Prepare Your Boat for Offshore Sailing

Preparing Your Boat for Offshore Voyaging

Preparations for a successful offshore journey must begin several weeks before you leave the dock. Begin with the items that you'll depend on other people or companies to accomplish. For example, don't wait until the last minute to hire a diver to clean the bottom. Also prioritize the tasks that involve safety of the boat and crew.

This topic has detailed checklists and advice on how to set priorities and manage your time. The process of preparing for an offshore voyage is split into three phases:

Two to three weeks before departure
- Equip the boat
- Perform offshore maintenance
- Take the boat out for sea trials
One week before departure
Departure day.

The Four Priorities

It is easy to get overwhelmed with the hundreds of details that must be attended to as you get ready for an offshore voyage. In addition to some detailed checklists, you'll need a framework to help stay focused. The following priorities will help you to allocate the limited time and resources you have before your departure:

   1. Make the boat safe - top priority
   2. Make the boat go - sailing performance so you can get where you're going
   3. Make the boat comfortable - a comfortable crew is a happy and alert crew
   4. Make the boat pretty - varnish comes last

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Offshore Preparation - Two to Three Weeks Before Departure

	Item	Link to Detail
Prepare Yourself
	Update shots and immunizations if traveling outside of the US
	Get prescriptions filled in advance - sufficient for the duration of the trip and an extra set.
	If traveling to a foreign country, make sure your passport is up to date
	Get medical and dental checkups if you're going to be away from for more than a few weeks
	Prepay bills and take care of financial matters
Prepare The Boat
	If this is your first time offshore, review the list of offshore equipment to see if you're equipped properly.	Offshore equipment list
	Maintenance - Inspect all boat equipment and perform routine maintenance while at the dock.	Offshore maintenance checklist
	Fix all important items on your To-do list
	Sea Trial - Take the boat out for sea trials and/or a shakedown cruise. Operate all critical equipment under load .	Offshore seatrial checklist
	Fix any items that were discovered during the sea trials.
Prepare The Crew
	Interview and select crew members.	Crew selection checklist
	Crew members fill out and return personal information form, and sign and return the liability release form.	Sample info form Sample release form
	Discuss gear that each crew member brings	Personal gear list
	Discuss meals with the crew - find out what they like to eat
First Round of Provisioning
	Purchase and stow dry goods / nonperishable provisioning	Provisioning List
	Purchase and stow consumables such as engine oil, filters and spare parts that were used on the last trip	List of spares and supplies
Weather
	Weather - begin tracking weather patterns for your sailing areas	NOAA web site link
	Sign up for any weather routing service(s) you're going to use such as Chris Parker for Bahamas/Caribbean routing or Jennifer Clarke for Gulf Stream analysis.	Chris Parker link Jennifer Clarke link
Misc.
	Make reservations at marina(s) at your intended destination
	If traveling with pets, get a checkup from your vetenarian and obtain a health status form and copies of immunization records (e.g. rabies) .

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Offshore Preparation - One Week Before Departure

	Item	Link to Detail
Prepare the Boat
	Clear out a locker or bin for each crew member. Make a place for them to put a duffel bag and to hand their foul-weather gear.
	Begin stowing gear that you won't use offshore; get out gear that you will use offshore
	If you're leaving from an anchorage, and have been on the hook for more than a week or two, clean your chain before the day of departure. On a calm day, shorten up chain and scrub as you go.
	Check stowage of gear in aft lockers; make sure nothing will shift and foul the steering gear in any way.
Prepare the Crew
	Call or email each crew member and confirm how/when they will arrive at the dock. Get flight numbers and arrival times if they're flying.
	Have crew members try out any personal medications they plan on using for sea sickness. It's important to know of any personal side-effects before using them offshore.
	File a float plan	Float plan form
Second Round of Provisioning - Perishable Items (1-2 days before departure)
	Fill propane tank(s)
	Provisions - Purchase and stow perishable items. If available, have someone with a deep freezer freeze perishable items for you.	Provisioning list
	Pre-cook and freeze meals such as stews, lasagna, etc. A vacuum seal machine and boil-in bags are useful for creating tasty meals that are easy to prepare and easy to clean up afterwards.
Weather
	Continue to track weather patterns, both locally and for areas along your route.	NOAA web site link
	Practice listening to weather reports on SSB cruiser nets in the morning. Preset frequencies on your SSB for convenience.	List of frequencies
	Sign in with Herb Hilgenberg on 12.359 Mhz two days before earliest departure to check for a weather window.	Web site link

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Offshore Preparation - Day of Departure

	Item	Link to Detail
Prepare Yourself
	Get a good night's sleep the night before; avoid alcohol.
	Eat regular meals and get some mild exercise (esp. walking) the day before departure
Prepare The Boat
	Final preparations / Secure for sea	Secure for sea checklist
	Top off water tanks
	Top off diesel fuel tanks
	Revise the float plan (if necessary)	Float plan form
	Stow dinghy and dinghy motor securely
Prepare The Crew
	Safety briefing for offshore crew	Safety briefing checklist
	Discuss the intended route
	Set the watch schedule and post in the galley	Sample watch schedules
	Set the standing orders	Standing orders checklist
Provisioning
	Replenish ice in the icebox
	Last-minute provisioning of perishable items
Weather
	Get final weather broadcasts from shore side resources (TV, NOAA web site, etc.)	NOAA web site link
Misc.
	Make the initial log entry and get underway.

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