Checklists and tips

A

Aurora_WA

Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2013
Messages
23
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Cutwater 26
Vessel Name
Aurora
Hi all,

I recently purchased a Cutwater 26 after a lot of research, and I'm loving it so far. However, I'm new to boating, and this is my first boat, so I am sometimes left wondering if what I'm doing is the best way to do things. Do any of you have pre-departure checklists you'd be will to share? Also, do you have any general tips/tricks that you might be willing to share? (i.e. Don't use the water heater when you aren't plugged into shore power.)

Thanks!
Nick
 
The water heater will heat water from engine heat while the engine is running.
 
Congratulations! This thread will give you a good start. See you on the water.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
Yes, don't use the water heater when not on shore power, especially if you are using an inverter without the engine running. You will discharge the batteries in a very short time if you do.
 
Bruce, thank you for the link. I will definitely use this as the base for my pre-cruise checklist.

Any other pointers?

Thank you,
Nick
 
Here's the "start up" list we came up with after our factory orientation and our own first few outings. The order could vary on several of the items, but this is in the order that we tend to follow.

Start Up Check List
  • PFDs on
  • Seacock CLOSED to inspect/clean strainer
  • OPEN SEACOCK
  • Check engine fluids: coolant, oil, transmission
  • Check engine oil dipstick is clipped in tight (Volvo specific procedure)
  • Visually check bilge area and hoses
  • Battery switches ON (banks 1, 2, and 3) (if not already on)
  • Check again: SEACOCK OPEN
  • AC breakers off, AC main off, shore power rotary switch off (in that order)
  • DC breakers on (1st four: refrig, trim tabs, GPS, NMEA)
  • Electronics on (chartplotter, autopilot, VHF)
  • Ignition on (engine gauges on)
  • Start engine
  • Check for water flow (thru strainer and out muffler)
  • Warm up engine (5 - 10 mins) (check engine gauges and record stats while warming)
  • Disconnect shore power
  • Attach burgees
  • Set up lines for departure
  • Helm amidships
  • Thrusters on
  • Cast off
  • Sound horn (if backing out of slip)
  • Get underway

Actually, the next to the last item (sound horn) is new to the list. We haven't been doing this, but our marina has sent out a reminder for all skippers to sound one long blast before backing out of their slips.

And because Colleen and I use the Eartec simutalk radios most of the time when docking and departing, somewhere along the way, we do a sound check on those to make sure that they are communicating. That's usually about the time we are setting up the lines for departure. (We leave our dock lines in place, so we detach them and use two other lines to secure the boat until we are ready to cast off. Those lines then go with us.)

I hope someday to compile a small notebook of checklists -- such as Start Up, Shut Down (when leaving the boat at a moorage), Anchoring/Hanging on the Hook, Winterizing, De-winterizing, and a series of maintenance check lists. If I just had more time . . . :roll:

Gini
 
Great, thank you! I really appreciate it. I will incorporate everything here in my current checklist.

Thank you,
Nick
 
Another Aurora! Is that your user name or your boat name? OK I guess it will work out since we're a Ranger and you are a Cutwater. Also, eventually, we will be a Califronia Aurora but right now we are also in Washington.

Welcome to the group. My experience has only been positive with Tugnuts. The C-Brats are pretty darn helpful too.

A list - what are you some kind of airplane pilot? If I had used a list I would have missed those interesting experiences like using more and more throttle trying to back out when my bow line was attached. Or that through hull valve for the cooling system - honey how come there isn't any water coming out? Next thing you know you'll be out practicing docking skills in the empty section of a marina or even man-overboard maneuvers. What is this world coming to.

Jeff
 
Hi Jeff,

Yes, our Cutwater 26 is also named Aurora. It's funny that you mentioned being a pilot. I actually was working on my pilot's license, and I've spent a lot of time around civil aviation, so that is kind of the way I approached it. (Laminated sheet, grease pen, and all)

Thanks for reaching out,
Nick
 
The only thing I disagree with is the horn blast while backing out. You have bow & stern thrusters, why aren't you stern in?
 
pugtug613":1nommhbu said:
The only thing I disagree with is the horn blast while backing out. You have bow & stern thrusters, why aren't you stern in?
Click to expand...

Depending on the situation (I drive commercial boats, too), I use sound signals when leaving the dock... especially with other traffic in close proximity. One one horn blast means: we are leaving the dock. Three blasts means: we are moving in reverse propulsion. Just mentioning that because a horn signal can certainly be appropriate, even when pulling forward out of a slip.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
The sound blast is required at our marina. Perhaps honored more in the breech than in the observance. But there's been an effort of late to have all boats comply when leaving their slip (whether backing out, as just about all do, or leaving bow first).

And we dock bow in because we are in the Columbia River with a sometimes stiff current running under us. The walkways in our marina are all one-sided so that all boats can dock bow in to the current.

Gini
 
Regarding " check lists ", I use the addition following items.
Emergency equipment..locate, check, verify in date
extra PFDs
large very sharp knife..readily available [ to cut lines, anchor line, etc. in emergency]
fire extinguishers..in green
first aid kit
spare blanket
dewatering device , [ bucket]
pperb/spare hand held VHF
spare flashlight and battaries
spare prop
drain plug installed
check bilges and pumps
Boat
tow line, incl. a bridle
heaving line
spare dock, lock lines
check anchor and rode
paper charts of area to be traveling
navigational tools
watch/clock
hand bearing compass
check all navigational light for function [ spare bulbs]
check instrument lights
check search light, public safety lights
engine oil, antifreeze, spare parts
tools

Crew briefing
weather report
radio watch/ lookout
where all emergency equipment located and use
how to use radio
man overboard procedures
make sure each person on board has a properly fitting PFD
instruct line handlers, procedures for departing and docking, fender placement and retrieval

Navigational and radio
VHF, how to use, especially emergency procedures [ I use a placard ]
check working of VHF [on and receiving 16 ]
check sonar, gps, radar

Departure
check engine temperature
check engine for any leaks

Docking
instruct crew as to plans, place, which side of boat, etc
how you wish lines deployed at that place

Then there is the shut down list
all electronic, unless you want to monitor weather channel
may use GPS to have "anchor watch "
battery switches, shore power switches
 
Any folks have additional thoughts for start up and powering down given the changes to the boats over the past few years?
 
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