Getting ready for the season

[flyingwelshman]

This will be first time that I prepare my boat for sailing.

I bought my boat last year. It was the first boat that I have owned. I had no sailing experience whatsoever.

I was very lucky in that the PO of my boat helped me to get it ready for the season, but, because it was all new to me, I didn't know what to do or what to look for.

After a season of sailing I have a much better idea of what should be done. I also feel like the boat is really mine and want to personalize it a bit.

So this weekend I sat down to prepare a 'to do' list for both the house and the boat.

My house list was half the size of the boat list!

I just hope it stops snowing soon so that I can be on the water by July!

Here's the list of the things I thought of - it doesn't include the 'regular' things like scrubbing, re-rigging etc. etc. etc.:

hull sand
hull anti-fouling
hull patch cracks
hull check through-hulls
hull fix hole from exhaust pipe
deck seal chain plates
deck repair toe rails
deck replace and seal hatch tracks
cockpit grating
cockpit install auto-helm and remote
cockpit install depth sounder
cockpit sand and refinish companionway step
rudder sand - re-paint
tiller sand - re-varnish
mast replace main halyard
mast replace wiring / fix lights
mast install wind vane
rigging replace spreader boots
rigging replace turnbuckle boots
rigging replace cotter pins with rings
salon decking
salon sand and refinish companionway ladder
salon replace bulckhead under companionway
salon re-cover cushions and pads
salon fix settee back (port-side)
salon fix slot for hatch covers
salon fix fibreglass port side near bulckhead
salon fix edge of table
v-berth pouches
v-berth fix fibreglass near hatch

[teshannon]

That doesn't include the things you'll find when you start working off the list. I don't think any of us are ever without a list that long, all year long.

[poltergeist]

Man, that is some "to do" list!

Now, coming from a guy who bought a boat looking for less rather than more complexity, this may seem flippant. But I'm concerned that a list that long will take ALL the joy out of your first sailing season.

I'd opt for doing only what you need to do for safe, seaworthy sailing. Get out there and sail the hell out of it this summer, and save the sanding of the companionway ladder and much of the rest of the list for next year.

Whichever way you go, I hope you have a great time.

Regards,

Kurt

[petegingras]

welshman,

do the below waterline items, and thru-hulls. then drop her in the water and do everything else. The fall from the ladder doesn't kill many sailors, but the battery, tool box, or other heavy thing you're gonna carry up there will leave a nasty mark.

don't forget to take time to go sailing, some of it can wait.

cheers

[sailingdog]

Flyingwelshman-

Just remember, the order in which you do things makes a huge difference. For instance, on your list... I would:

hull patch cracks
hull check through-hulls
hull fix hole from exhaust pipe
hull sand
hull anti-fouling

Since that will minimize any repeated work.

[flyingwelshman]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Flyingwelshman-

Just remember, the order in which you do things makes a huge difference. For instance, on your list... I would:

hull patch cracks
hull check through-hulls
hull fix hole from exhaust pipe
hull sand
hull anti-fouling

Since that will minimize any repeated work.

I guess that's the sailing equivalent of "Green-side-up!" (I'm sorry - I can't bring myself to use a 'smiley' but pretend one is here anyway.)

The list was in no particular order, it's just the way that the things came to mind.

[sailingdog]

Just checking to make sure that was the case...... Can't hurt...