Pre-trip checklists are a quick way to review and update them before a trip. There are many places to find them including the manufacturer, a website, and in the form of organized information during visit.
Some companies offer their customers free copies of their checklist so you do not need to create one. A good list can cost money though.
This article will discuss why having an organized pre-trip checklist is important and what components should be on it. It will also discuss how to create a checklist for your trip if you need help doing so.
Weekenders may be heading off on a boat trip but there is still some work to do before departure. The Arrival Ship checks, people go early to pick up their belongings, and anyone who needs to make any last-minute accommodations should take care of that early.
Check the tides
While on land, you can use a map and compass to find the location of the ocean or oceanfront property. In the case of a boat rental company, you can check out their dock and see if it is accessible for loading and un-loading.
If the property requires an automobile to get around, make sure it is in good shape. If a boat rentals requires fuel, make sure there is enough supply on board. If a sea kayak or sea kayakReady zodiacalbation is needed, make sure it is safe.
These things all need to be considered when reviewing a pre-trip checklist or pre-dispatching list of supplies and activities.
Check the directions
Before you leave home, make sure you have your directions. There is a lot to camping and boating, and if you do not have these, then you should review the following points.
It is important to have correct directions when going on a camping trip. While it may be possible to find the campground or landing zone in Port Orford, it is much better to be safe and have the correct directions.
There are several ways to get the correct directions. You can go directly to the local government office, visit the national government office, or call the campground or landing zone ahead of time to make sure they have them.
If you need help producing them, let someone else go on your trip with you so you can get out of the house.
Make sure all the lights work
Pre-trip checked lights are a critical part of having a safe trip. While it may seem like an extra step, it makes a huge difference if you come back to the same spot after sunset to check for light conditions.
If you do not check this out, then the boat crew can be forced to start the engines and sail without first checking for light conditions. This could result in heavy seas, which are not desirable when out on the water.
Having checked the lights, started a quick check of your boat and yourself before departure is another responsible way to go.
Make sure there are life vests for everyone
If you are traveling with a child, make sure there are life vests for everyone. It is also important to make sure your families have life vests if you are going snorkeling or underwatering!
To ensure your family is prepared, buy a few extra vests so if one gets lost, it does not matter too much because there is still at least one person in the group who can use it. Make sure to get the correct size for your family as some people may be tall enough to need a longer length of line and safety gear.
Another tip that can help save lives is having two people in case one person gets entangled in the line or safety gear.
Make sure there is a working radio/phone charger
If you are going to be outdoors, you should have a radio/phone charger onboard so that you can stay connected to the world. This is especially true if you are going somewhere tropical or seaworld-like.
It is also important to make sure that your cell phone and/or GPS signal works so that you can find out where your contacts are calling and texting you. Make sure to bring a charging cord as well so that you have some sort of charge left over!
Make sure to bring your trusty pre-departure checklist: load it onto your phone and review it ahead of time to make sure you have everything on board.
Check the gas levels
When you’re on vacation, you want to be able to depend on your boat. You want to be able to tell when it’s needed for fun or business, and who needs to know about it.
It’s the same with your car. You don’t want to be forced to take it into the gas station and store it because you forgot to check the gauge when you filled the tank.
At home clubs have water checks, while at marine centers they usually have a inspection stop. It is always important to go through both of these however before leaving your boat at a club!
Who knows? You might find a problem that requires maintenance or repairs.
Check the oil levels
While on land, check the oil levels before every outing to ensure you have enough lubrication. If you do not have a oil level indicator, then this article’s bullet point provides an alternative!
Even with the Oil Level Indicator, there are still some things to look for. The Manufacturing Company uses names for oil levels such as half full, full, and almost full. Almost full indicates a slightly low level due to a thicker coat of varnish used in manufacturing.
Re-evaluating the level every few weeks is helpful to maintain quality varnish and keeping your boat clean is more maintenance friendly! A quick check every week will not cost much extra money either!
Boat outings are always fun but should be done safely.
Make sure all the props are secure
When traveling by boat, it is important to know how much propulsion power your boat has and how strong the frame is. Props can and will break under heavy use.
Many people don’t take these things into account when planning a trip. You want to make sure the right amount of prop power for the size boat you have is installed on the boat.
Some boats have more than one propeller type, so checking which one is operational is also important. Make sure the person in charge knows which kind!
Checking whether or not all of the fins are operational and whether or not they are balanced is also important.
