Return checklist

Before leaving the boat

• On Deck
  • As needed, rinse the deck, brightwork, and metal with fresh water
  • Ensure that headsail is furled and secured, cover is hoisted, and jib sheets are tight
  • Replace cowl vents
  • Confirm the mooring line is on and tied off
  • Ensure the main halyard is attached to the deck fitting, not the head of the sail
  • Stow winch handles in little deck boxes
  • Ensure the engine key is off and removed
  • Lash the rudder
  • Tie a lateral line to the aft end of the boom to prevent it from swinging
  • Remove tension from the hydraulic backstay
  • Ensure all flags are stowed
  • Place and secure canvas covers on forward hatch, jib furling line hole, mainsail, cabin (including cushion), aft hatch, and backstay

• Below Deck
  • Check that the head is clean and empty
  • Confirm all hatches (3) and port lights (2) are closed and secured (at least with bungees)
  • Ensure the sink seacock is closed
  • Remove all trash from the boat
  • Sweep/wipe all cabin, kitchen, and cockpit surfaces as needed
  • Ensure all circuit breakers are off

• Complete log entry, including:
  • Date and time
  • Fuel level (push the black button on the engine panel)
  • Engine hours (digital display in the tachometer)
  • Name of person making the entry
  • Description of trip, including destination, route, weather
  • Anything else the next skipper should know (repairs needed, issues, etc.)

For the dinghy before leaving the marina

• scrub floor
• freshwater rinse
• wipe salt residue from motor surfaces
• Stow motorboat key in lockbox on dock

After every few trips

• deck
  • scrub the decks
  • remove scuff marks from transom and aft hull
  • freshwater rinse exterior above the waterline
  • flush soot and dirt from toe rails
• head
  • drain holding tank then flush it a few times
  • scrub/wipe all surfaces
  • clean drain pan and grid
• bilge
  • scrub with brushes and rinse
  • clean bilge well of any particles
  • remove all slime and debris from pump strainers
• kitchen
  • clean stove and oven
  • clean sinks
  • clean countertops
• main cabin
  • wipe/scrub all wood surfaces with murphy's wood soap (diluted)
  • wipe/scrub ceiling with simple green (diluted)
  • wipe/scrub hatches and mast with simple green (diluted) to remove salt residue
• dinghy
  • scrub bottom of dinghy