Sailing to the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean 1500

To-Do List Before A Voyage

I used this list as a pre-voyage checklist for our trip on Night Heron, although I never finished checking off all the items. Some of the items are on the list because the boat was recently purchased with an unknown maintenance history.

• Go over C1500 mandatory gear list and make up to-do list so we can satisfy all items
• Inspect rigging for missing cotter pins, meathooks, rust/cracks, misaligned parts, tension
• Look for loose or misaligned parts in running rigging (shackles, blocks, stoppers, cleats, cars, winches, traveler, etc.)
• Lube blocks of running rigging with spray teflon lube, make sure nothing binds
• Seize shackles with S/S wire as required
• Roller furling bearings OK? Any chance of an overwrap at top? Fair lead on furler lines?
• Lube sail track, if required
• Inspect sails
• Try out all reef points, make sure reefing/furling systems work properly
• Tune rigging
• Lifeline - proper tension, all cotters/ring-clips in place, pelican hooks work properly?
• Keelbolts OK, or internal ballast?
• Leaking ports, hatches, or stanchion bases, etc.?
• Steering system inspection - pedestal, pedestal brake, turning blocks, cables, bearings, quadrant, stops, rudderstock. Check carefully for cable fraying where it turns sharply. Check tension. Lube everything with grease and oil.
• Emergency steering system? Try it out.
• Check throttle/transmission linkages, cables, levers, lube if necessary.
• Was prop condition checked? Are zincs current? Cutless bearing checked? Rudder bearing checked? Thru-hull openings clean?
• Engine mounts solid? Shaft alignment OK? All fluids fresh?
• Adjust stuffing box if necessary.
• Genset condition?
• Drain fuel sump, inspect fuel condition
• Autopilot - test engage/disengage, course setting
• Depth sounder OK?
• Test manual and automatic bilge pumps, high water alarm
• Inspect hoses, clamps, and thru-hulls that go below the waterline
• Windlass electric and manual operation?
• Mark anchor chain with colored wire ties as depth markings
• Chain hook and rope - to be used as chain stopper, tie off chain to mooring cleat
• Anchor washdown pump OK?
• Anchor secured?
• Bow thruster OK?
• Try SSB / tuner on ham frequencies and marine frequencies, make sure there's a license (doesn't have to be you), inspect antenna and lead-in, inspect ground plane.
• Lights - all running lights, anchor light, interior lights, compass light, engine gauge lights, lights for other equipment
• Water speedo, depth sounder, sailing instruments?
• Top off batteries if required, clean any corrosion on posts, check condition, batteries secure?
• Recharge handheld VHF and other rechargeable devices (quite a few things)
• Federal documentation, state decal, state registration/decal for dinghy, all paperwork in order. Knowledge of entry procedures into BVI.
• Voyage planning and routing complete? Chart inventory complete?
• Program waypoints/routes into main and backup GPS
• Check other electronics: GPS, chartplotter, radar, weather fax, VHF, handheld VHF, SSB
• EPIRB self-test, make sure it's registered
• Pack abandon ship bag
• Test: Smoke alarms? CO alarm? Propane alarm?
• Top off fuel and water tanks, get gasoline in jugs
• Fill propane tanks, pressure-test system, check system for proper seals/vents, check hoses in boat for chafing. Are the tanks new enough so they can be refilled?
• Does reefer / freezer work? Engine and AC?
• Defrost and clean reefer/freezer.
• Pump out holding tank, set Y-valves as required
• Clean dodger windows
• Reset barometer and chronometer
• Tie down all loose gear and big items before leaving, secure other loose items
• Secure dinghy for sea passage
• Rig lee cloths
• Rig jacklines
• Last-minute perishable provisions
• Last-minute mail-call, telephone calls, email (pay online bills), laundry, dump garbage
• Close hatches and ports before leaving
• Begin using power and water conservation measures

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