Formal Checklist

[Saluki86]

I recently took a ride with my friend in his twin engine plane.  I noticed that he had a laminated checklist he used before/during/after the flight.  I was thinking that would be a good idea for trailer sailing.  Broken up into sections like:

Pre-departure from home
Pre-launch at ramp
On-water checks
Pre-trailering at ramp
Post trailering
Arrival at home
or into similar sections

I was just gonna put it into Excel and would be happy to share it so each of you could customize it for your own processes but I think some of the 'checks' would be similar.

But before I start, does someone have something like this already?  Why reinvent the wheel, right?  Or am I way off base in thinking that would be a worthwhile exercise?

Since I am developing a bad case of "CRS", I thought it would be helpful, especially to us newbies.

[Billy]

great idea!

[Mokey7]

You could try this http://www.lasr.cs.ucla.edu/geoff/checklists.html
another one, he has an attached txt file with his checklist about the 5th post down http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117348

[capt_nemo]

As a retired military guy, and engineer, I am quite experienced with the use and value of checklists. And, I do find myself making and using more LISTS of things to take, things to buy, and things to do, in all aspects of my life, not just sailing, as I reluctantly grow older.

However, with that said, I have but one general cautionary comment.

DO NOT BECOME SO DEPENDENT OR "HOOKED" ON CHECKLISTS THAT YOU DENY YOURSELF THE JOY OF THE SPONTANEOUS DAYSAIL!

(or worse yet, SO DEPENDENT ON CHECKLISTS THAT YOU FAIL TO LEARN THE SEQUENCES AND TECHNIQUES REQUIRED TO BECOME A SKILLED SAILOR.)

With most of the essentials kept aboard my small trailerable sailboat, when time and weather permit I simply throw a few items into a good sized canvas bag, and I'm off for a great day on the water. The few items include fresh cold drinking water, protective clothing, cell phone, and any special items for working on the boat that day.
If I somehow felt compelled to "follow" several detailed checklists to get through a daysail, I probably wouldn't bother to go. It would not only appear too "tedious" but would also take a lot of the enjoyment out of "thoughtfully working the boat" through the processes of rig, launch, sail, retrieve, and derig.

capt_nemo

[crazycarl]

My wife Joan is very thorough when it comes to packing for trips.   I on the other hand tend to jump in the truck and go.
One such trip was when we drove 4 hours to Devil's Lake Wisconsin for a day sail with some friends.  I had the boat all rigged when I asked for someone to hand me the tiller/rudder. I thought I had placed it in the grass next to the boat, however it was still in our garage 4 hours south.  After that, and many other trips to our home ramp forgetting this or that, our youngest daughter printed out a list of essential equipment and laminated it under a storage lid.

I haven't forgotten anything since.

Carl

[kickingbug1]

 carl, i used to have a bit of a checklist in my boat but over a short period of time i came to ignore it. more than a few times i have forgotten to put the windex on the mast. happily i always seperated the boat from the trailer before sailing. seriously, i think a checklist is a good thing. mine was written on the lid of the plastic box where i keep the windex----go figure

[brackish]

Having made the 34 mile trip up to my marina several times without an essential piece of equipment for sailing, I now take Capt_Nemo's approach.  Everything I need for a trip except perishable items stays on the boat.  If I run out of something I note it for replacement on the next trip.  The entry keys are on the same keyring as the truck that gets me there.

Of course, as I've aged I often forget what is on the boat and where it might be.  However, secure in the knowledge that it is there somewhere, I look until I find it.

Now prepping for a long tow is a different matter.  I think a chronological check list would help me with that.  It is a little hard to pull the boat and get it ready for the road when you have left the bag with the mast raising system hardware in the shed at home.

[Saluki86]

Mokey,

Thanks for the links.  Great starting point!!

[deisher6]

Interesting topic:  We were just visiting my brother to celebrate his 71st birthday.  He and I were standing around waiting for the wives and sisters to finish lists to go to the grocery and liquor store.  It was a complex operation.  He recalled his check list for when he used to go waterskiing... (1) Gas and (2) Beer.  Memories of less complicated times.....

About 25 years ago we sailed a C-27 for 4 years.  I did make up an extensive checklist and put it in a flight crew plastic 3 ring folder.  I thought that it would help sell the boat and cover some modifications that we made.  I also gave copies to the SailBoat Co and ComPac.  I have recently wondered if the old C-27 is still around.

regards charlie

[BruceW]

I use a little part of gmail, called tasks, to create checklists for trips, etc.

You can put this view on your iphone as well, and it's automatically updated all the time.

Multiple lists are okay too, so I also use it for beer recipes (step by step stuff), reading lists, etc.

My default list is just my current what do I need to take down to the boat list. It changes all the time, but I keep the old items if they are recurring, so I just uncheck them after the trip.

I will need to develop a list for the CP 23; I can add as I go.

Bruce