The often asked: 'What makes you so busy before you leave on a passage?'
27 June 2012 | Baie Orphelinat, New Caledonia
Michael and I have both been asked many times what we do aboard Gromit that makes us so busy before a passage. The following is a list of pretty well all the things we did in the weeks prior to leaving New Zealand.
We are both great list makers and without lists, I'd hate to think what things we might forget and leave undone. Michael and I sit down and brain storm all that we can think of that needs to be done. We leave the list easily accessible, so that when any other things come to mind, we can quickly jot them down. We then prioritize them into categories 1, 2 and 3 - 1 being the most critical.
Michael works from the master list, whereas, I copy and reorganize 'my' jobs onto a separate list. Then, in the last critical weeks before departure, I post pieces of paper around the walls with the days of the week written on them. I then look at all the major jobs and divide them out among the days. I do this so that we don't end up with too many jobs for us to manage all bunched up at the end when we want to leave. After that, I list as many other jobs as I think can be accomplished on that day. I include the simpler jobs that I think I'll have time for after the major one is done and a number of jobs that the kids can do. This avoids this inevitable conversation: KIDS: "Mom, can we watch a movie/episode tonight?" ME: "Did you complete your school work and do some jobs?" Everyone knows what's expected and I don't have to listen to "nobody told me....." and "I didn't know....." With the posted lists, they know what is expected and very little reminding is required.
So, here they are:
Pre-passage Prep List
Major 'show-stopper' jobs:
• have life raft re-certified
• make bike bags
• repair sail
• change batteries on wind indicator (required two trips up mast)
• Single Side Band radio repair (our only means of communication on the ocean)
• trouble shoot AIS system
• replace hull port Plexiglas
• arrange for Zoe's grade 9 course material
• post items to sell on 'Trade Me' (NZ version of eBay)
• passports
• redo 'ditch bags'
• clean hull
• check strobe lights on life jackets
Other jobs:
• navigation pod wiring
• make bike bags X3
• change oil in engine
• improve drain on single cabin hatch
• check zincs on engine
• buy air cylinders for self-inflating life jackets
• fix leak on starboard cabin top
• stow medications
• sort canning lids
• fill white pails
• rear and head window plastic flap
• tape single cabin hatch
• scrub dingy and stow on fore-deck
• pad eyes in aft cabin for holding stuff off shore
• remove rust and paint emergency tiller
• boat insurance
• go to customs to get 'check out' paperwork
• backing snapits
• install winch spacer
• organize hard drives
• anti-foul windvane
• re-install windvane
• check smoke and CO2 detectors
• engine check
• check diesel fuel level
• tie on gas cans
• tie off items on cabin top
• stow plexiglass
• lube bikes
• stow helmets
• install fire port in engine room door
• run generator and fill with gas
• get parachute anchor line from lazarette storage area
• pack away bikes
• tie kayak to life lines
• remove, re-bed, reinstall hand rails on cabin tops
• lubricate steering chain
• bleach water bottles
• defrost freezer (a most odious job!)
• empty, clean and reorganize fridge (another odious job)
• clean and buff van for selling
• clean scuppers: side decks and cockpit
• get new prescriptions
• waterproof dodger fabric
• test furler
• sew new cockpit jacklines
• send kindle back to US
• package and send all items sold on 'Trade Me'
• sew new staysail bag
• set out paper charts for easy access
• provision and stow all provisions
• top up diesel fuel with jerry cans
• check main mast boot for position - no leak
• caps on sail track
• hair cuts
• clean stove top
• check impeller on engine
• check strainers
• remove and wash all bedding
• remove all mattresses and air out
• clean with bleach under mattresses
• remove and wash all couch covers
• hose toilet
• replace tattered flag
• sew and install new lee-cloths
• clean and reorganize first-aid drawer
• wash solar panels
• tape dingy holes
• remove paint from boom crutch
• repair Velcro -aft cabin
• rinse backpacks and lube zippers
• clean bikes
• shackle pull cords
Email and Stuff
• application re Indonesia Rally
• scan passports
• photo of Gromit
• email Don re boat registration papers
• transfer $ for rally - bank
• scan boat registration papers
• add Sail Indonesia to white list on winlink email
• crew list with new passport #s
• renew New Zealand visitors visa (2 trips to downtown Auckland)
• order dingy engine part
• copy all passports and put in ditch bag
• post on blog: NZ camping trip
• deal with house insurance
• incomes taxes
• email re Zoe's grade 9 courses
• call school board regarding 'home schooling' letter
• email property manager
• renew van registration
• check furler extrusion for loose set screws
'Last Minute Things'
• gather all new Zealand cash on board
• main boom preventer
• fill propane tanks
• jacklines on deck
• level everything in boat
• complete, scan and send departure papers to Customs
• print all items and stow printer
• return marina key cards
• pay marina
• fill water tanks
• take out all garbage
• return library books
• return DVDs
So, these are things that keep us hopping before we go off shore. By the time we leave, we are pretty exhausted and even though the first days on passage can be stressful and exhausting too, once we are in a routine, we can finally sit and look out at the ocean and not worry about the lists!