+xDick,
I couldn’t find you list posted on the Forum,
Simon
+x+x+xLovely article Dick and so true. I remember on a double handed passage to the Azores my crew, not Sally, fell asleep on watch. Luckily I discovered this early and let him sleep on in the cockpit until his mobile phone pinged welcoming him to Graciosa. I was the Best Man at his wedding and made sure everyone knew about his unconventional way of monitoring an imminent landfall.
Simon
Hi all,
In the above, I was referring to fatigue that builds up during a passage.
I am reminded, there is another another Dangerous Companion: pre-departure fatigue. This is fatigue which results from the work and anxiety that usually accompanies the preparation for a passage. This is especially a challenge for one’s first passage.
On Alchemy, we try to be prepared a day or two ahead of the weather window we are looking at. When well meaning friends are wanting a piece of you and throwing bon voyage parties, it might be wise to go to a quiet anchorage for a night or so to get sorted and settled after the festivities and before departure.
The beginning of any passage is stressful. Everything is far more difficult at the onset of a passage if fatigued and most are far more likely to get seasick when stressed and tired.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Hi all,
Below is my contribution to this month’s “Thought on Safety at Sea” for the e-Bulletin.
Maintenance
I have written about how preparation for catastrophic events (flooding, for example) benefits those responding: IOW, the essence of effective action is good preparation. Similarly, good boat preparation makes likely far less drama. And drama on the high seas is never to be courted. Roald Amundson put it this way, “Adventure is just bad planning.”
And the essence of boat preparation is good maintenance. Good maintenance is the vaccine for a multitude of boat illnesses and is far from beginning-of-season/end-of-season chores: it benefits from a little attention every day.
On Alchemy we make a seasonal “book” of the maintenance that needs to be done daily (check bilge for example), weekly (raw water strainer), monthly (test EPIRB battery), quarterly (zincs), semi-annually (lube steering), annually (strip, clean and lube winches). There are also lists for bi-annual, every 5 years, winter, haul-out, mast etc.
This “book” is our maintenance bible and chore tickler: the older I get the more I find that if something is not written down, it does not exist. We check off chores as they are done and make notes on conditions, repair/replacement, etc.
I will include my full lists in the Forum. It seems likely that many entries pertain to all sailing vessels, but each boat will want to customize the lists to their boat. I have generated these lists over 2 decades of cruising, but am clear that I add a few items every year, so I would appreciate additions/comments/thoughts/etc. I would also appreciate reports on how others approach this important task.
Hi Simon and all,
Simon, you are quick and I got distracted for a couple of hours.
Below are my Daily, Weekly and Monthly maintenance check lists to give an idea of how this system works. I will add the further lists (Quarterly, Semi-annually etc.) in the future. Clearly some items are specific to my boat for example “Work HT Y valve”. This holding tank Y valve tends to stick if not worked once a week or so and if it gets stuck, generates an un-appealing job.
Please, come back with questions and suggestions of items that I have overlooked.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
w/m = watermaker
HT = holding tank
prn = as needed
Espar = Eberspracher furnace
DAILY
o Check fluids (eng. & genset),& Racor filter bowl_________________________
o Check bilges; ___eng room, ___main ________________________________
WEEKLY date________
o Check: ___raw water strainer, ____w/m strainer prn, ___w/m filters prn______
o Mold patrol________________________________________________________
o Vinegar toilet______________________________________________________
o Computer—back up_________________________________________________
o Watermaker________________________________________________________
o Work HT Y valve___________________________________________________
o Dehumidifier vent, clean & vacuum ___________________________________
o _________________________________________________________________
MONTHLY Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
o Zincs: ______genset, ______Maxprop, ______hull, ____Spurs, _____shaft
o Engine & genset inspection: connections, hoses, clamps, drips, etc.____________
o Propane integrity test (do when putting newly filled tank on)_________________
o Check EPIRB battery & test___________________________________________
o Superlube toilet prn,________________________________________________
o Clean shower strainer prn_____________________________________________
o Run Espar prn or monthly_____________________________________________
o Test CO monitor____________________________________________________
o Charge handheld vhf________________________________________________
o Reefer: ___clean vents and fans, ___defrost/scrape reefer/freezer plates ________
o Check/oil wood trim hatches prn_______________________________________
o Computer (prn): ___A1disk clean-up, ___Microsoft error check (p.185), ___defrag- (p.187), ___system restore (p.198) ____________________________
o Vacuum out vents: ___ battery charger, ___computer, ___reefer,___dehumidifier,___
o Charge battery packs for drills________________________________________
o Check eng cubby for water____________________________________________
o __________________________________________________________________