Skipper's checklistVoyage preparations

Prep to Sail.

What you do at the dock decides what happens at sea. Run the list. Tick each box. Cast off when nothing is left undone.

Seven sections, every passage. Some sections are bigger than others. None are optional. The order is the order the boat needs them — navigation before weather, weather before crew, crew before engine, engine before food, food before the safety brief.

The book carries this list waterproof and within arm's reach of the helm. Check it on screen here while you're still tied to the dock.

Section · weather

Read the forecast. Then read the season.

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Follow weather patterns for days before departure, not just the day-of.
Pull the pilot chart statistics for the time of year you're sailing.
Identify your internet weather sources — GRIB, Coast Guard, regional services.
Identify SSB weather broadcasts relevant to your passage area.
Have a weather update plan: when you'll check, on what channel, every day under way.

NoteWeather older than 24 hours is unreliable. After that, watch the barometer and the sky — trust your own eyes more than the latest GRIB.

Section · communications

Set up the lines home before you leave.

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Program SAR and medical assistance telephone numbers into mobile and satellite phones.
File a float plan with the harbormaster, marina, or designated authority.
Secure an on-shore advocate — friend who knows your plan and can represent you to authorities if needed.
Confirm VHF, SSB, satellite, EPIRB are tested and registered.

Section · crew

The right people, briefed and ready.

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Crew matched to sea conditions, weather, and passage length. Favor specific skills — medical, first aid, mechanical.
Crew prone to seasickness: no alcohol 24 hours before departure; start anti-seasickness medication 24 hours ahead.
No alcohol or drugs aboard during the passage. Confirm with each crew member.
Discreetly obtain medical conditions, medications, and allergies from each crew member. Store securely.
Conduct a safety briefing — see Section 07 below for the full sequence.
Confirm crew accessibility to CRIMMAC (Critical Immediate-Access Equipment).

Section · engine & rig

Inspect what carries you. Twice.

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Check engine oil, gear oil, coolant. Top off if low.
Confirm the alternator is charging the batteries at running RPM.
Verify instruments and navigation electronics are working.
Inspect the rig — chainplates, shrouds, stays, spreaders, halyards. Up close, twice.
Review and stock the onboard kits:
- Engine maintenance kit
- Damage control kit (soft-wood plugs, epoxy, wedges, plywood, sealant)
- Sail repair kit
- Medical kit (per the medical procedure list)
Locate CRIMMAC with the crew — every person knows where each piece is stowed.

Section · provisioning

Water, fuel, food — for the passage and a buffer.

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Top off water and diesel. Plan for a buffer of 50% over the expected passage consumption.
Ample food for length of passage and size of crew, with a 25% margin.
Fully prepare meals for the first 24 hours. (Your cook may get seasick.)
Stock several days of one-pot meals ready to reheat.
Fill thermoses with hot water for soups, drinks, and night-watch warmth.
Empty the holding tanks. Pump-out done.

Section · safety briefing

Brief the crew. The boat is your second crew.

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Governance. One captain. Identify mates, watch leaders, who takes over if the captain is unavailable.
Crew abilities and limitations. Open conversation about:
- Relevant experience
- Swimming ability
- Children on board
- Medical conditions, medications
- Seasickness susceptibility
Brief the crew on safety in cockpit and on deck:
- Life-vest and harness policy — day, night, weather
- Safe operation of winches, autopilot, wheel
- Lines and fender handling
- Stove, lights, BBQ, smoking policy
Demonstrate reefing procedure with the actual sails and crew.
Brief on radio procedures when skipper is unavailable:
- Radio location and basic operation
- Continuous transmitting regardless of response
- Message format and content (see Emergency Communications)
Brief on MOB initial action:
- Maintain constant eye contact
- Throw flotation aid, dan buoy, cushion, line
- Alert crew, press MOB button on GPS
- Review the full Man Overboard procedure
Brief on Skipper unavailable protocol. Review the Skipper Incapacitated procedure with all crew.
Final reminder: "When in doubt — ask."

NoteThe briefing is also the moment to assess the crew honestly. If something feels off — a missing skill, an alcohol smell, a medical condition you didn't know about — the dock is the place to deal with it. Not the sea.

From the fleet

Prep to Sail.

Flip it over for the checklists.

Skipper notes.