POST LAUNCH CHECKS
■ Check all through-hull fittings for leaks
before you are released from the slings.
■ Fire up your engine, heating and generator if you have one and give them all a good service.
■ If you have a battery tester, check each battery individually. If not, companies such as Barden UK will often test your batteries for free.
■ Get your gas system tested and signed off
(this is not something to skimp on).
■ Check your fire extinguishers are in date,
have pressure and are in good condition.
■ Make sure your life raft and lifejackets have been serviced and your hydrostatic release units (if you use them) are in date, along with your flares.
■ Check your lee cloths are in good
condition and well attached
■ Make sure hatches and other slippery surfaces on deck have anti-slip tape on them in good condition.
■ Make sure jackstays are in good condition and tight.
■ Guard wires should be tight and the lashings in good condition.
■ Leak test your hatches and portlights. If they do leak, it’s not often that big a job to re-bed them or replace seals, but a damp boat is miserable.
■ Fire up the electronics. You should see a GPS position within 10-20 seconds and if you have an AIS transponder, you should see yourself on a website such as Marinetraffic.com in less than 10 minutes.
■ Make sure the charts are reasonably up to date – and do carry paper ones, even if they are of a fairly small scale. You’ll also want this year’s almanac for tidal and marina information.
■ Make sure the VHF is working.
■ You’ll also want to check your tools (which can all too easily get rusty and inoperable) and your emergency spares like spare impeller, oil, coolant and wooden bungs.
■ Carry a small first aid kit, and check it’s in
date and complete.
■ Now the yacht is in the water, you can also get a rigger to give your rig the once over and ask them to check your furling system is working nicely and been serviced if required.