general check list before a long trip

SrtThis

Member
Feb 20, 2019
74
Maryland
Boat Info
270 SE sundancer
Engines
7.4 MPI w/bravo III
what do you guys check outside the normal stuff like fluid levels before you guys go on a longer trip?

figured the normal stuff
fuel topped off
gear oil topped off
trim tabs
motor oil

empty the bathroom

have a spare bilge pump on the boat and 2 spare float switches.

anything im overlooking?
 
In addition to your list I did the following recently:

Watered all the batteries (replaced two that tested badly)
In checking my batteries I also found my charger was toast...so replaced that too
Added coolant to generator, broke hose, replaced hose and added more coolant :)
Top off your fresh water

As far as spares I am not as comprehensive as many around here but I do carry spare raw water pump impellers, spare belts and a spare fuel filter.

In terms of nav/safety I bring along an iPad with a BT GPS receiver as well as an EPIRB.

Ohh and at the top of my list, just above making sure I have enough fuel, is making sure the cooler is properly stocked. Running out of beer would be a pretty bad deal.
 
the fresh water i was wondering about... thought about dumping it to cut the weight down and just filling up when i get there
 
I don’t know where you are boating but if you are coastal and will be running a decent distance you should have a waterproof floating ditch bag with water, some snacks that won’t go bad( granola bars Etc) PLB, handheld VHF, first aid kit.
 
I don’t know where you are boating but if you are coastal and will be running a decent distance you should have a waterproof floating ditch bag with water, some snacks that won’t go bad( granola bars Etc) PLB, handheld VHF, first aid kit.
going from the north end of the Chesapeake bay to the southern end
 
I've always carried a set of wooden plugs, tool kit and filters.
Also a couple of extra lines and extra fenders and extra shore power cable.
 
I don’t know where you are boating but if you are coastal and will be running a decent distance you should have a waterproof floating ditch bag with water, some snacks that won’t go bad( granola bars Etc) PLB, handheld VHF, first aid kit.
+ 1 on ditch bag!!
 
Does everyone have a ditch bag? I wasn’t aware of such a thing.

A large number of boaters on this forum are hobby boaters that never venture out of sight of land. In that instance, a ditch bag is unnecessary.

Blue water boating, or boating in remote areas, not a bad idea.
 
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Always keep systems maintained by the book so there is no need to top off fluids, etc. Then, about a month prior to the travel date, I use the boat at cruise speed on Lake Michigan and pay very close attention to how everything works and what it sounds like. When sounds change, that is a red flag. Find out why. Next I watch the weather at our home and where I am going. That way, no surprises along the way. Pack the clothes for each day of the journey and stow things in the right place. Fuel up the boat and pump head holding tank. Wash boat and fill fresh water tank. Make fresh load of ice. I program the nav computer a couple of days ahead of time and play with the electronics if this is the first trip of the year. Tunes up my brain when there is no stress, and refreshes memory on subtle features of my electronics. Open paper chart book to the pages I will need if electronics fail. Notebook with pencil at helm with calculator for logging trip and magnetic compass heading and etas in case electronics fail. Night before a final review of weather and waypoints. Make a couple of PB and J sandwiches and stow in fridge with a fresh bottle of water. On departure day, power up electronics and make sure correct waypoints are synced with auto pilot. Put on lifejacket, have travel lines in cockpit ready to deploy at destination, install drop curtain if it is cold or if AC will be needed, make sure cell phone is handy and on, place sandwiches and water at helm, have phone numbers of marinas nearby or in phone's call list, share float plan with spouse, depart dock after placing lines in position to be easily picked up when returning, switch radar to transmit from standby. Sit back and enjoy the journey. Report in at destination so spouse knows trip is over for the day.
 

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