Check Lists for Standard Operating Procedures

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C

Chuck

Hi all! I am wondering if anyone has done checklists for common situations you go through on your boat. Examples are a) leaving for a day sail, b) returning from a day sail, c) have a new overnight guest on the boat, d) leaving the boat unattended for a few weeks etc. etc. and on and on. How do you deal with this? Obviously, each owner will have to customize each list for their boat and their m.o.
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,904
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Chuck, my list is pretty basic...

is there beer in the reefer? If no then replenish before casting off. If yes then... On a more serious note I have yet to come across a sailor that has a list. I made one up when I first got into boating, but found it more of nuisance. Now it is more mental. I always keep the boat ready to go. All through hulls are closed until I need to use them. Other than checking the engine fluids, the rest is just stowing the shore power cord, switching on the operating systems (autopilot, GPS, VHF, etc.) and casting off the dock lines. Some hang the ignition key on the propulsion engine raw water through hull just to make sure it is not overlooked. Of course it is a different matter as I prepare for our two month cruise this season. That list is more for provisioning, but I need to hire a diver to clean the bright work below the waterline and install fresh zincs. Other than that she is ready to go. Terry
 
B

Benny

Did once, forgot it at home. Still there.

The only checklist that I would consider necessary is for when you are leaving the boat at a port away from home to avoid having your mind play tricks on you like whether the hatch was closed or the switch was turned off, etc. We left our boat in the Bahamas for a couple of weeks and all that time I was unsure if I had closed the through the hull inlet valve to the head. A checklist properly executed would have given peace of mind.
 
P

Pat

check-list / instructions

I put together a small pamphlet to hand to 1st timers. It's well received and joked about, especially when somebody goes down to use the new LectraSan system. It usually helps them look around the boat and do something while we are getting aboard & set up. It also helps us choose the 'pointer' and 'alternate pointer' in case of a man overboard and explains what we'll do with the boat to get back to the swimmer, shows where the fire extinguishers are, and where the beer is kept, so it's not all stiff & formal. It does set the tone for what we'll do if everything hits the fan and I think it puts a newbie at ease for the trip. I'm not organized enough to always use a check list for coming & going. So far a routine system has worked, - so far.
 
D

David Robinson

Can You Share

Pat, Could you upload to share? Thanks Dave S/V Quiet Wings Passgae 456
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Don't have a check list but

I have a list of GPS cords for each map I have, a list of all the sizes, brands, models, , capacities, SN and such for all the equipment so I can avoid "going to the boat just to get the oil filter #" and most inportantly to me a list of stuff that needs fixed. I have found that if I just jot a note in the logbook about such and such needs rebedded etc I can go through it at the end of the cruise and update my "needs fixed" list. This also lets be do a plan for Spring commisioning that actually results in a boat I don't have to mess with for a while in the Summer
 
T

Tony

list

This list was on this site some months ago: Electrical Turn all DC off. Turn AC Main switch on. Turn AC Battery Charger switch on. Confirm that dock breaker is on. Plumbing Pump out head holding tank. Fill water tank. Close water tank supply cocks. Close galley sink seacock. Close head sink seacock. Close engine raw water intake - aft berth, port side. Close head raw water intake - aft berth, starboard, aft. Confirm head pump out is closed - aft berth, starboard, forward. Check hose clamps on sea cocks. De-pressure fresh water system. Flush fresh water and 1 cup vinegar thru the head. Put engine key on engine raw water intake seacock. Pull out the knot meter paddle wheel. Cockpit / Sails Clean out pedestal pockets. Stow everything inside. Stow winch handle. Stow boat hook. Remove and stow chip from chart plotter. Cover the main. Cover the pedestal. Cover the winches. Cover the bimini. Cover the man-overboard pole. Cover horseshoe buoy. Remove and stow dodger windows and sides. Wrap genoa sheets, tie them off, and hang them. Bungee the genoa. Lock the roller furling drum. Secure halyards. Secure the anchor. Haul up the swim ladder. Close the propane tank valve. Loosen the clew outhaul. Loosen the jib halyard. Hang all lines. Tighten the steering wheel lock. Lock the dock box. Check the fenders. Check dock lines. Cabin Test bilge pump. Prop cushions up. Hang mildew preventers. Secure v-berth door. Secure head door. Close and lock all ports and hatches. Hang shades in all ports. Empty, open and secure the ice box. Put baking soda in the ice box.
 
Sep 28, 2005
26
Hunter 40 Point Roberts, WA
New Guests

Chuck, the June 2005 issue of Pacific Yachting did a great article on how to prepare invited guests. The article, Inviting First Timers, covers off all the information people would want to know in advance and what they can expect once aboard. We've adapted it into a info letter we send to our guests which covers off specifics for our boat and sailing region. Drop me your email address if you are interested in having a look. You email me through the owner directory link at the top of the page.
 
Oct 7, 2005
66
Hunter 41DS Brownsville, WA
Copy of the list

I would also like a copy of the checklist but I couldn't find gthorne in the owner/user name search. My email is jveatch@earthlink.net
 
P

Pat

new guest instructions

I'd be happy to post most of my hand-out. It fits on an 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper folded in half to give 4 sides. The inside is laid out in a 'word' format and the outside portions are 'cut & paste' so I don't have them in a format to send. How do I go about uploading a word file? I can e-mail it to somebody who is more technoligically advanced than me if I turn out to be a slow learner on uploading.
 
C

Chuck

Cruising Sailors and Lists

I came across this quotation today, "Cruising sailors make lists like stagnant water makes mosquitoes." REESE PALLEY from Unlikely Passage, 1984 Not alot of people are 'fessing up to them. <grin> Pat, if you like, you can email the document to me at clstx@att.net and I would try to upload. gthorne is listed in the owner directory under last name Thorne if anyone needs to email him for a copy of the info letter for new guests.
 
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Pat

guest instructions

Chuck, did you get them, if not then my computer has more operator error than I figured 'cause I tried to e-mail them mid week. We've been down at the boat show in Jack London Square since Thursday and got a few new toys & hit several good seminars. Incidentally it looks like we have a 'cruise in' for the week-end of June 17th in the works. It should be sort of loose-knit and fun, give us a chance to meet a bunch of new friends and get us off & running, details (of sort) to follow as they take shape. SAVE THE DATE AND PASS THE WORD TO OTHER HUNTER OWNERS. Maybe we should give a prize to the oldest boat, and take up a collection for debt relief for the newest?
 
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