Things you should have checked

[jakeroyd]

my companionway steps are retained at the top with a hook and eye per side.
I had been workimg on the engone earlier and must have left then unlinked.

I stepped on the top step.
The whole steps just rotated fotward and I was pitched straight down and ended up on the table.

fortunately only a bruised shin to remember it by.

I knew instantly what I had done

 

[KAL]

Coming up the companionway in a hurry - always make sure you've opened the hatch...

 

[KAL]

When launching your tender - always make sure you've put the bung in the back...

 

[KAL]

When going to the boat - always make sure you actually have the keys...

 

[TradewindSailor]

When going to the dinghy dock, always make sure the wife's on board to tie it up!

 

[Retired in Crete]

When you start the engine, make sure you have turned the fuel on!

John

 

[alahol2]

When going to the boat - always make sure you actually have the keys...

When leaving the boat - always make sure you actually have the car keys...

 

[Pinnacle]

When leaving your marina berth always check that you have removed the bright orange ( might be blue ) mooring rope.

 

[Tam Lin]

When leaving your swinging mooring make sure that you can get the boat into gear so that you don't get swept down the river and foul the mooring behind you. Don't ask how I know this!

 

[jac]

When writing times of low water / high water on tidal curves/ tidal stream atlases, check to make sure you don't have HW times written where you should have LW times. Most amusing to get up early to catch 6 hours of foul tide.

 

[TQA]

When jumping over for a swim before breakfast in a deserted anchorage remember to deploy the boarding ladder.

 

[onesea]

Before letting go its always worth checking you have untied the tiller...

 

[Talulah]

Before letting go its always worth checking you have untied the tiller...

Before casting off always make sure the wheel is attached. ;-) Been there, done that.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Before casting off always make sure the wheel is attached. ;-) Been there, done that.

Before casting off always check;

that the shore power lead is has been disconnected
the 'off side' bow line has been uncleated
the instruments are, in fact, switched on
you are not aground

 

[Robert Wilson]

On your very first solo-sail, on leaving your mooring/dock etc., remember that you have to get back on by yourself.
Youthful enthusiasm for that "great free-spirit feeling of adventure" can outweigh forward planning.

As said above, don't ask me how I know...........

 

[Talulah]

When going solo always use the heads before you cast off.

 

[Seajet]

When leaving the boat - always make sure you actually have the car keys...

Amen ! There are two types of sailors, people who've done that, and liars !

 

[Robert Wilson]

When leaving the boat - always make sure you actually have the car keys...

And your mobile phone, house keys, wallet, car-park exit ticket, list of items needed before next sail, full dirty-washing bag........................

 

[Lakesailor]

When leaving your mooring always ensure your man has brought in the fenders.

 

[Lakesailor]

When leaving our mooring always ensure the last person out on the boat hasn't left the furling line jammed around the furling drum mechanism.