Rode hard and put away wet
- Thread starter T-Schwan
- Start date
After making sure all the dock lines are secured, I use a shop vac to suck all the water out of the bilge. Then I grab the hose and wash down the deck and sides. Finally, I put the covers on the three hatches, insert the boards in the companion way and lock the boat.
I am in fresh water, so I don’t rinse anything 
Secure dock lines,
zip up sail cover
hook up shore power
store helm VHF below
wash up any dirty dishes
empty trash
turn off all DC switches except fridge,
make sure AC power is on and WH circuit is off.
Close thru-hulls
If any measurable water in the bilge, suck it out
put on helm cover
lock companionway door
Head home
Secure dock lines,
zip up sail cover
hook up shore power
store helm VHF below
wash up any dirty dishes
empty trash
turn off all DC switches except fridge,
make sure AC power is on and WH circuit is off.
Close thru-hulls
If any measurable water in the bilge, suck it out
put on helm cover
lock companionway door
Head home
First flush two gallons of freshwater through the head system, then pump out holding tank, if used. Fresh water rinse anchor, rode and deck if doused or used while out cruising. Place fenders, ground tackle and boarding step. Dock boat without hitting others. Secure bow, stern and spring lines. Connect shore power. Empty shower sump and bilge water. Place instrument covers. Stow gear. Verify shore power on and charging. Turn off any unneeded circuit breakers. Secure all hatches and port lights.
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Tidy up (so there is nothing to do when we return), close all hatches and covers, close all through hull seacocks, ensure all electrical is off and solar is charging (we unplug from shore power as well) and flush heads with vinegar if it is going to be a while till we return.
Tie up to dock, secure extra lines if a storm is expected, put canvas back on, close hatches, turn off DC power and row back to shore. I try to keep the pre and post sail prep under 10 minutes. My fenders are secured to the dock not only for convenience but so they don't pop on deck during a storm. They're secured at both ends
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Same fresh water lake as Tally Ho and Project Mayhem, so no rinsing required.
Deck & Dock: Dock lines secured, flake main and put on sail cover, coil and hang lines, zip up dodger window, instrument covers on. Cockpit cushions, winch handles, PFD’s, hand held vhf, gloves, hat etc. stored below. Shore power connected and switched on. Hang “courtesy” fenders on channel side of boat.
Below Deck: Empty ice box, drain bilge, trash and recycling out, close all hatches and port lites, confirm fresh water in head, close all seacocks, hang engine key on seacock lever, dc power off, ac power on for shore charger only. Dirty clothes & linens home in duffle bag(s). Note provisions to restock. Companionway hatch boards in and lock on.
OCD Satisfaction: Check most of above three times before leaving.
Deck & Dock: Dock lines secured, flake main and put on sail cover, coil and hang lines, zip up dodger window, instrument covers on. Cockpit cushions, winch handles, PFD’s, hand held vhf, gloves, hat etc. stored below. Shore power connected and switched on. Hang “courtesy” fenders on channel side of boat.
Below Deck: Empty ice box, drain bilge, trash and recycling out, close all hatches and port lites, confirm fresh water in head, close all seacocks, hang engine key on seacock lever, dc power off, ac power on for shore charger only. Dirty clothes & linens home in duffle bag(s). Note provisions to restock. Companionway hatch boards in and lock on.
OCD Satisfaction: Check most of above three times before leaving.
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I have a check list in Google Sheets on my phone of things to do before leaving boat in the marina. I am in fresh water, but I am sailing often for a week or so, so some items are very specific to this.
1. I leave batteries to be charged from the shore power so they will be full next time.
2. I have a portable fridge that is most energy efficient and can run on a shore power (my main is power hungry, so I only use it until I can squeeze all the food in the portable or my freezer (also power hungry) which I use as an ice box.
3. Instead of buying ice, I place 1 gal and 500 ml bottles of drinking water (bought or brought from home filtered water) into my freezer, and leave it there until next sail. It takes about two to even three days for all this water to freeze. This let’s me use the freezer as an ice box without having to deal with slushing water at the bottom of it. Also, once the water starts to melt it is nice to drink it on a hot day. For a week-long sail with 2 people I need at least 10 gallons of drinking water, but I do not use freshwater from the tank – that is for washing dishes and shower. If you want to do the same, make sure to squeeze the bottles a little, so that they do not burst when freezing. Also, you can fit more square 1 gal bottles into a freezer that round ones. If you do not have a freezer on your boat, you can bring frozen bottles with water from home.
- fenders and dock lines secured
- shore power connected
- battery charger on
- through-hulls closed
- propane bottle closed
- Fresh water powered off. pressure released
- all unnecessary circuits off
- lights off
- ports and hatches closed
- ensigns down
- main and jib secured (furling for both)
- cover electronic displays
- stow winch handles
- lock cabin
- dinghy moored and covered
- portable fridge powered from mains but not battery
- remaining perishable food packed and taken or stored in a running portable fridge (runs on AC)
- main fridge off and clean, door ajar.
- freezer on if freezing potable water for next sail (see note 3)
1. I leave batteries to be charged from the shore power so they will be full next time.
2. I have a portable fridge that is most energy efficient and can run on a shore power (my main is power hungry, so I only use it until I can squeeze all the food in the portable or my freezer (also power hungry) which I use as an ice box.
3. Instead of buying ice, I place 1 gal and 500 ml bottles of drinking water (bought or brought from home filtered water) into my freezer, and leave it there until next sail. It takes about two to even three days for all this water to freeze. This let’s me use the freezer as an ice box without having to deal with slushing water at the bottom of it. Also, once the water starts to melt it is nice to drink it on a hot day. For a week-long sail with 2 people I need at least 10 gallons of drinking water, but I do not use freshwater from the tank – that is for washing dishes and shower. If you want to do the same, make sure to squeeze the bottles a little, so that they do not burst when freezing. Also, you can fit more square 1 gal bottles into a freezer that round ones. If you do not have a freezer on your boat, you can bring frozen bottles with water from home.
I must say having a check list on the phone is just so helpful, after a day of sailing or perhaps a few days away from port, I am tired and anxious to get home, my best efforts have often ended in missing something important and so not using the checklist can result in an unwanted trip back to the marina
Forgot to empty the shower sump. Came back a couple of weeks later to a boat full of stink.
unhook the trailer, empty the cooler and wait for the next opportunity to go sailing.
Pull boat out of water, derig, tie everything down for transport... Slips are easierunhook the trailer, empty the cooler and wait for the next opportunity to go sailing.
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Trailer?unhook the trailer, empty the cooler and wait for the next opportunity to go sailing.
View attachment 224616
I figure I get paid about two hundred bucks an hour every time I put it on the trailer.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,876
Maybe... Could it be a 10Ton Semi in BMW clothing?
I saw one of these drive by yesterday. Not sure how to rate it.. Bullet proof windows broken by a tossed ball bearing..
Same here, my wife said "it looks like a space ship", I said "Or a stainless steel dumpster".