Two of the big stars at this week’s Hurricane Preparation Symposium in Orlando were not on the stage. But many panelists raved about them.

Anchors from Helix Mooring Systems, Inc., and elastic rodes from Hazelett Marine can combine to keep even large vessels more stable during a big storm. They also can secure floating docks, giving them enough spring to move with the surge.

BoatU.S.

Depending on the size, the elastic anchoring systems can withstand storm surge of up to 20 feet; hard-trawl floats keep the pieces off the sea bottom or block; and the company offers plenty of options for scope.

They can attach to Helix anchors to secure floating docks, boat moorings and wave attenuators.

For boats taken to so-called "hurricane hole" to ride out the storm or anchored in other protected spots, this system makes sense. And if your marina can get bigger boats out and move smaller boats to bigger slips with the right rodes, the boats' chances will improve.

A few lucky symposium attendees won 14-ton and 25-ton elastic mooring systems, worth $2,500 and $3,500 respectively. Others took home elastic rode pendants worth between $750 and $1,400.

Hazelett can put together packages for different boats and water depths. The town of Chatham, Mass., in October 2007 installed such systems on three 100-foot ships. and For more details, check out www.helixmooringsystems.com and www.hazelettmarine.com.

If the experts like them, these products are probably worth a look.