We're leaving at the end of the month for a three week trip on the boat to Barkley Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. I've been busy getting the boat prepared and would love some input on things I may have forgotten to check on. I also thought it might be helpful to others going through trip preparations to be able to share in our collective wisdom. Here's what I've done so far: Bottom: boat hauled and power washed, rust stop primer, antifouling paint, shaft alignment and cutless bearing checked, zincs replaced, through hulls serviced, prop cleaned and checked. Standing Rigging: All wire rope checked for broken wires, fittings checked for cracks and wear, rigging tape replaced; checked sheaves for wear or other problems. Running Rigging: Sheets, halyards, reeflines and topping lift examined for wear or fraying, all fittings examined and tightened. Engine: replaced fuel filters, changed oil and oil filters, tightened all hose clamps, check all hoses and fuel lines; checked belt tension and wear; carrying spare filters, belts, raw water impeller and gasket. Battery: Tested specific gravity of all cells; topped off water; tightened battery terminals; fully secured battery boxes. Sails: Checked all seams and grommets for wear or loose threads. Lifelines and stanchions: Checked for loose stanchions and fittings and wear on life lines. Ground tackle: Removed from anchor locker and examined for condition, shackles and seizing wire checked; drain in anchor locker cleared of debris. What else should I/others be doing? Thanks. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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William Hankins
take an oil absorbant pad
Gary I just returned from a two week trip during which some engine oil was spilled into my boats bilge. The small amount of spillage in the bilge showed when I pumped the bilge,I spent a few hours with paper towels cleaning to clean it up. If I had an absorbant pad in my bilge it would have soaked up the oil. The pads are available at marine supply stores and dont cost much. Have a nice trip. Bill, S/V THIN ICE
Gary I just returned from a two week trip during which some engine oil was spilled into my boats bilge. The small amount of spillage in the bilge showed when I pumped the bilge,I spent a few hours with paper towels cleaning to clean it up. If I had an absorbant pad in my bilge it would have soaked up the oil. The pads are available at marine supply stores and dont cost much. Have a nice trip. Bill, S/V THIN ICE
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Ned Strain
BoatSafe's Web Site Check List
Lots of good information on this site. And don't forget, a problem can occur at any distance from your home port - the only difference is that away from your usual area, you may have a tough time calling friend to "meet at the dock with a (needed tool)" Have a grand cruise. Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chicago
Lots of good information on this site. And don't forget, a problem can occur at any distance from your home port - the only difference is that away from your usual area, you may have a tough time calling friend to "meet at the dock with a (needed tool)" Have a grand cruise. Ned and Tani Strain s/v Family Therapy 1995 h336 Chicago
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Clyde
Prepare Yourself Mentally...
Gary, Your list is excellent. When planning for an extended trip, you always wonder if you have forgotten or overlooked something. I use a check list to help me list the general things I need for my trip. What I do next to prepare myself for an extended voyage is to breakdown the various systems on the boat and analyze what function they provide as it pertains to either my survival or comfort. I look at what would happen if they should fail or become damaged. I ask myself: 1) "What If" the system I am looking at is not available or was damaged? What function does it provide? 2) Can I fix it or repair it or do I have a spare to replace it? 3) Is there a backup function? 4) How long can I last using the temporary fix or backup or without this function? 5) What can I do to save myself? Survival is the first thing you look at. For example, the questions could be: 1) What if the stanchions or lifelines broke? What function does it provide? The answer could be: They keep me from falling off the boat. 2) Can I fix it or repair it or do I have a spare to replace it? The answer could be: I can't repair it at sea. 3) Is there a backup function? The answer could be: I could use harnesses and jack lines, which I normally use during extreme weather conditions, the crew would have to wear harnesses and use the jack lines whenever the boat is underway or when they are alone upside. 4) How long can I last using the temporary or backup or without this function? The answer could be: Using the backup function, I can last until I return to port. Without this function I can last maybe two hours in the water if I fell overboard. 5) What can I do to save myself? The answer could be: Have a MOB system in place with a trained crew. Never be topside when the boat is underway without wearing a PFD and harness. Another question could be: 1) What if the mainsail ripped? What function does it provide? The answer could be: The mainsail provides the major portion of my sail power function. 2) Can I fix or repair it or do I have a spare to replace it? The answer could be: I do not have a sail repair kit or tape to temporarily repair it or a spare mainsail. 3) Is there a backup function? The answer could be: I could use the engine more often. The jib and spinnaker sails can still provide sail power, but less efficiently. 4) How long can I last with using the temporary or backup or without this function? The answer could be: I would be using my diesel at a higher rate, if I sailed without the mainsail, so I would have to put into my next port of call with the facilities to repair it. 5) What can I do to save myself? The answer could be: I have enough fuel onboard to head for the nearest fueling facility if I lose my sail power. I have radio communications onboard. I have enough supplies onboard for an extended voyage at a reduce speed. I have the jib and spinnaker sails. Comfort questions could be on the Head ( use the 5-gallon and plastic bag), water system (separate from your drinking water system), food storage (if you loss your refrigeration system, do you keep some of your food stored in separate areas, etc.), lighting ( use oil lamps or candles as backup) systems, etc. You can add more questions and list multiple answers to the questions for survival and personnel comfort from lessons learned on previous voyages. Even when doing this mental "What If" scenario, you are bound to forget something. I believe this "What If" mental game provides you some peace of mind as it prepares you for your voyage mentally. Have a fun time. Clyde
Gary, Your list is excellent. When planning for an extended trip, you always wonder if you have forgotten or overlooked something. I use a check list to help me list the general things I need for my trip. What I do next to prepare myself for an extended voyage is to breakdown the various systems on the boat and analyze what function they provide as it pertains to either my survival or comfort. I look at what would happen if they should fail or become damaged. I ask myself: 1) "What If" the system I am looking at is not available or was damaged? What function does it provide? 2) Can I fix it or repair it or do I have a spare to replace it? 3) Is there a backup function? 4) How long can I last using the temporary fix or backup or without this function? 5) What can I do to save myself? Survival is the first thing you look at. For example, the questions could be: 1) What if the stanchions or lifelines broke? What function does it provide? The answer could be: They keep me from falling off the boat. 2) Can I fix it or repair it or do I have a spare to replace it? The answer could be: I can't repair it at sea. 3) Is there a backup function? The answer could be: I could use harnesses and jack lines, which I normally use during extreme weather conditions, the crew would have to wear harnesses and use the jack lines whenever the boat is underway or when they are alone upside. 4) How long can I last using the temporary or backup or without this function? The answer could be: Using the backup function, I can last until I return to port. Without this function I can last maybe two hours in the water if I fell overboard. 5) What can I do to save myself? The answer could be: Have a MOB system in place with a trained crew. Never be topside when the boat is underway without wearing a PFD and harness. Another question could be: 1) What if the mainsail ripped? What function does it provide? The answer could be: The mainsail provides the major portion of my sail power function. 2) Can I fix or repair it or do I have a spare to replace it? The answer could be: I do not have a sail repair kit or tape to temporarily repair it or a spare mainsail. 3) Is there a backup function? The answer could be: I could use the engine more often. The jib and spinnaker sails can still provide sail power, but less efficiently. 4) How long can I last with using the temporary or backup or without this function? The answer could be: I would be using my diesel at a higher rate, if I sailed without the mainsail, so I would have to put into my next port of call with the facilities to repair it. 5) What can I do to save myself? The answer could be: I have enough fuel onboard to head for the nearest fueling facility if I lose my sail power. I have radio communications onboard. I have enough supplies onboard for an extended voyage at a reduce speed. I have the jib and spinnaker sails. Comfort questions could be on the Head ( use the 5-gallon and plastic bag), water system (separate from your drinking water system), food storage (if you loss your refrigeration system, do you keep some of your food stored in separate areas, etc.), lighting ( use oil lamps or candles as backup) systems, etc. You can add more questions and list multiple answers to the questions for survival and personnel comfort from lessons learned on previous voyages. Even when doing this mental "What If" scenario, you are bound to forget something. I believe this "What If" mental game provides you some peace of mind as it prepares you for your voyage mentally. Have a fun time. Clyde
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Jack Tyler
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com
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Jim Maroldo
Long trip
The guys have given you much good info here. I'd just like to add some comfort items since you're probably going to have allot of free time: some good reading, a deck of cards, and a set of dominoes! Enjoy! Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
The guys have given you much good info here. I'd just like to add some comfort items since you're probably going to have allot of free time: some good reading, a deck of cards, and a set of dominoes! Enjoy! Jim Maroldo s/v: Lil' Wass Ett
Spare parts?
Gary: How about spare parts. Set of belts, fuel filters, water pump impeller, duct tape, bailing wire, bubble gum, wire ties etc. Check your hoses too. If they are mushy, they should be replaced.
Gary: How about spare parts. Set of belts, fuel filters, water pump impeller, duct tape, bailing wire, bubble gum, wire ties etc. Check your hoses too. If they are mushy, they should be replaced.
Just another line.
Take plenty of spare line. Have whatever diameters and types you need to replace halyards, sheets, anchor rode and mooring line (you don't need exact copies of everything but make sure your spares can suffice for whatever might break... consider overkill as redundancy). Ideally you can never have too much extra cordage on board. You may not need or want to replace a halyard at sea, but when something bad happens an extra 100 ft of line you can saw up for whatever you need will be a Godsend. JC
Take plenty of spare line. Have whatever diameters and types you need to replace halyards, sheets, anchor rode and mooring line (you don't need exact copies of everything but make sure your spares can suffice for whatever might break... consider overkill as redundancy). Ideally you can never have too much extra cordage on board. You may not need or want to replace a halyard at sea, but when something bad happens an extra 100 ft of line you can saw up for whatever you need will be a Godsend. JC
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