So I hear the following question a lot: what's left for you all to do on the boat before you're ready to take off? A sailor’s boat to-do-list… if not ever growing, is at least never ending:
Here is ours as of today:
….and I am forgetting a few...
Here is ours as of today:
- Changing all the 4 heads (a marine word for toilet) plumbing as all the pipes are permeated… I let you guess what that entails smell wise.
- Check the issue with one of the holding tank (a holding tank holds waste from the heads when within 3 miles of the US Coast; offshore, you may dump everything in the sea; different countries have different rules, and enforce them more or less).
- Change the shore power cord set up
- Fix the bilge pump flap in port hull.
- Set a rack on the stern for the life raft
- Have a rain dodger made and installed (see why here)
- Waterproof and treat the canvas bimini (probably with Starbrite 303)
- Fix the range-oven (issue with the thermocouples grounding)
- New anchor : a Rocna 25 (55lbs) or 33 (73lbs)
- New chain – at least 250 ft
- New dinghy (maybe a secondhand one if good deal)
- Repair trampoline (getting unglued in different parts & chaffed lines)
- Sanding/painting/repairing the fiberglass/buffing the hulls
- Bring back all the reefing lines to the helm (so you don’t have to go to the mast to reef in bad weather)
- New VHF radio + handset needed
- Change the insulation on top of the starboard engine (coming to pieces)
- Varnish our beautiful wooden cockpit table and davits
- Caulking the galley sink (it’s leaking)
- Lubrication of the steering tie bar. It seems really stiff.
- Visual check of both fresh water tanks
- Figuring the fuel system return and charge for the generator
- Blinds for hatches
- Calibrate depth sounder
- Calibrate our autopilot
- Remove stanchion net
- Lubricate all winches and blocks
- Service the windlass
- Repairing/changing some ceiling lights in heads
- Foot pump (optional)
….and I am forgetting a few...
