Start-up/Shut-down checklist

[Warren Milberg]

I took my landlubber father-in-law for a sail not long ago. While he enjoyed himself, he was astounded to watch me go through about 20 minutes of my start-up checklist prior to heading out, and about an equal amount of time after we came back in. This time does not include time to flake and cover sails, roll up the bimini, put away cushions, etc. which adds another 20 minutes or so, but rather checking engine oil/water/belts/clamps, opening and/or closing seacocks, running a DVOM check on battery state-of-charge, and so forth.

What do you do prior to heading out for sail, or when you come back in, and how long does it normally take you?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Checklists remind me of Anne Lammott

...the writer who once said: "I sit down and like all good authors, write an outline or checklist of what I'm planning to write. To which my husband replied, 'Ha, Anne, how would you know, you've never done it that way!' "

I wrote a checklist 10 years after we bought the boat! I cobbled together something I'd shamelessly copied from a C320 website post and amended and extended it for our boat, but I personally don't have to use it, it's there for teaching my son who is beginning to want to sail again, and for anyone else.

I kinda find that getting the boat ready to go and putting her away is lot like knowing all the verses to "Roll Me Over in the Clover" - it's a way of life. You do it so often you have a mental checklist.

We will undoubtedly get the "I put the key on the raw water intake thru hull" comments to this topic, but they're welcome as a good idea, too.

We also have a nice situation: where our marina is requires a 40 minute motor to open water, which allows us to get on board, open thru hulls and leave. We then get the boat ready while motoring out. Don't feel any time's wasted and it's a nice start to the day. I do this singlehanded, too. Other nice part is it's down wind in the afternoon coming home. Lovely, just sooo relaxing.

Closing up checklist? All written down, but all in my head, too, we rarely use the paper one, I may sometime when I get back to the boat, just to see if I've missed anything or can improve on it.

For new sailors? It's not a bad idea to start a checklist now as a measure of the discipline that's required to do things right and in a certain order.

One of the most important safety items I can think of is the electrical system. Having a checklist and a wiring diagram for that is, I believe, pretty critical.

 

[Ed Schenck]

This question is going to bring so many varied responses. My own mental checklist changed dramatically when I moved the boat from Lake Erie to west Florida. My slip is so different and I have tide and wind issues now.

I have always been pressed for time so, like Stu, I like to do as much as possible while underway. How many mistakes can one make I wonder? Cooling water is one. Not preparing to reef properly could be another. Docklines not secured could be a problem. What am I missing?

 

[Ron20324]

I can shut the boat down in 15 minutes. 30 minutes if someone helps me.

 

[nick8489]

Lack of Technical Clarity

.

I kinda find that getting the boat ready to go and putting her away is lot like knowing all the verses to "Roll Me Over in the Clover" - it's a way of life. You do it so often you have a mental checklist.
quote]

Let's have a bit more about "Roll Me Over in the Clover" Stu

 

[Dan Johnson]

Warren...

I've mentioned before that a previous owner was an ex Air Force pilot. He left a legacy of "No Step" and "No Hand Hold" stickers on many boat parts, but his "Start-up/Shut Down" check list was a classic: it started with "Board Boat" and ended with "Leave Boat"!

The first year I owned the boat I followed the core parts of the PO's check list as it had more systems than my previous boat. But, like Stu says, it is now ingrained and routine.

After boarding, certain things get done in order, more if we're leaving the slip and actually going sailing. Oil level and battery status checks are a must. I can usually get under way in about a half hour. Sooner if deck-work things like sail cover removal and bimini deployment are done under way with crew help (otherwise I do all of this before leaving the dock).

Returning, all deck work gets done first, then the internal shut-down's. I start in the v-berth and work my way back through the boat taking care of each item as I reach it. Due to my wife's health, I usually do all this myself and it takes the better part of an hour to put the boat to bed, more if I have to pack up provisions, bedding, clothes, etc. With crew, deck work goes fast, but I'm still slow and meticulous about closing the boat up.

 

[rod1029]

checklist

Would it be possible for some of you with checklist to post them so we can compare and contrast with our own (sharing of ideas), or for new folks to get ideas for their own checklist....

thanks everyone
Rod

 

[Guest]

Check list

Pretty basic here, maybe ten minutes tops.

1. Turn on Garmin Sounder/autopilot/VHF radio.
2. Disconnect shore power cord and lay cord on anchor roller.
3. Start engine.
4. Untie dock lines and toss on deck.
5. Shift into reverse.

While heading down the fairway I stow cord, dock lines and fenders. Once I turn into the channel the head sail opens and off goes the engine.

I suppose there are lots of other things I can do such as check the oil, coolant, belts, sump pumps, stuffing box drip rate, cost of tea in China, etc., etc., etc.

Terry Cox

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Our method varies and depends on how long it will take us to actually get ready and what the tides are like. With the boat behind the house it can take minutes or MUCH longer depending on how much crap I have to carry from the house to the boat or vice versa or on how the kids are (the 3 year old is great, listens well and knows when to sit down out of the way below while we are getting ready, but the infant might need some attention before we can get underway). On a quick evening sail after work, if the wife has stuff ready to put on the boat when I walk in the door, I can carry it down to the boat, open the seacocks and start the engine... then the rest depends on how long it takes her to come down to the boat. I may or may not take the sail cover off, attach the sheets to the jib, etc because we can do that on the water if she comes down faster than usual. For longer trips overnights/weekends etc, it is amazing how much stuff we seem to take with the 2 kids now, but it seems appropriate. Sometimes we pack up the night before, but recently we haven't been that ahead of ourselves. With all that junk though, the wife is great about stowing it while motoring out and when done we can raise the sails. The critical systems like raw water intake are the ones that I really care about and when underway we can do the rest... guess I don't really have a checklist really...just depends on how ready the boat is already for what we plan on doing.

Cheers!

 

[Mike G.]

Car Keys, Cell Phone, Wallet

Those of us on a mooring have a few extra items to check prior to jumping on the launch or dink:

Don't forget
*Wallet
*Car Keys
*Cell Phone
*Eye Glasses (if sun glasses are being worn)

The sharp launch drivers usually remind us, but most don't

Mike

 

[Benny]

Once you do it enough times is second nature. If you forget something like uncovering a winch when you try to use it you will be reminded. If the engine starts you have battery power, if the bilge pump is not running there are no leaks. if the control panel does not buzz there is oil in the engine, temperature is ok and the alternator is charging. When you look at the instruments if they are off you turn them on. When you sit down on the hard cockpit seats you'll remember to bring out the cushions. If you are dragging fenders, no big deal, someone may or may not notice. Your confidence in your maintenance will show in how quickly you get underway. We have taken off on an overnight run to Key West without even checking the oil. We rely on three modes of propulsion an never had all three failed, a) wind b) engine c) Tow BoatUS. "Whatever happens is going to happen out there"

 

[Stu Jackson]

Roll Me Over

in The Clover. In response to a steadily diminishing number of requests...

Roll me over in the clover, roll me over, lay me down and do it again.

That's the chorus, you can make up the verses as you go along, none of which is ready for prime time here or on TV without George Carlin's permission.

Boat time checklist implementation should NOT include how much crap you have to drag to the boat or how slow your family might be getting from your house to your boat 20 feet away. I don't think that was the intent of the question.

My long, and hardly ever used checklist follows. The reason I usually gag in posting these is that the value of MAKING YOUR OWN checklist is directly proportional to its value to you. That said, I mentioned I did "steal" it, so, as many of you might guess, it was a LOT shorter before I got my hot little hands on it!

[FONT=&quot]AQUAVITE[/FONT] Catalina 34 Sail & Hull # 224 1986
VHF Whiskey Charlie Foxtrot 1537 Registration No.: CF 1537 JG

BOARDING CHECKLIST


Stow Main Hatch – aft cabin
Locker Locks – port coaming
DC House Loads On – 1-2-B switch on “1” (see below)
Check Battery Voltages, Amps & Amp Hours with Link 2000
Bilge Pump Auto/Manual switch under galley sink, always back to auto
Seacocks Open: Galley out, Head in, Engine Raw Water in, Head Sink out
Set Holding Tank valves
Set Refrigerator ON
Check Weather on VHF WX or 2
Launch Dingy Before Using Diesel Heater
CNG Gas Valve - aft cabin settee

ELECTRICAL AC/DC Load Switches

AC -- 30 amp Master ON when on shorepower
AC Outlets -- will be on with AC master
Battery Charger -- via Link 2000 – OFF with shorepower off
Inverter -- via Link 2000 - OFF
Water Heater (pushbutton) ON only when on shorepower

DC Master (1-2-B) 1: HOUSE; 2 : START; do NOT use BOTH

DC PANEL


Left side

Running Lights
Anchor Light rarely used – see oil lamps
Spreader (deck light)
Steaming Light – only when motoring at night
Cabin Lights On after dark
Green DC power on light

Right Side

Refrigerator
Macerator Pump - on only when pumping overboard with small thru hull open
Instruments – DS, KM, WS (Autopilot separate switch under helmsman seat)
Water Pressure – fresh water galley and head sink
Stereo – also powers Loran
Sump Pump – shower sump power, separate switch in head; also powers stereo subwoofer



DEPARTURE CHECKLIST


Before Engine Start


Check Engine hours for fuel level
Set Holding Tank valves
Check Engine (Oil & Coolant Levels)
Check Raw Water Strainer, Seacock Open
Check Fuel Filter Water Sump
All Gear Below Stowed for Sailing
Record Amp Hours from Link 2000 in log book
Hatches Closed & Secure for Seaway
Prepare Rig for Sailing
Shore Power Loads Off
Stow Shore Power Cable
Tend Dingy
VHF handheld at helm
Binoculars at helm
Seat cushions starboard and helm
Throwable cushions out
Charts and GPS Waypoints reviewed

Engine Start

1-2-B on “1”
Regulator switch on 50% (under head sink)
Instruments OFF
Confirm raw water seacock open
Gearbox in Neutral
Throttle to 1/3rd FWD of Idle
Key On (tan, bumps down) with Low Oil Pressure Alarm sounding
Glow Plug button On for 15 Seconds
Release glow plug button
Start (Push Button on Panel)
Check for water exhaust
Reduce throttle down to low idle before 45 second delay on tachometer
Set Idle @ 1100 RPM when tachometer starts
Check Low Oil Pressure Alarm Off
Instruments ON

Engine Stop

Throttle down to 1100 rpm
Gearbox in neutral
Pull Stop Handle Up, engine stops
Push stop handle down fully
CCW ignition key, remove key, hang on stop handle
Gearbox in reverse when sailing
STARBOARD SWITCH PANEL


Upper Left – saloon light (up is OFF)
Upper Right – galley light (up is OFF)
Lower Left – Galley sink assist pump (down is OFF)
Lower Right – Combiner ground leg shutoff



5 DAY CHECKLIST


Check Steering Cables
Check Exhaust Hoses
Check Transmission Fluid Level
Check Battery Water Level
Check Engine Belt and Cooling Hoses
Check Bilge Pump Operation
Check Rigging Hardware
Check Running & Steaming Light Operation


SEASONAL CHECKLIST


Change Engine Oil @ 50 hours
Change transmission fluid – gear in starboard settee
Check Engine Zincs – 4 months see engine log
Check All Bilge Areas
Service Winches
Check Anchor Fastenings


Orig. Date: Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Update: Friday, September 18, 2009

 

[Bob S]

Throttle to 1/3rd FWD of Idle

Stu,
I have left the throttle all the way down "idle" speed when I start mine. Is that typical protocol when starting the engine?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Throttle position to start

I have left the throttle all the way down "idle" speed when I start mine. Is that typical protocol when starting the engine?

Bob,

Nope, it's ONLY because I still have to get around to adjusting the idle speed connection at the engine end of the cable, and is why the 1100 rpm is mentioned on shutdown, too. Once I do that work, then the checklist changes back to idle position. It never hurts, however, in colder weather, to crank it up a bit when starting anyway. You can always back it off. Notice, too, that the tach doesn't start immediately because of the 45 second delay built into the regulator.

Stu