Pre-sailing checklist

**Ticketty Boo** · 07-03-2006, 15:12

I’m trying to compile a checklist for before leaving the quayside. The idea is to plasticize this and leave on the boat. I don’t want to get silly with 4th spare vhf etc, but I’ve come up with the following (In no particular order);

Lifejackets
Flares
Check Electronics
Check battery voltage
Radio Check
Anchor & chain
Anchor ropes
Battery booster pack
Mooring ropes
Fenders
Spare shackles & Tywraps
Boat hook
Oars & Rollucks
Bucket & sponge
Dry clothing
Spare fuses
Filter funnel / bailing scoop
Dry rags, toilet roll & towel
Drinking water / watertight food
Spare fuel & Engine pull cord
Tool kit
Chart
Spare fuel filter & bulb
Manuals
Tide Table
First Aid kit & eyewash bottle
waterproof torch
Mobile phone

Can anybody think of anything that I’ve missed that’s an essential, and not a luxury?

**blueskip** · 07-03-2006, 15:20

Comprehensive old list there Tickety, obviously you have already charged the battery at home? didn't see spare anchor on the list (depends on the size of your boat I suppose), otherwise the only glaring ommission was "the cuddly toy"!
Methinks you aint one of those who will be caught out!
blueskip

**eastgreen** · 07-03-2006, 15:21

fishing rod and tackle?

net

**eastgreen** · 07-03-2006, 15:22

and of course bait

**blueskip** · 07-03-2006, 15:23

Oh yes! dont forget to check your trailer wheel bearings!
blueskip

**eastgreen** · 07-03-2006, 15:31

indeed

how could I ever forget that!!

**Ticketty Boo** · 07-03-2006, 16:01

Can those that are hard of thinking have a read again please? Fishing tackle is not an essential for a boat trip, same with bait. Wheel bearings are of little use to a boat already moored at the quayside. If somebody want's to compile a pre-trailoring checklist - that's a different kettle of bananas.

I will add;
"Check battery voltage"

I also forgot to add;
Battery booster pack

It's one of those great things for jump starts, 12v out, powerful torch included and voltmeter. A very good £24 from Makro.

**ChrisP** · 07-03-2006, 16:32

Comprehensive list, I would just add a few bits.

I would take a complete fuel line including the connectors instead of just a bulb
I have a Knife fixed in a holder for emergencies.
Radar reflector
Torch
Sound signal, horn or whistle
Basic first aid kit, micropore tape, bandage, paracetamol, anti histamine cream, wire cutters, savlon cream, toilet roll.
Spare prop, nut, washer, split pin, spanner. (Without it you are going nowhere, I know it is a nightmare to change at sea, I also have a drysuit in case I have to go overboard to do this or clear a fouled rope)
I have an extra fleece, socks and tracky bottoms in a sealed bag in a locker in case I get cold or a soaking.
Bait Board, Knife and 'T' Bar

An Item to check is your fuel, have you got plenty for your session plus a healhy reserve. ( I have known people go out thinking they have plenty and they have run out within a mile of launch)

If you tow your boat and launch have a good 20 min after you arrive at the slip to get everything ready. This allows the bearings to cool after their journey. After you recover the boat give each bearing a squirt from a grease gun before you set off. This will force out any sea water that got in during the launch/recover and save your bearings.

Some of these probably don't belong on your list but I was going over my preparations for a day out so included them anyway.

**Ticketty Boo** · 07-03-2006, 17:34

Good thinking about the first aid kit, torch and spare clothing Chris. I've also added eyewash bottle which I carry anyway.

Last summer, I was out for a walk one warm evening whilst on holiday with the boat. I was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. The boat was on a tidal mooring and had water under her. I was chatting to a friend, who was the local Auxilliary Coastguard. He got a shout that a 40ft yacht which was moored well out in the bay was reported as drifting. We had a look through a small pair of binoculars and sure enough - the anchor chain was vertical, so wasn't holding.
His own boat (15ft orkney with 15hp engine) was beside mine, but wouldn't have been able to hold the yacht. My boat keys were back at the house, which was across the river. I phoned Mrs Boo, who ran down to the river with my keys. Calmly and collectedly, I told her to throw the keys (and foam keyring) as far across to me as she could.

One girly underarm 6ft throw later, the keys were floating down the river Carra on the Mull of Kintyre, so I had to dive in after them fully clothed before they went out of site (remembering to hand my mobile to somebody. Started the boat and we sped off and tied up to the yacht. The owners appeared from below to see what the noise was. They had been "sleeping" (And she'd been getting a right good "sleep" by the look of things!) and were unaware that they had dragged their anchor for a mile or so and were now not far off the rocks.

We got everything sorted and sailed back in to my mooring. With the adrenaline wearing off, the cold had set in to me and I remembered the manky old waterproof jacket that I kept in the bow locker. This kept the cold wind off and I heated up very quickly. Without it, I'd have been frozen, so even an old jacket is worth keeping on board.