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Before sailing

Preparation

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
  • 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