Boat Checklists - Got my boat yesterday

[crouffer]

Hi Folks,

I got my first boat yesterday - 14' Springbok Aluminum with a 15 HP Evinrude 2 stroke. I took it for a spin and realized that there is a lot to be remembered when it comes to gearing up, putting it in the water, running it, taking it out of the water, and derigging it. I've done some pilot training, and know that they have checklists for everything, so I came up with a few lists. If you can think of anything I've missed, I'd love to hear it. I plan on printing and laminating these, so that I can have a quick reference for those 4:30 am departures...

<b><u>Boat Checklist – Pre-Trip</b></u>
<ul>
<li>Check weather
<li>Trailer Hooked Up and Locked
<li>Motor Attached, Elevated and Locked
<li>Fuel Line Installed
<li>Fuel Tank Installed and Filled
<li>Extra Gas Can Filled and Installed
<li>Trolling Motor Installed
<li>Battery Charged and Installed
<li>Fish Finder and Trolling Motor Electrical Hooked Up
<li>Fire Extinguisher
<li>Boating Safety Kit
<li>First Aid Kit
<li>Oars
<li>Anchor
<li>Drinking Water Bottle
<li>Fishing Gear
<li>Fish Finder and GPS
<li>Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses, Windbreaker, Footwear
<li>PFDs
</ul>

<b><u>Boat Checklist – At Boat Launch</b></u>
<ul>
<li>Drinking Water Bottle in boat
<li>Fishing Gear in boat
<li>Fish Finder Installed
<li>GPS – Turned on and secured to self or boat
<li>Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses, Windbreaker, Footwear in boat
<li>PFDs in boat
<li>Drain Plug Installed
<li>Trailer Straps and Ropes Removed and Stowed
<li>Keys, Wallet, and Cell phone in drybag, and secured to boat
</ul>

<b><u>Boat Checklist – Startup</b></u>
<ul>
<li>PFD On
<li>Use trolling motor to clear launch area
<li>Engine – Full Choke
<li>Engine – Squeeze primer bulb until pressure is felt
<li>Engine – Shift to ‘Neutral’
<li>Engine – Throttle in ‘Start’ Position
<li>Engine – Pull Starter to start
<li>Engine – Push in choke
<li>Engine – Throttle in ‘Shift’ Position
<li>Engine – Shift to ‘Forward’
</ul>

<b><u>Boat Checklist – After Loading on Trailer</b></u>
<ul>
<li>Motor Elevated and Locked
<li>Trolling Motor Down
<li>All lose gear put in car
<li>Oars Secured
<li>Anchor and Rope attached and stowed
<li>GPS and Fish Finder in car
<li>Trailer bow strap and bow painter rope secured
<li>Trailer stern strap secured
</ul>

<b><u>Boat Checklist – Post-Trip Derigging</b></u>
<ul>
<li>Motor Elevated and Locked
<li>Fuel Line and Tank Removed
<li>Extra Gas Can Removed
<li>Fuel Tank Refilled
<li>Trolling Motor Removed
<li>Battery Removed and hooked to charger
<li>Fire Extinguisher Removed
<li>Boating Safety Kit Removed
<li>First Aid Kit Removed
<li>Oars Removed
<li>Anchor Removed
<li>Car Unloaded
<li>Trailer locked
<li>PFDs hung to dry
</ul>

Cheers,

Chris

[beachburger]

Congrats on the new boat. You'll wonder how you ever lived so long without one.....

A few things for your list(s)

Pre-Trip - Kill switch on motor
Startup - Kill switch cord attached to motor and body.
De-rigging - Remove kill switch.

[crouffer]

After one short trip yesterday evening I was already wondering how I lived this long without one...

The kill switch on my motor is a stretchy thing attached to the choke. When I hooked it up to my pfd yesterday it seemed to pull the choke really easily, thus killing the engine. I'll have to see if there is some way to adjust it.

Chris

[beachburger]

I have the same problem on my tiller motor. I took a few feet of a sturdy cord, tied a loop in both ends, attached the kill switch to one of the loops and attached the other loop to a clasp on my PFD. Works well enough.

[Terry_F]

Congrats on the new boat.

Trailer light check was missing from your list.
(Have you ever driven behind a trailer with no brake lights?)

It's also a good idea to unhook the lights before putting the trailer in the water.

Have a great summer with the new fishing machine.

[OTRA]

For the pre-trip list.
Is Anchor rope attached to boat?

[SkeeterJohn]

The most important part...

Do all the crap you need to away from the launch itself

[crouffer]

For the pre-trip list.
Is Anchor rope attached to boat?

You're supposed to attach it???? To be explicit, I changed that on my list. That way if I ever forget, I can thank OTRA for the reminder

[crouffer]

Trailer light check was missing from your list.

It's also a good idea to unhook the lights before putting the trailer in the water.

Both good tips. Thanks

[crouffer]

Do all the crap you need to away from the launch itself

Ahhh.... They can all wait for me! Just kidding. That is a good tip too. I've seen far too many people take 15 minutes to launch their boat, because they forgot to do this, that and the other thing ("Oops, I better go to the bathroom before moving my vehicle out of the launch area...").

Chris

[Terry_F]

Don't forget to carry a copy of your boat ownership with you (my dealer laminated mine for me) and after 2009 you'll need your operators license with you.
And of course your fishing license.

[Bass Addict]

The most important part...

Do all the crap you need to away from the launch itself

Yeah ,,, launch your boat and get $%&*@ out of the way

[TrollingThunder]

[quote="Bass Addict"][quote="John"]The most important part...

Do all the crap you need to away from the launch itself [/quote]

Yeah ,,, launch your boat and get $%&*@ out of the way [/quote]

Haha yea I'd agree there, nothing more fustrating than waiting for someone to pack their boat/untie everything while in the middle of the launch...best to get er' all done on the side/parking lot. I've got some big heavy lures I might be tempted to cast your way for warm-up if you take too long, maybe an anchor too haha. I'm kidding obviously, but don't tempt me.

[Awol]

You forgot one!
-4 x 5-6 ounces (150-180 g) rib steaks 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick
Butter and Tarragon Sauce
-1/3 cup (80 mL) melted butter *
-1 clove garlic, chopped
-1 Tbsp. (15 mL) lemon juice
-1 tsp. (5 mL) dried tarragon
-To taste salt and pepper
Or 2 all beef bologna sandwiches

[DropShotr]

Congrats on the new boat.
I have 50ft boat rope. This is attached to the front cleat in the spring and is removed when I winterize. The sole purpose of this rope is to allow me launch the boat by myself.

Do all the crap you need to away from the launch itself

John makes a great point here. Prep your boat while you are waiting in line to launch.....not while your boat is on the launch ramp, this can really peve people off at a busy ramp.

Good luck this year,
DropShot'r