Item
Item
Complete
Before going to the boat
Check the forecast and local wind and wave conditions
Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back (float plan)
Prepare guests: appropriate clothing and gear to bring, seasickness prevention
On the boat: before starting up
Disconnect and stow away dock power and water lines.
Smell around the cabin for any suspicious fumes
Check the engine: fuel, oil (even if you don’t plan to use it); inspect hoses, look for loose wiring, etc.
Check the bilges for fluids or leaks
Open seacock for engine water intake
With a gas engine, run the blower before starting
Confirm safety equipment present: fire extinguishers, flares, PFDs for all crew, first aid kit, etc.
While the engine warms up (if used to leave the dock)
Check engine cooling water outflow; check engine gauges
Open other seacocks (head, sinks, etc.)
Turn on the VHF and check the forecast if needed
On the boat: show guests around
Stow personal items and gear out of the way
Show how to put on a PFD
Show how to operate the marine head
Talk with new guests about what to do in an emergency
Just before heading out
Tune the VHF to channel 16
Turn on and test other appropriate electronics: plotter, radar, etc. (running lights at night)
Ensure your chart is handy (with paper chart backup for a plotter)
Assign crew roles for leaving the dock, handling lines and fenders, etc.
Make sure non-crew guests are comfortably seated out of the way
Before going to the boat
Check the forecast and local wind and wave conditions
Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back (float plan)
Prepare guests: appropriate clothing and gear to bring, seasickness prevention
On the boat: before starting up
Disconnect and stow away dock power and water lines.
Smell around the cabin for any suspicious fumes
Check the engine: fuel, oil (even if you don’t plan to use it); inspect hoses, look for loose wiring, etc.
Check the bilges for fluids or leaks
Open seacock for engine water intake
With a gas engine, run the blower before starting
Confirm safety equipment present: fire extinguishers, flares, PFDs for all crew, first aid kit, etc.
While the engine warms up (if used to leave the dock)
Check engine cooling water outflow; check engine gauges
Open other seacocks (head, sinks, etc.)
Turn on the VHF and check the forecast if needed
On the boat: show guests around
Stow personal items and gear out of the way
Show how to put on a PFD
Show how to operate the marine head
Talk with new guests about what to do in an emergency
Just before heading out
Tune the VHF to channel 16
Turn on and test other appropriate electronics: plotter, radar, etc. (running lights at night)
Ensure your chart is handy (with paper chart backup for a plotter)
Assign crew roles for leaving the dock, handling lines and fenders, etc.
Make sure non-crew guests are comfortably seated out of the way