Checklist for Noobs

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

I'm not sure if this post is better for the Horizon forum or the Boat Banter one since it isn't really specific.

My background is in aviation where written checklists save the day for pilots on a regular basis. Since there are a lot of ways for a minor forgotten item to ruin a great day on the water, and I likely won't get to boat frequently enough to memorize everything, I decided to make a checklist for myself. I spent a lot of time going over old posts here and talking to experienced boaters to draft it. Since I haven't seen anything quite like is on the board (doesn't mean it isn't there, just that my searching skills didn't find it), I'm sharing it for comment and in case it may help others.

Keep in mind that the purpose is not to be a "how to" guide, but rather to remind about important items that could be forgotten. It's always possible to expand a checklist to include more and more situations, but doing so makes it less likely to be used, so I'm trying to keep it pretty tight to our situation (towing to fresh water lakes and rivers for mostly day trips with friends).

Of course, some items are specific to my situation, but much of this is probably generally applicable.

I'd appreciate feedback from other boaters.

Hopefully this will help make our trips fun, and our time blocking the ramp minimal.

Here's the first draft: http://dr-amy.com/rich/BoatChecklists.pdf

BTW, I print it, fold in half, and laminate.

Thanks!
Rich

rpengr · **Posted:** Sat Jun 28, 2014 9:07 pm

I like it. No need to call it checklist for Noobs, because it works for anybody. I like that you have many items taken care of the day before.

Here are a few suggestions:
I put in plug at time of hookup, then confirm plug at Staging.

You could add a "Pre-dock" checklist. I do a lot of cleanup, stowage, prep for docking and unloading during the last 5 minutes of the trip.

If you have a battery switch, add items for battery switch ON/OFF

Before Engine start, add "check engine compartment for fumes"

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

rpengr wrote:

I like it. No need to call it checklist for Noobs, because it works for anybody. I like that you have many items taken care of the day before.

Thanks!

Quote:

Here are a few suggestions:
I put in plug at time of hookup, then confirm plug at Staging.

I hope to go to lakes that require a hardcore mussel inspection, including looking into all the compartments, pulling all the drain plugs, and even tilting the drive. If a drop of water comes out, you don't get to go boating. So I figured driving with the plug out would help my chances. But I like your thinking; the more you do in the comfort of home, the less there is to go wrong in the hubub of the ramp area. I'll think about doing that when I won't be facing inspection. Of course, always check in staging.

Quote:

You could add a "Pre-dock" checklist. I do a lot of cleanup, stowage, prep for docking and unloading during the last 5 minutes of the trip.

Good idea. At least it'll include fenders, painters, and hooks.

Quote:

If you have a battery switch, add items for battery switch ON/OFF

Agreed, but I have one battery and elected to back it up with the portable jump start battery/light/usb charger/compressor thing.

Quote:

Before Engine start, add "check engine compartment for fumes"

I put turning on the blower as the first thing the boat driver does (checklist is set up for 2-person launch). I figured if he turns it on at staging then by the time the boat is backed into the water the bilge should be clear. If I'm solo launching, I'd want to turn it on when ready to back in. Raising the cover to check after that seemed like it wouldn't really add anything and would delay others waiting for the ramp. I suppose I could back the boat in with the engine cover open, but then why have a blower?

Thanks much for the feedback and suggestions.

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

Revision 1 is up at http://dr-amy.com/rich/BoatChecklists2.pdf

Added charts, leaving and approaching docs, fire ext., and formatting.

Rich

rpengr · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:52 am

Do you care to post your original document (MS Word?) so that people can modify and make their own?

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

rpengr wrote:

Do you care to post your original document (MS Word?) so that people can modify and make their own?

Sure. http://dr-amy.com/rich/BoatChecklists.docx

rpengr · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:55 pm

Great, thanks.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:04 pm

i approve your check list that is basically what i have been doing for 23 years.. give or take a few model specific items.. blower not applicable on OB.

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

Jdpber wrote:

i approve your check list that is basically what i have been doing for 23 years.. give or take a few model specific items.. blower not applicable on OB.

Thanks, Jdpber. I've been reading your build thread and it's clear you pay attention to detail.

Rich

schoolsOut · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:12 pm

Rich,
Love the "driveway boating" pic in your signature. A favorite evening activity of mine if I can't be on the water...grab a beer and do some driveway boating.

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

schoolsOut wrote:

Rich,
Love the "driveway boating" pic in your signature. A favorite evening activity of mine if I can't be on the water...grab a beer and do some driveway boating.

I thought I was the only one who did this! :lol:

Great checklist I would've saved lots of money on my boat starter if I had this when I forgot to install the darn drain plug. :twisted:

luckily I noticed before I left the dock. BTW what do you fly I felt I was doing a preflight on my friends PA-28.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:12 am

Jafo4U wrote:

schoolsOut wrote:

Rich,
Love the "driveway boating" pic in your signature. A favorite evening activity of mine if I can't be on the water...grab a beer and do some driveway boating.

I thought I was the only one who did this! :lol:

Great checklist I would've saved lots of money on my boat starter if I had this when I forgot to install the darn drain plug. :twisted:

luckily I noticed before I left the dock. BTW what do you fly I felt I was doing a preflight on my friends PA-28.

Ha Ha
Had "driveway boating sex" one time in the previous cuddy cabin.

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

Jafo4U wrote:

... BTW what do you fly I felt I was doing a preflight on my friends PA-28.

I'm grounded right now because the FAA is stupid about CPAP but I flew anything that someone was willing to give me the keys to for years, including teaching full time. Citabrias are my favorite for knocking around and training new pilots, Cirrus makes a nice traveling machine if the pockets are deep, Mooneys are efficient and fast, and I've spent many hours in PA28s and C172s, of course. Helicopters are super expensive but there's nothing like an hour working on hovering as a personal reward. The single most fun thing I've flown, though, is the Zeppelin NT. That is an amazing ship. Must feel similar piloting a high-tech super yacht, but in 3 dimensions.

http://acuff.smugmug.com/Flying/Zeppelin/i-gLKbLtn/0/S/NM2J0361-S.jpg

Taxus812 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:34 pm **Posts:** 46

Cool list. (I will be hacking out an abbreviated version for my use (I don't have a water tank or a blower (OB) etc)

What is a swimmer in water flag? I have never seen one here nor can I find one on iboats or other sites. It is a good thought since we often anchor and jump in the lake.

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

Taxus812 wrote:

Cool list. (I will be hacking out an abbreviated version for my use (I don't have a water tank or a blower (OB) etc)

What is a swimmer in water flag? I have never seen one here nor can I find one on iboats or other sites. It is a good thought since we often anchor and jump in the lake.

Great! I hope it's a good starting point for you.

The "swimmer in water" flag is a small bright orange flag we hold up when someone is in the water and hard to see. It is a warning to other boaters to use extra caution near us. Usually the "spotter" holds it up when the person being towed falls off, or we wedge it in the boat when anchored and having a slipway.

www.iFourWinns.com

Checklist for Noobs

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