New Owner: Checklist when going out?

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watson1959

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Sad, I know, but lists work well for me.

Is there such a thing as a standard/basic checklist I should run through when prepraing for and returning from a run out?

The list seems to get longer the more I think about it so I'm guessing that the regulars here have a 'pre-flight' routine to run through?

Again...all help appreciated and I will ensure the rum locker is well stocked to repay the help.

Thanks

Simon
 
Checklist

There is probably not a standard one size fits all checklist, but I am sure many owners have developed their own checklists dependng upon the size of boat, number of engines, type of drive and other equipment on board such as gas appliances, shorepower etc.

Mine tends to be a mental checklist and I go through a set routine, but this can lead to daft ommisions such as nearly moving off with the shorepower lead still connected and trying to leave a bankside mooring with the anchor down.

Whatever list you come up with, don't forget the really important items such as making sure the fridge is on and well stocked and the corkscrew is readily to hand.
 
No written checklist, but a pause before I actually move when I think I'm ready.

THINK.

Shore power, anchor, fuel on (it's amazing how long engines will run with the fuel cocks closed...) and untie in the correct order wrt stream and wind. I've tried going with the fuel off and untied in the wrong order (bow first in strong stream in my case), have yet to wrench the shore power socket out of the boat or drive over my own anchor, but I will one day, almost certainly!

One thing I do write down is leaving a note on the helm if I have the engines in bits or the seacocks closed - you can do the same for anchor and shore power if you wish. No note, no problem!
 
Have left with anchor down, wondered why the boat was so damn sluggish and would not pick up speed...!
Shillingford can consider itself dredged in the centre channel...
 
LOL thank you all for this feedback...these glitches sound fairly typical of what I would fall foul of (especially setting off without disconnecting shore power!).

Its reassuring to know that a) even experienced boaters can c*ck up and b) my assumption that the cold, stocked fridge is realatively high on the priorities.

We did take a photo of a printed checklist kept at the helm of one boat during the search to buy.....I suspect my middle-age forgetfulness will be aided by something like this which is specific to our boat.

Thanks again....
 
Our checklist is:

Orange Mooring rope unplugged
Beer in fridge
Food in fridge
engine switched on
ropes unmoored
berth vacated
 
Assuming that the all important beer, tonic, gin, bitters, wine, port, ice and nibbles supplies are up to spec.

Look in the engine bilges for any untoward water.
Pop open the header tanks to make sure collant is visible.
Battery master switches to on
Both battery selectors to both
Depth gauge and GPS to on
Remove shore power lead and confirm on internal power.
Check in neutral and stop levels in.
Start port and check oil pressure flips up as required.
Start starboard and check oil pressure flips up as required.
Check ammeters have at least twitched, if I am just off shorer power the batteries will be full.
Glance over exhausts to check water flow
(this is where I should check the oil on dipsticks: horizontal engines and have been known to forget)
Check all anticipated crew and passengers are on board!

If I am travelling in company I check radio etc as well.
 
Checklist ?

I think a checkilist for leaving the boat would be of more use - one day I'm going to do one !

The number of times we've left milk, veggies etc on board only to realise this when we've arrived home !
 
One of the most useful lists one can ever make is a menu.
Make a menu, in fact make up a whole list of them and number them, in categories, so for example Breakfasts 1- 5, lunches 1-5, dinners 1-6, deserts 1-5, suppers 1-5, in fact the numbers went much higher but you get the picture.

I did this, laminated the list and blu-tacked it to the galley.

Before each trip we would go through our "standard menu" list at home and chose the trip menu. So, day one might be no. 2 for breakfast, no. 5 for lunch, no. 3 for dinner with dessert no. 2, and supper no. 5 and so on for each day.

That was easy to type out and print and I could then do a shopping list based on the menu, the menu list then being added to the galley with more blue-tack.

It meant no more salads with no tomatoes for example, or lack of the necessary to make Chilli con Carne.

All the rest is repetitive, ropes, sea-cocks, water tank etc, but food needs a little organising.

Oh, and the crew! My daughter is dog mad, I've lost count of the times I've steamed out of a lock only to look back at a forlorn little figure legging it up the bankside because she's hopped off at the last second to pet someone's dog just as I've cast off and returned to helm and not noticed her absence and left her behind.
 
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