Final Fall project: Reminders

[Gin]

For those of you reading through my modification projects, you may be relieved that I am now on my last one. It is not really a modification or customization. Just a little system of reminders for start up.

I have a nice list I can use. But it is so familiar to me now, I find myself going though my key start up steps without checking it line by line. So I came up with this (I saw something similar in a friend's RV). I haven't settled on which reminders I want, but I'm trying these for starters. What I like about it is that I can't easily overlook any of the reminders . . .

I used colored velcro ties (the kind you can buy at big box stores like Home Depot) that I put around the steering wheel. Because they are so visible, and semi-in the way while there, it is hard to ignore or overlook them. I took a label-making machine and made small labels for each. The most important one has the biggest print on it: "SEACOCK". (I close mine whenever I leave the boat at the dock for more than a day).

I also have, in no particular order, "Shorepower" "VHF" "PDFs" "Oil" and "Helm centered." I haven't entirely settled on what I want. But yes, I have once headed off with the shorepower still connected, because this skipper had gotten used to her first mate always knowing to disconnect it, and the first mate wasn't part of the crew one night for Christmas Ships. Caught it almost instantly as we cast off, before we damaged the cord. But I want to make sure that never happens again! And for some reason, with normal daytime boating, I do sometimes forget to turn on my VHF. Hence, the VHF label. PDFs is a reminder for the Christmas Ships season, when I have rotating guests aboard, some of whom wear their own PDFs and some not; this way I will make sure everyone has one on. And the Helm center is more for returning than leaving. It is habit to center it when I dock, and I tend to assume it is centered when leaving. But sometimes I move the wheel when working on the boat. That one is a way to make sure I haven't changed it since last docking.

I remove each one as that task is done and attach it to another piece of velcro that holds them all in place until we return to the dock. And then, as I reverse things, I put them back on the wheel.

It's still a system in progress, but here is a photo of the velcro reminders I have in place right now (click to enlarge):


Gini

 

[WA6BTK]

Very cool idea, Gin. I like the system, especially the seacock reminder as I close mine, too. Consider your idea stolen. 😀

Stu

 

[Gin]

Hey Stu! Glad I could pass on something of use. Hope you and Sue are well!!

Gini

 

[rpmerrill]

I know some of you TugNuts out there are airplane pilots. I have long thought about a little device I saw in use in a small airplane cockpit used for takeoff and landing checklists. I found this on the internet but it is only about 50 years out of date.
Are they still in use? Does anyone have a source.

https://books.google.com/books?id=9JI7w ... rd&f=false

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Great reminder idea Gini, thanks for sharing. It's suggestions like these, when implemented, that can help save unnecessary mechanical troubles.

Jim F

 

[Gin]

That aviation device look ideal. If it doesn't exist any more, someone should reinvent it!

GIni

 

[stwendl]

Never thought I would suggest this, but guess what. The here is an app for that too. Look in the Apple Store for boat checklist or just checklist. I am sure there is a similar thing for androids. Why make I simple when there is some complication available 🙂

 

[Gin]

I found, and have tried, an app called "Boat Check." It is for iPhones only. There is an RV version, and a generic travel version too. Each are 99 cents, if memory serves. They are clean apps done by a solo retired guy. No advertisements or other annoying or intrusive things that are so common with the "free" apps.

There are things I like about it, especially for maintenance lists. But in the end, I may be finding it more complicated than helpful. For me, a physical system like the velcro tabs is more useful for the key "must do" steps of casting off. For some reason, looking at my iPhone or iPad, or even a written task list, is a distraction. But peeling off the velcro reminders -- maybe because it is physical and right there at the helm -- works well for me. So far, at least.

Gini

 

[baz]

Gini: Came across this today.... great idea/tip. Thanks.