What is the 1 check you always do

[rafiki_]

Engine room check. Dipstick levels, floor for water and oil leaks.

 

[Blue Sunray]

Gents, there is a fundamental think you've missed. Appreciate that they are unlikely to be reading this forum but it would be a grave mistake to cast off without making sure that your better half is aboard

Why?

 

[Jamie Dundee]

If I needed to send one I could go below and use the wired mic I suppose although if the boat was sinking or on fire that would be less appealing than risking the Bluetooth. I've also got a handheld VHF. I might get the wireless handset changed for a wired mic. Simrad radio by the way. I like the plotter a lot but this arrangement is weak.

Sounds like my RS40B. You should be able to set the radio to come on when it senses a power supply, this is how I have mine set up. I turn on the accessories power and on it comes

 

[prv]

Close the heads sink seacock. Otherwise when we’re close-hauled on port tack, the heads compartment gets an unplanned saltwater washdown.

Pete

 

[Hurricane]

Gents, there is a fundamental think you've missed. Appreciate that they are unlikely to be reading this forum but it would be a grave mistake to cast off without making sure that your better half is aboard

Don't be silly - in my case, she is the one telling ME what to do.

 

[sailorman]

That is something you have learnt about your boat , that you would not go to sea without doing. it could be fastening a door, putting a bag in front of the fridge door to keep it closed. Whats your must not forget thing?

Make sure the shore power lead is disconnected

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Sounds like my RS40B. You should be able to set the radio to come on when it senses a power supply, this is how I have mine set up. I turn on the accessories power and on it comes

Problem with that is that the NMEA power is on whilst the boat 12v is on. And I only want the radio on when we're prepping/under way, so I leave it turned off. I need to be able to turn it on from the helm.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Make sure the sun is shining! ...... which, 300 days a year it is - that's what the local blurb promises anyway!

 

[Bouba]

Actually the list is long,
Unlock the liferaft
Unfurl the flag (amazed how many times I forget this)
Check the tender isn’t full of rain water
Check the engine
Unplug the electric
Untie the boat (or it will make your knots really tight)
and of course
Life jacket on dog

 

[jon and michie]

After the essential checks - engine, fuel etc - Grab bag is at hand
Jon

 

[john_morris_uk]

Apart from all the usual engine checks and checks round the boat, one thing I try always to do is to wind the wheel from lock to lock and check we've actually got steering. I also put the engine in gear fwd and ahead before casting off any lines to make sure we've got a propellor that's turning.

(Regarding the second one, I didn't do this once and after casting off and allowing us to be blown off the pontoon a few feet, I put the gear lever ahead and nothing happened. The person who did the engine checks (not me as it happens as we has a crew of twelve on board) anyway, this person had done the checks and hadn't noticed that the gearbox had fallen off the engine - enough to stop all drive. A sister boat pulled us out of the harbour so I could set sail.)

 

[Mr Googler]

I forgot......Check no one from the Welsh Med is in the intended cruising area

except Seastoke

no danger of seeing him

or BruceK

he‘ll be broke down....

kwackers is welcome of course ?

 

[Blue Sunray]

Problem with that is that the NMEA power is on whilst the boat 12v is on. And I only want the radio on when we're prepping/under way, so I leave it turned off. I need to be able to turn it on from the helm.

I turn it on but with the volume right down, on my setup the remote volume is independent so that avoids the issue (one does however still get the occasional random DSC alarm).

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I turn it on but with the volume right down, on my setup the remote volume is independent so that avoids the issue (one does however still get the occasional random DSC alarm).

It's the alarms that are the most intrusive (by design obs) but unhelpful when you're tied up in the marina, or away at the bar even worse....

 

[paradave]

Water coming out of exhaust + oil pressure up + gears engaging + bowthruster working - all before slipping berth.

 

[oldgit]

Make sure ALL the mooring lines have been let go !

 

[Scubadoo]

Check for debris at the stern e.g. bits of floating wood etc, many years ago a piece wood caught the prop, lesson learnt. Also check steering and forward and reverse gear before casting off plus many other checks.

 

[MapisM]

Close the heads sink seacock.

Interesting that the only mention of seacocks is for closing the head sink before going out.
I can only assume that nobody bother closing the engines ones after arrival...
Tut, tut.

 

[sailorman]

Close the heads sink seacock. Otherwise when we’re close-hauled on port tack, the heads compartment gets an unplanned saltwater washdown.

Pete

Increase the loop height in the pipe

 

[jrudge]

I don't think 1 check really makes much odds!

I do the following

- Engine room look ( I am only looking for something out of order like oil or water or blocked strainers. Oil I did every 3-4 days)
-close all doors, hatches and lock cupboards. If a long passage or rough move all suff that can fall like coffee makers etc.
- start engines, select helm, nav kit on, radio on, rudder central. If first trip since arrival test thruster and port / stud on both engines. Sufficient fuel, start gen if we want AC running or if the washing machine / dishwasher is on.
- remove cross lines, shore power, one bow line and one stern line. Bring in steps and mat if not coming back
- brief crew on what we are going to do to leave ( it varies if home berth, coming back, not coming back, wind etc- does not take long and everyone knows what is going on) . Tell kids to get off their iPad!
- stern line off, bow line off, out - fenders in

It is always the same, so it get done.