Boat Check list

[wshekar]

As boating season kicks into high gear, I though I would share the boat check list I created. I have been updating each year to make things more efficient during chaotic situations.

Hoping this helps or inspires others.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

Trim up is not on your predeparture list. I swear I check that at least 3 or 4 times.

 

[tpenfield]

My check list is pretty straight forward . . .

Beer (check)
Boat (check)

go boating

 

[wshekar]

Trim up is not on your predeparture list. I swear I check that at least 3 or 4 times.

Raise drive unit is definitely on there. Put that one after I drove up with ramp with the leg down. Luckily my trailer is high enough that I have about an inch clearance even fully down.

 

[wshekar]

My check list is pretty straight forward . . .

Beer (check)
Boat (check)

go boating

hahaha without a list I'd probably sink the boat forgetting to put the drain plug in.

Years of pilot training have me relying on check lists.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

Raise drive unit is definitely on there. Put that one after I drove up with ramp with the leg down. Luckily my trailer is high enough that I have about an inch clearance even fully down.

Just read it 3 times and it isn't there, but I will agree to disagree.

 

[wshekar]

Just read it 3 times and it isn't there, but I will agree to disagree.

Unless we are talking about different things....

 

[Mcfltfyter]

Yes, we are talking about different things. Pre-departure is before you even leave the house. No sense in waiting until you drag a skeg down the driveway to add it to the list.

 

[wshekar]

Yes, we are talking about different things. Pre-departure is before you even leave the house. No sense in waiting until you drag a skeg down the driveway to add it to the list.

Yes, that is true.

For better or worse, I keep the drive up during the season. In the offseason, I have a note to raise the drive taped to the jacks.

 

[PITBoat]

I kinda got a kick out of secure wench to boat. She might prefer riding home in the truck. Lol.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

Ah, must be an outboard, as it is terrible to run an I/O on muffs while trailer trimmed, and hard on the bellows to store in that position also.

 

[wshekar]

I kinda got a kick out of secure wench to boat. She might prefer riding home in the truck. Lol.

... she might

correct word if needed LOL

 

[wshekar]

Ah, must be an outboard, as it is terrible to run an I/O on muffs while trailer trimmed, and hard on the bellows to store in that position also.

It is an I/O.

I only put on muffs during winterization & start of the season.

May be hard on bellows but trimmed up is the only way the boat fits in the garage..... barely. They are also inspected regularly.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the wife is ok with me attaching a winch. however when I suggest a wench, I get slugged.....

 

[JimS123]

It is an I/O.

I only put on muffs during winterization & start of the season.

May be hard on bellows but trimmed up is the only way the boat fits in the garage..... barely. They are also inspected regularly.

Trimmed up and it sticks out further. Trimmed down is the only way mine will fit in the garage.

We inspect periodically anyway, regardless of how its trimmed. O/Ds should ONLY be trimmed up on the highway, or at anchor on the sandbar. That's a best practice kinda thing.

In case you missed it, wench is mis-spelled, unless you are truly talking about an old lady.

 

[wshekar]

Trimmed up and it sticks out further. Trimmed down is the only way mine will fit in the garage.

We inspect periodically anyway, regardless of how its trimmed. O/Ds should ONLY be trimmed up on the highway, or at anchor on the sandbar. That's a best practice kinda thing.

In case you missed it, wench is mis-spelled, unless you are truly talking about an old lady.

Just figured that out. Thanks.

I have steps to my house that I need to clear. I have a couple inches between O/D and concrete full up. Other side of the garage is limited by the water heater closet. Best practice when able.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

The "check engine on muffs" lead me to believe you might trim down to start the engine on muffs. My mistake

 

[JimS123]

Just figured that out. Thanks.

I have steps to my house that I need to clear. I have a couple inches between O/D and concrete full up. Other side of the garage is limited by the water heater closet. Best practice when able.

One house I had was drywalled, so I cut out a small piece so the O/D would slide in between 2 studs. As long as the boat was very slightly angled the door would close because the door handle would not hit the tongue. The garage door opening was also 4" wider than the boat. That's where I learned how to back a trailer.

Another house had wall mounted shelving units on the back of the garage that would hit the boat itself. Just turned her in the driveway and went in tongue first.

Another garage of mine had a slit in the garage door where the tongue stuck out.

Where there's a will there is a way. 20 years on a set of bellows without a failure was well worth it.

 

[Mcfltfyter]

The garage door opening was also 4" wider than the boat. That's where I learned how to back a trailer.

Ha, I have 6" clear, but I have to park the tandem trailer at an angle in the garage. Took less than a minute to back her in, but took 15 minutes to get the dang thing out. If I ever park it in the garage again I'm going to take a pic of the angle of the truck before I unhook. That was a nightmare

 

[wshekar]

Ha, I have 6" clear, but I have to park the tandem trailer at an angle in the garage. Took less than a minute to back her in, but took 15 minutes to get the dang thing out. If I ever park it in the garage again I'm going to take a pic of the angle of the truck before I unhook. That was a nightmare

Definitely a nightmare but worth the savings. My garage is wide enough but not long enough. Got the boat in there sideways. I do as much as I can with the truck then push the rest by hand. Putting the boat up is the hardest part of my day after being tired from sending the day in the sun.