To Do Lists.....

capta · Jan 21, 2016

When I bought my first big boat in 1969, I had lists for everything. To do lists, to buy lists, check lists and lists to check the check lists.
Now we have an excellent inventory of items aboard and maybe a half as*sed grocery shopping list every 4th or 5th time we go food shopping, but that's probably because markets here won't necessarily have tomorrow what they had yesterday, so we buy by availability.
I will compile a list if I'm embarking on a project, but again, things are so dependent on availability here that often my time is spent trying to find something that will do the job of an item on the list.

Birdman737 · Jan 21, 2016

My "Boat Projects" list is basically a Google Doc (text based) that I list projects by target completion season. Since it's an informal text file, I can put notes like measurements and planned wire routings indented under each project line. Using a cloud based system is great, since I can refer to it on the boat with my smartphone or at home on my laptop or tablet while shopping online for the boat. It's also great since there's automatically a back up copy if/when I drop the phone overboard or in the bilge.

My maintenance log and part inventory is also cloud based for the same reasons.

However, for repetitive checklist type lists like winterization or spring commissioning, where the same items are accomplished every time you run the checklist, I use the "Durable Checklist" feature of an Android App called Note Everything. It's very fast, and can be reset after completing the checklist so it's available for the next iteration. Unfortunately, I don't think this app is really supported anymore, and it does not sync to a cloud like Google Drive very well... so I have a manual backup.

Can anyone suggest a good cloud based checklist app that's good for a checklist that's repeated with the same items frequently?

druid · Jan 23, 2016

cb32863 said:
I have a Word doc that is my ToDo list and I also have a spreadsheet of what I need to buy for individual projects. I put the cost and a link to the vendor as well. I mark the tab green when I have done that project. Yes the total can get a bit scary sometimes and here is a bit of advice on that. Never.....EVER.... total up all the costs for all your projects whether complete or not..... that number is the really scary one.

I DON'T put the cost, budget, or anything like that in my Todo List (sometimes in the Major Project part). Cuz... well, I just don't want to know.

druid

Kings Gambit · Jan 23, 2016

I use hand-written lists that I usually make on the boat, and then bring home to "sort out" priorities. Priority is usually driven by anticipated uses (i.e., what can wait and what cannot). I have 3 or 4 of 'em around here now. Basic philosophy is: boat must be ready to safely travel at all times throughout Southern California. So, things actually get done. I recently installed a high-water alarm w/ shut-off switch, replaced lazy jacks, put on a new bottom (paint), switched out some thru-hulls & ball valves, had the diaphragm for the sail drive replaced, cleaned and (dry) lubricated the mainsail batten car bearings, put up an anti-sea gull device on the radar, and etc. After a time, I consolidate the lists into an updated on, and start again. It never ends.

Stu Jackson · Jan 23, 2016

Kings Gambit said:
It never ends.

Too true!

One of the issues I hear repeatedly on this and other boating forums is: "I left my list on the boat." "I have my manuals at home." "I'm on the boat, the list is at home."

Bah humbug, sounds like either avoidance, poor planning or denial.

Years ago at a regatta we got a nice small canvas tote bag with out boat's logo and name.

My wife calls it "Stu's PURSE!"

Disclaimer: male & female equality rules!

I keep my lists in that bag, both the printed out word processor one and the current index card list.

It comes with me to the boat and goes home with me, so the list is always available.

Now, if I could only remember to write down all those good ideas...

Monterey385 · Jan 23, 2016

Reminders on iPad and OneNote on iPad, PC, and Windows Phone. Will likely change Windows Phone for iPhone soon ... Can't figure out whether to wait for the 7 ... All lists on all devices.

Ron20324 · Jan 23, 2016

[QUOTE="... Now, if I could only remember to write down all those good ideas...[/QUOTE]

Stu, that's why I use 3 x 5 cards- they travel just about everywhere with me in my shirt pocket. When I started carrying them on weekend club cruises, I got a nice ready-reference list that I could attack- some as soon as I got back to the dock. Most important, I have the SIZES of things I need to buy.

Curious Sailor · Jan 23, 2016

CptnRn said:
I keep various to-do lists in the "Notes" app on my iPhone. It sync's through the "Cloud" with my laptop computer at home. I really like that because I can do any major updates or modifications on the laptop, which is much easier than thumb-typing on the iPhone. But I still have the ability to edit the Notes when I'm out on the boat or at the store.

I do the same lol... I have tons of notes on that thing!

Kings Gambit · Jan 23, 2016

Stu Jackson said:
Too true!

One of the issues I hear repeatedly on this and other boating forums is: "I left my list on the boat." "I have my manuals at home." "I'm on the boat, the list is at home."

When I'm on the boat, I don't usually need a list; that's where I make 'em. So unless it's fixed or going to be on that visit, I'll usually become "reminded" when I get aboard. Oh yeah, I was going to fix that too!!

Ward H · Jan 23, 2016

I use Excel with various tabs for tracking Spending, Projects (details, estimated costs and final costs), Rigging dimensions, Electrical projects with calculations, purchase comparisons and purchases, etc. Projects are prioritized as to before launch, on water and upgrade, safety, boat preservation, etc.
While the spending tab can be scary it allows me to look at my spending and come up with a yearly budget after the first two years of repairs and upgrades.
I'm a big fan of Evernote so I use that for my To Do lists. It synchs with my iPhone, iPad and laptop so I can make notes at home or at the boat. I have my Pre Launch lists and Winter Prep lists. I also make a separate note for each boat work visit where I keep my notes on what tools I need, what I need to buy and what I get accomplished.
I also have all my boat related manuals, diagrams and How To's in Evernote so they are always available from whatever device I happen to be using.

Ken13559 · Jan 23, 2016

I don't trust To Do List to memory. I'll soon forget the "...need to replace thru-hull hose.." I use my trusty good old Compaq iPaq PDA for To Do List. I even put the task in the iPaq calendar so that I'm reminded of things to do for coming weekends. Talk about being "Kiasu" (local slang for afraid to lose).

Kermit · Jan 23, 2016

Ward H said:
I use Excel with various tabs for tracking Spending, Projects (details, estimated costs and final costs), Rigging dimensions, Electrical projects with calculations, purchase comparisons and purchases, etc. Projects are prioritized as to before launch, on water and upgrade, safety, boat preservation, etc.
While the spending tab can be scary it allows me to look at my spending and come up with a yearly budget after the first two years of repairs and upgrades.
I'm a big fan of Evernote so I use that for my To Do lists. It synchs with my iPhone, iPad and laptop so I can make notes at home or at the boat. I have my Pre Launch lists and Winter Prep lists. I also make a separate note for each boat work visit where I keep my notes on what tools I need, what I need to buy and what I get accomplished.
I also have all my boat related manuals, diagrams and How To's in Evernote so they are always available from whatever device I happen to be using.

No you don't. I mean, seriously. Nobody is *that* daggum organized or committed. (I tried to put the Stir the Pot smiley face here just to let you know that I actually envy your ability to keep up with all that. But I can't even put a Stir the Pot smiley. Maybe that has something to do with my organization skills.)

Dalliance · Jan 23, 2016

I used to keep a running file in Word. Now I just use the Notes app on my iPhone & iPad. They synch to each other and my laptop. Always with me.
It's kind of organized by season. Winter, spring & fall project lists, plus check lists for spring launch prep before and after splash, and autumn haul out and winterizing. With only a five or six month sailing season, I try to minimize summer projects, just normal maintenance and whatever repairs come up.

carbonrobot · Jan 25, 2016

I use Trello for my todo lists (and professionally, for work items). It's available on the web and for any device. Free and dead simple to learn to use.

Ward H · Jan 27, 2016

Kermit said:
No you don't. I mean, seriously. Nobody is *that* daggum organized or committed. (I tried to put the Stir the Pot smiley face here just to let you know that I actually envy your ability to keep up with all that. But I can't even put a Stir the Pot smiley. Maybe that has something to do with my organization skills.)

HeHe, I do have a tendency to overthink things a bit.

Apex · Jan 28, 2016

I have a mixed bag of lists, and winter time is a great time to consolidate the lists and create the sheets like Ward...running rigging specs, and any hard to find part numbers get logged as well. With a list that would be so long, I have put regular PM in it's own launch or drydock task list and just the major projects are listed allowing me to expand to finer detail as needed. I always seem to bring an entire truckload of project parts but end up drinking beer, hanging out with friends, and sailing instead of completing projects....gets lumped in as "food"

As for finance, I track ALL spending, and anything boat related gets that category within MSMoney...I usually run a report when curious and it isn't that bad...note: refer to previous comment on distractions from projects.....the beer budget on the other hand.....

Bob J. · Jan 28, 2016

At my age I try not to write anything down.
1. I'll lose the note
2. This way when I forget about it, look at all the money I just saved.

Kings Gambit · Jan 28, 2016

Apex said:
I have a mixed bag of lists, and winter time is a great time to consolidate the lists and create the sheets like Ward...running rigging specs, and any hard to find part numbers get logged as well. With a list that would be so long, I have put regular PM in it's own launch or drydock task list and just the major projects are listed allowing me to expand to finer detail as needed. I always seem to bring an entire truckload of project parts but end up drinking beer, hanging out with friends, and sailing instead of completing projects....gets lumped in as "food"

As for finance, I track ALL spending, and anything boat related gets that category within MSMoney...I usually run a report when curious and it isn't that bad...note: refer to previous comment on distractions from projects.....the beer budget on the other hand.....

Thankfully, we have no "winters" here in Southern California; so, I never have time like that to track spending on the boat so meticulously.

Apex · Jan 28, 2016

Gambit: I just looked this morning...last year was likely a banner spending year!!! I won't show that to the wife.... :O)
mental note: don't do that again too.

gpd955 · Jan 29, 2016

Same here....Notes on the iPhone. It's always with me and since the to-do list changes with the wind, I never forget to update it. The to-do list in my head is supposedly always available but I can never seem to find it when I need it!