Shakedown Cruise First
It's not so much that I worry about the boat being safe; I worry about the people on board being safe. Like all boats, mine has a certain number of "idiosyncrasies" that I (we) have learned the hard way and can hopefully predict. As many of you know from experience, sailing is a pastime that links together hours of pure pleasure with moments of shear terror. Anchoring, mooring, docking, a difficult passage at low water through a narrow gut with the wind and tide against you, and the motor running “unreliably” are just a few of the “drills” we deal with on the boat. Out-of-date charts, new compass deviation a la the kids boom box being placed right below the compass, weather that changes hourly and the infamous NOAA predictions of “10-12 knots” actually being 15 – 25 with gusts to 30. As to putting it away, since we have two teenage boys who want to help, in order to get off the boat asap when we return to the mooring, I don’t mind it if they stow the gear a little differently each time. So what, how many places are there to look on a 25 footer? Ultimately, I do have folks who I feel would be more than qualified to solo on my boat. No one has asked yet, and I’m not sure they would, but I’m sure that after a shakedown cruise with them, I’d feel more than comfortable lending them the boat. Also, it helps to document the different systems on board and to place helpful checklists in key places. Even I forget, or in my haste, skip important steps on-board when using the different systems. Heck, I’m only human. And these little reminders are great for my family and also when we have friends and newbies on board. It allows them to try things on their own, to ask questions about the different systems and to get a glimpse of how I see the boat as a “complete package”, hull, sails, safety, electrical, engine etc. Not just as a place to quaff beverages on a sunny afternoon.
