murray, so most have learned from their previous brushes with tropical storms and Hurricane Juan.

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The Yacht Club has already removed some of its docks, with more scheduled to come out after the Thanksgiving weekend.

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