You recently obtained that new trawler or motor yacht and you are eager to get her underway to take her home. You have been running around for what feels like months getting everything ready. Food, drinks, clothing, the list goes on and on. Suppose you forgot something?
To assist you in remembering everything, here is a simple list with almost all you will need to get underway.
Navigation - Make it a point to have paper charts on your boat and that you be acquainted with how to read them; you never know when your chart plotter will choose to give up on you.
Maptech Chart Kit
Dozier's Waterway Guide
Binoculars
Up to date flare kit
First aid kit
Suitable dock lines
Correct fenders
Laptop with air card
Handheld VHF
Flashlight
Mechanical - It is crucial to have spare parts on your vessel. They may be challenging (if not impossible) to locate on your cruise home. You might be anchored out in the middle of nowhere and require a spare part.
Biobore diesel fuel additive
Deck fill key to open fuel/water fill ports
Bridle if chain rode
25 foot dock line
2 stainless steel shackles (1 extra)
2 pair of pliers (1 extra)
Bleach to sanitize water tanks, 1 tsp/10 gallons water
Mask and fins
Fuel filters
Standby impellors for engines
Extra bilge pump
Extra bilge pump float switch
Spare fresh water pump
Extra air conditioning water pump
Oil absorbent pads
Rags
Tools - sockets, wrenches, screw drivers
Lubricants, WD-40, Corrosion Block
Engine oil
Coolant
Propane if boat so equipped
Lighter
Fill fuel tanks
Outboard gasoline
Outboard 2-cycle oil if required
Muriatic acid if toilets use salt water to flush
Provisions - Make sure to get enough to last the total trip home; you don't know if you will have access to a supermarket, especially if you are in the Bahamas.
Food
Beverages
Beer or liquor if so desired
Cups
Glasses
Pots and pans
Utensils
Dish soap
Garbage bags
Galley towels
Napkins/paper towels
Bath towels
Bed linens
Bath soap
Toilet tissue
Fill water tanks
Coffee maker/coffee
Personal Items - Take more clothes than you anticipate needing. You never know if you will get wet because of an unexpected thunderstorm.
Clothes
Boat shoes
Hats
Sun shades
Rain gear
Money for tipping dock hands
Digital camera
You now must find a space to stow everything so it will not mess up your yacht or fall if you happen to be in rough water. You also need to inspect all systems to ensure they are functioning correctly and that all engines have correct fluid amounts. Next you need to map your journey home which means sitting down with charts and computing what distance to travel each day. Dozier's Waterway Guide is a huge help in finding marinas and things to do in the local vicinity. You may also choose to anchor out on the cruise home. Make sure your generator is operating well and that its fluids are full also. It will be time to get a good night's rest in preparation for your first day underway in your new yacht.
The captain will operate the yacht and his first mate will assist with navigation and line handling. The first mate should study the paper charts while the captain focuses on the chart plotter. It is important to have paper charts on your yacht; electronics certainly will fail at some point in time.
When pulling into a marina for the evening, dock hands will assist you with your lines and electrical connections. It is customary to tip a minimum of $5.00 per dock hand for their help.
After a brief period of time, you will become used to the way your boat runs and feels. Docking will also come naturally after some practice. Your trawler or motor yacht will become so familiar to you that the slightest strange noise or smell will alert you to a problem.
To assist you in remembering everything, here is a simple list with almost all you will need to get underway.
Navigation - Make it a point to have paper charts on your boat and that you be acquainted with how to read them; you never know when your chart plotter will choose to give up on you.
Maptech Chart Kit
Dozier's Waterway Guide
Binoculars
Up to date flare kit
First aid kit
Suitable dock lines
Correct fenders
Laptop with air card
Handheld VHF
Flashlight
Mechanical - It is crucial to have spare parts on your vessel. They may be challenging (if not impossible) to locate on your cruise home. You might be anchored out in the middle of nowhere and require a spare part.
Biobore diesel fuel additive
Deck fill key to open fuel/water fill ports
Bridle if chain rode
25 foot dock line
2 stainless steel shackles (1 extra)
2 pair of pliers (1 extra)
Bleach to sanitize water tanks, 1 tsp/10 gallons water
Mask and fins
Fuel filters
Standby impellors for engines
Extra bilge pump
Extra bilge pump float switch
Spare fresh water pump
Extra air conditioning water pump
Oil absorbent pads
Rags
Tools - sockets, wrenches, screw drivers
Lubricants, WD-40, Corrosion Block
Engine oil
Coolant
Propane if boat so equipped
Lighter
Fill fuel tanks
Outboard gasoline
Outboard 2-cycle oil if required
Muriatic acid if toilets use salt water to flush
Provisions - Make sure to get enough to last the total trip home; you don't know if you will have access to a supermarket, especially if you are in the Bahamas.
Food
Beverages
Beer or liquor if so desired
Cups
Glasses
Pots and pans
Utensils
Dish soap
Garbage bags
Galley towels
Napkins/paper towels
Bath towels
Bed linens
Bath soap
Toilet tissue
Fill water tanks
Coffee maker/coffee
Personal Items - Take more clothes than you anticipate needing. You never know if you will get wet because of an unexpected thunderstorm.
Clothes
Boat shoes
Hats
Sun shades
Rain gear
Money for tipping dock hands
Digital camera
You now must find a space to stow everything so it will not mess up your yacht or fall if you happen to be in rough water. You also need to inspect all systems to ensure they are functioning correctly and that all engines have correct fluid amounts. Next you need to map your journey home which means sitting down with charts and computing what distance to travel each day. Dozier's Waterway Guide is a huge help in finding marinas and things to do in the local vicinity. You may also choose to anchor out on the cruise home. Make sure your generator is operating well and that its fluids are full also. It will be time to get a good night's rest in preparation for your first day underway in your new yacht.
The captain will operate the yacht and his first mate will assist with navigation and line handling. The first mate should study the paper charts while the captain focuses on the chart plotter. It is important to have paper charts on your yacht; electronics certainly will fail at some point in time.
When pulling into a marina for the evening, dock hands will assist you with your lines and electrical connections. It is customary to tip a minimum of $5.00 per dock hand for their help.
After a brief period of time, you will become used to the way your boat runs and feels. Docking will also come naturally after some practice. Your trawler or motor yacht will become so familiar to you that the slightest strange noise or smell will alert you to a problem.
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