Pre-Launch Checklist

H

handmeawrench

New member
While sitting in a USCG class last weekend it struck me that it would be really useful to have a pre-launch checklist of some sort. You know, rather than try to remember that the drain plug is inserted wouldn't it be easier to check it off a list prior to launch?

I'm a complete novice, but it seems like it shouldn't be too tough. Here's a sample short list of things that came to me while sitting here:
- Drain plug inserted
- Safety equipment inventoried and secured (PFDs, rings, etc)
- Fuel tank(s) full
- Electronics operational (chartplotter, radio, bilge pump, trim tabs, etc)
- Signalling devices (horn, flares, flags, etc) operational
- Float plan filed
- Trailer lights unplugged
- Bumpers in place
- Key on hand
- Beverages chilled

If anyone already has such a list and is willing to share it, I'd love to take a look.

Airplane pilots have a pre-flight checklist...why shouldn't boaters?
 
'handmeawrench',

Just read your note-agreed-I personally need a checklist, since it is easy to overlook things. I recently read a book on "Boat Docking-close quarters maneuvering for small craft" by Charles T Low that I would personally recommend for us novices. One of the things he advocates is a checklist as you describe. One addition off the top of my head is 'Wheel chocks in place"-don't ask why I thought of it!!

By the way_I have already stolen your BOAT=Bust out another thousand! How true it is.
Regards,
Jack Howell
 
handmeawrench":4dt5860m said:
rogerbum":4dt5860m said:
Like most good ideas - there's a previous thread on the C-Brats for this one. :lol:
See - http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=15775
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Oh, boy. Sorry about that. An admin is certainly welcome to remove this topic.
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No need to be sorry or to have it removed. We get repeat ideas here all the time and sometimes knowing about an old thread and adding it's contents to a new one builds a better overall idea. I haven't cross checked, but there may be something on your list missing in the previous thread and vice versa.

That said, the search engine is our friend and I'm always amazed at what has been discussed before (and I've been "here" for awhile).
 
Either in addition to, or (sometimes) instead of a checklist, I try to develop a routine for doing things - such as getting underway - so that I get used to doing something and then it just naturally segueing into the next thing. Kind of like listening to an album enough times that your mind just "knows" what song is coming next and it's not really even a matter of remembering.

Sometimes I continue to use a checklist; other times I use the checklist until I develop the motor memory (just depends on the task).
 
handmeawrench":3iu8wj25 said:
While sitting in a USCG class last weekend it struck me that it would be really useful to have a pre-launch checklist of some sort. You know, rather than try to remember that the drain plug is inserted wouldn't it be easier to check it off a list prior to launch?

I'm a complete novice, but it seems like it shouldn't be too tough. Here's a sample short list of things that came to me while sitting here:
- Beverages chilled
- Drain plug inserted
- Safety equipment inventoried and secured (PFDs, rings, etc)
- Fuel tank(s) full
- Electronics operational (chartplotter, radio, bilge pump, trim tabs, etc)
- Signalling devices (horn, flares, flags, etc) operational
- Float plan filed
- Trailer lights unplugged
- Bumpers in place
- Key on hand


If anyone already has such a list and is willing to share it, I'd love to take a look.

Airplane pilots have a pre-flight checklist...why shouldn't boaters?
Click to expand...

I reorganized your list by priority.

food for though, when my dad first started salmon fishing years ago he kept a laminated sheet in the boat with different types of salmon and info about them on hand to help learn and recognize them all. this short list could be laminated (read: weatherproofed) and kept on the boat almost at credit card size.

one thing not on your list that I have forgotten a couple times is the rear tie down, boat-to-trailer. explains why its not launching...
 
DuckDogTitus":117s9gys said:
I reorganized your list by priority.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I like that a lot better. Add in Grumpy's "Admirable" in slot #2 and this list is a keeper. :mrgreen:

DuckDogTitus":117s9gys said:
One thing not on your list that I have forgotten a couple times is the rear tie down, boat-to-trailer. explains why its not launching...
Click to expand...

Great observation. Believe it or not, the 1987 22' Angler in question doesn't have any sort of u-bolt or attachment point in the transom for a pair of tie-downs. Something I've been thinking about adding...
 
handmeawrench":2q5wlr7g said:
Great observation. Believe it or not, the 1987 22' Angler in question doesn't have any sort of u-bolt or attachment point in the transom for a pair of tie-downs. Something I've been thinking about adding...
Click to expand...

I can try to get you a picture of ours later, its an 88 and the previous owner had a strap that crosses it port to starboard that we use. a very simple tie down system that works great.


in addition to a pre-launch, I find its important to take your time coming OUT of the water too. If I dont take my time and completely organize my boat while its in the water, I find that guests aboard to not see certain things as important as I do, such as putting bumpers out and raising my props before pulling out.
 
handmeawrench":svcy5fzr said:
Believe it or not, the 1987 22' Angler in question doesn't have any sort of u-bolt or attachment point in the transom for a pair of tie-downs.
Click to expand...

My boat doesn't have U-bolts or anything meant for tie downs on the transom either. That said, they wouldn't do much on my particular trailer set up, because the trailer ends forward of the transom, so any tie downs originating on the transom would be leading forward on something like a 45º angle. I guess they would keep the boat from flying off the back of the trailer, but with my 5.4 liter engine that's not a huge problem :D Doesn't seem like running on an angle like that would hold it down or back. If lines could lead aft from there it would be nice, but of course they can't.

For now I use a heavy-duty strap that runs from the trailer frame, up over the gunwales/cockpit, and back down to the trailer frame, but I still don't consider it ideal. It does mostly hold the boat to the trailer (or vice-versa). I saw that Two Bears (in his album) runs lines aft from the 'midships cleats and then other lines forward from the aft cleats.

Really, for a trailerable boat, they should mold in some tie downs that would take oppositely angled lines, plus not allow said lines to contact the topsides 8)
 
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