What's your pre take off routine?

Bk124tt

Bk124tt

Member
Apr 23, 2017
57
Long Island NY
Boat Info
2005 320
Engines
Twin 350 MPI Horizons
I am new to my 260 Sundancer (from a Grady Tournament 192).
I'd like to hear a few different routines of what your checking and how often prior to push off.
Thanks!
 
Every start:
  1. Blower on for 5-10 minutes (I always leave it on while running).
  2. If I'm heading out to anchor somewhere, or if I am travelling alone on the boat, I remove the anchor safety chain because I might need to deploy it quickly if the engine dies.
  3. Verify mast light is not folded down.
  4. I check to make sure VHF antenna is in the up position.
  5. If trip involves evening or night travel, I activate the running lights and make sure all bulbs are lit and unobstructed.
  6. I remove and stow fenders.
  7. Remove and stow all but 2 dock lines.
  8. Start engine.
  9. Turn on and verify VHF and GPS are working.
  10. Make sure trim tabs are up, and drive is all the way down.
  11. Remove and stow either bow or stern line as dictated by any wind or current.
  12. Verify engine is still running
  13. Remove remaining line from dock and shove off while stepping on the boat. (This way, I am still holding one line that is attached to the boat. If I fall in, or the boat blows off the dock, I still have a way to stay connected to it).
Every 2nd or 3rd outing, I check oil, drive lube, and coolant levels, and visually inspect everything else before doing the above.

Post shove off - Manage the batteries. I have two. If one is low, I'll set the battery switch to that battery. If both are low, I set it to both. Unlike the on board AC battery charger, the alternator only charges the selected battery. Just remember that if the engine is running, do NOT turn the switch to the OFF position. It is bad for the ECU, I think. You can switch between 1, 2, and BOTH all you want, just don't pass through OFF while you are doing it.
 
Wow, excellent and informative list. I really appreciate it!!!



skibum said:
Every start:
  1. Blower on for 5-10 minutes (I always leave it on while running).
  2. If I'm heading out to anchor somewhere, or if I am travelling alone on the boat, I remove the anchor safety chain because I might need to deploy it quickly if the engine dies.
  3. Verify mast light is not folded down.
  4. I check to make sure VHF antenna is in the up position.
  5. If trip involves evening or night travel, I activate the running lights and make sure all bulbs are lit and unobstructed.
  6. I remove and stow fenders.
  7. Remove and stow all but 2 dock lines.
  8. Start engine.
  9. Turn on and verify VHF and GPS are working.
  10. Make sure trim tabs are up, and drive is all the way down.
  11. Remove and stow either bow or stern line as dictated by any wind or current.
  12. Verify engine is still running
  13. Remove remaining line from dock and shove off while stepping on the boat. (This way, I am still holding one line that is attached to the boat. If I fall in, or the boat blows off the dock, I still have a way to stay connected to it).
Every 2nd or 3rd outing, I check oil, drive lube, and coolant levels, and visually inspect everything else before doing the above.

Post shove off - Manage the batteries. I have two. If one is low, I'll set the battery switch to that battery. If both are low, I set it to both. Unlike the on board AC battery charger, the alternator only charges the selected battery. Just remember that if the engine is running, do NOT turn the switch to the OFF position. It is bad for the ECU, I think. You can switch between 1, 2, and BOTH all you want, just don't pass through OFF while you are doing it.
Click to expand...
 
1. Secure carryon bags & cooler
2. Open engine hatch
3. Sniff check for fuel or any other noxious fumes whilst reaching down into bilge to turn on fuel cock.
4. Energize electrical system by cutting on battery switch
5. Cut on bilge blower
6. Start engine
7. Fasten rear clips for cockpit top
8. Signal boat dock crew I'm ready to depart and they release dock lines and shove me off.
9. Whilst motoring out of marina area I secure lines and visually inspect engine bilge area. If everything looks kosher in bilge I close the engine hatch.
 
1) remove covers and put up bimini. Fold and store cover and boots
2) Load up anything I am bringing onto the boat
3) Turn battery on and turn bilge blower on
4) Turn fridge off
5) Make sure everything is stowed away in cabin
6) After 5 minutes start engine and let warm to ~140*
7) Disconnect shore power and roll up cord
8) Remove and store fenders unless rafting then I tie them higher and tie dock lines to each side in preparation for tying to other boats
9) Untie lines. Wife pushes boat forward and rotates by hand then boards the swim platform but boat does not go into gear until she is completely in the boat
 
I go in the engine room to inspect every time the boat has been used, to make sure it's ready for the next time. I get enough skinned up shins and scratches when it's tied to the dock, I don't want to be working on it while bouncing around in the middle of the lake.
 
I've seen what a casual bump against a running belt can do. Ouch!

One of my steadfast routines is to start the engines after disconnecting the shore power. I learned the hard way that the charger can mask battery issues. If you have battery issues, it's best to know about them before you leave the dock.
 
I like the "remove the anchor safety chain because I might need to deploy it quickly if the engine dies "
 
I can't do that. In big waves, I've had the windlass lose grip on the chain. If the capstan isn't tightened down and I had the safety disconnected, my anchor could drop while cruising. That wouldn't be fun.
 
Just one thing I would add if you have a generator.

I would start it, check water output, allow to warm up, and then switch the load to the generator to make sure it's working properly.

I don't use my generator often so once every few weeks I'll fire it up and let it run while I take a cruse just to make sure it runs and does not over heat.
 
We have a Pelican case about the size of a brief case with hand held VHF, flash light, batteries, flairs, space blanket (they are about the size of a pack of cigarettes), candles (the small ones you put under serving tray), matches, fish line, a few lures, and sea anchor (figure it might help stabilize the dinghy). Never had to use it but is near the helm.
After seeing all the ideas think I will make a check list and post it at the helm.
 
Woody said:
I go in the engine room to inspect every time the boat has been used, to make sure it's ready for the next time. I get enough skinned up shins and scratches when it's tied to the dock, I don't want to be working on it while bouncing around in the middle of the lake.
Click to expand...

Looks like @Woody and I are the only ones who include checking the engines every time we go out.

At the beginning of every day I'm going to start the engines I make sure to go into the engine room/compartment and look for any leaks, check all my fluids (oil, powersteering, coolant, gear lube, trim tabs, etc.), and do a sniff test.

It only takes a couple of minutes and checking all your fluids can save you from serious mechanical damage.
 
Slide under cover, and unlock cabin and change into swim suit.
Remove Cockpit cover
Load boat with crap I carried down to dock.
Turn on stereo, check fresh water level
Wash outside of boat, and wipe inside seats and arch down.
Have a beer and bull shit with dock mates
Hit blower
Kill shore power inside cabin
Kill shore power breakers on dock
Unplug boat and remove stern hooks
Unhook bow lines
Fire up both engines
Unhook mid lines
Ease out of the slip

Check fluids on off days while waiting on people.
 
Batteries on both.
Check oil and out drive gear oil.
Blowers.
Canvas.
Start up engine.
Secure beer and stuff.
Flags and windsock.
Stow or place lines.
Music.
Water check.
Maybe turn on reefer.
Crack a beer.
Take off.
 
"What's your pre take off routine?"
Take off the "Remove Before Flight" streamers
Clear the launch pad
Load fuel tanks (Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen)
Double check that all of the low bidders really did things right
Say a quiet prayer
Press the big red button...
 
ttmott said:
"What's your pre take off routine?"
Take off the "Remove Before Flight" streamers
Clear the launch pad
Load fuel tanks (Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen)
Double check that all of the low bidders really did things right
Say a quiet prayer
Press the big red button...
Click to expand...


Lol
 
I notice a lot of people do this routine on nice days - even sloppy days.

1. Take off cover or unzip canvas or canvas door.
2. Remove some canvas, open canvas windows, or windows for proper airflow.
3. Turn the battery switch on / or shore power
4. Turn on your favorite tunes
5. Put out your favorite burgee
6. Mix a cocktail or pull out a beer from the fridge or cooler
7. Sit & look at the neighbors boats all day & maybe chat with a few
 
There's 92 pre-takeoff checks and tests, but before I actually push the thrust levers forward we'll confirm correct runway, TO clearance, and TO Config Ok...:)
 
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