My Checklist

1. Preparing the boat for launch

-- Remove and store canvas

-- Remove short power or secure solar panel

2. Rigging the boat to sail (goose neck at mark, boom vang always cleated even if slightly slack, backing stay positions, topping lift)

3. Docking and undocking

-- Leaving/Entering Dock: skipper duties, crew duties, proper commands.

-- Avoid stalling in confined areas e.g., tacking out of a finger, (if wind is blocking directly up the finger from the basin channel, consider paddling to the channel rather than tacking to it and risking a dangerous stall).

-- Demonstrate the use of a dock line and “slip line” to leave the slip single-handed.

-- Demonstrate how to reduce speed returning to slip from basin. Note: when boom is fully extended to luff main, do not let main sheet drape below boom where it could snag on an outboard motor.

-- Demonstrate speed reducing techniques, sailing into downwind slips (jib only), and use of a brake line.

4. Outboard Motor Use and Procedures

-- Gas tank location, vents; gas explosion dangers

-- Engine Positions: How to raise and lower engine bracket, tilt angle of engine, proper engine depth

-- Engine parts: Engine movement tension screw, fuel lines, gear shift, choke, and kill switch

-- Starting engine, choke, cooling water

-- Steering with the engine (Make sure tension screw is loose!)

-- Motoring in and out of dock area (With engine in fixed position and by using engine steering)

-- Raising engine for sailing (Put engine back in neutral after pivoting engine in upright position)

-- Engine trouble shooting: emergency starting cord, checking engine oil.

-- Refueling procedures, removing gas tank from boat for fueling, fuel purchase.

5. Ground Tackle and Anchoring

-- When to use ground tackle

-- Setting the anchor

6. Towing and being towed; Grounding

7. Electrical System

-- Battery charging

-- Running lights

8. Porta-Potty

-- How to use the porta-potty

-- How to clean (Clean after each use!)