Before sailing

Preparation

• Check weather forecast
• Plan route and set up in plotter
• Charge battery to 100% if needed
• Do offshore preparations as needed
• Decide sail plan
• Update sail plan and crew list in logbook
• Check freshwater tank level
• Check diesel tank level
• Check engine oil level
• Check engine coolant level
• Check that all keys are in their place

Additional preparations when going offshore

• Download GRIB files and calculate latest weather route
• Download charts for the area in Orca
• Download any media planned to be consumed while offshore
• Charge all battery packs and flashlights
• Charge handheld VHF
• Charge InReach
• Set up sea bunk(s) with lee cloth
• Fill alcohol stove with fuel
• Stow bow anchor in anchor locker
• Install bowsprit
• Put cork on heater exhaust and turn off heater circuit
• Hank on and secure staysail
• Install jacklines
• Ensure emergency contacts know the plan
• Enable Priority Data for Starlink
• Enable tracking on InReach
• Turn logbook printer on
• Get pizza for the first watches if available
• Make a thermos of decaf tea in cold weather

Inside the vessel

• Close and lock front hatch
• Close heads seacock
• Ensure all cabinets are closed
• Ensure no debris on cabin surfaces
• Stow saloon table
• Stow dinghy oars and parts
• Prepare lifevests
• Fill water bottles and place them in cockpit holder
• Turn off heater
• Turn chartplotter tablet charging on
• Install chartplotter tablet
• Install VHF Commandmic
• Remove engine frost guard (if using)
• Stow dehumidifier (if using)
• Ensure engine seacock is open
• Close seawater tap

On deck

• Change all shore lines to slip
• Remove unnecessary spring lines
• Stow cockpit enclosure
• Stow bathing ladder
• Stow and tie down dinghy
• Stow and tie down dinghy mast and boom
• Stow FLINsail
• Stow anchor daymark
• Stow "silencer fender" from mast
• Stow inner forestay if necessary (adjust to 6 if using)
• Set up Parasailor if planned to be used
• Remove headsail furler safety line
• Install headsail sheets
• Remove mainsail sun cover
• Attach mainsail halyard to the sail head
• Hoist flag
• Move main sheets to pad eyes
• Remove winch covers
• Remove instrument covers
• Check whether instruments are responsive. If not, reboot NMEA2000
• Turn on VHF
• Stow shore power cable
• Install safety knives
• Check that inside team is ready
• Check that there are no lines that could foul the propeller
• Start engine
• Check that water is coming out of exhaust
• Ensure all of the crew is on board
• Life vests on
• Apply sunscreen
• Harbour departure briefing
• Set or deflate and stow fenders as appropriate for the departure plan
• Place short boathook into cockpit
• Free tiller