Boat back in slip, but took too long!

[Stickinthemud57]

I started yesterday afternoon to get my boat back in the water and take a quick sail - great weather - but managed only to get Excitable Boy back in its slip and the sails re-installed. Pretty much ready-to-go, but the sun was setting and I was not in the mood for a night sail.

I think a reasonable amount of time to get the mast up and the boat in the water is about an hour, and 30 to 45 minutes to get the boom on and the sails in place, but yesterday it took me much longer than that. I am focussed first on safety, so I do take my time. I realize though that safety can be compromised when you are frustrated by delays.

It would have helped if I did not have to double back to the house to get the gin pole and baby stays. I should have assembled my new Windex ahead of time. Also, I was careless with the rigging and wasted time getting the topping lift properly untangled from everything.

This experience underscores the need for me to generate an actual checklist since apparently I don't do this often enough. Any hints from those who put in and take out frequently would also be helpful. Thanks in advance!

[Tsunami]

I'm envious
The wind is blowing nicely here. It has broken the ice and driven it on shore but it will be a while before we'll be sailing!

[kurz]

Yes, made a checklist. But it is useless... Und guess why?




Becouse I read it when all is done... and not in advance...

[NiceAft]

Yes, made a checklist. But it is useless... Und guess why?




Becouse I read it when all is done... and not in advance...

[kingtoros]

I found a few lists on this forum that are tremendously helpful. I managed to modify some and it will depend on your equipment. I am able to get the boat rigged in sail ready state in 75 minutes with a hustle. Faste with a solid crew. We *GENERALLY* follow these steps, harder to divide and conquer, most are sequential which is why I started modifying the original with a solo rigging instruction set.

Solo:
1. Lower Boarding Ladder
2. Attach Windex
3. Remove Pedestal Cover
4. Remove mast crutch and stow
5. Untie mast from roller
6. Release all bungies
7. Unpack jib from mast and slide forward into position
8. Attach forestay to mast using lock wire

9. Unlock hatch, stow hatch below
10. Bring topside:
- Mast raising system
- Spreaders
- Toolbag
11. (optional) Bring Bimini topside and set aside
12. Route side stays to outside of devices on mast crutch
13. Shut Hatch
14. Remove Mast from bow pulpit and slide aft
15. Attach mast to rear of tabernacle
16. Attach mast raising system to front of tabernacle and add tension
17. Attach spreaders -- With Boots

18. Raise the mast
19. Pin forestay & stow mast raising line
20. Attach Radio Antenna on Deck
21. Route jib sheet through blocks
22. Route furler line aft
23. (optional) Setup Bimini
24. Add Bumpers and dock lines

25. Attach boom to mast
26. Clip on topping lift
27. Insert sail slugs, attach halyard, boom vang
28. Attach mainsheet to traveler
29. Secure halyards & sheets

30. Attach Fuel Line to Motor
31. Turn on Radio
32. Stow gear below
33. Bring out cockpit cushions





Original:
AREA 1 - GROUND
1. Lower Boarding Ladder
2. Attach Windex

AREA 2 - COCKPIT
1. Unlock hatch, stow hatch below
2. Untie mast from roller
3. Release all bungies
4. Route side stays to outside of devices on mast crutch
5. Attach forestay to mast
(may already be attached)
6. Bring mast raising system and spreaders topside
7. (optional) Bring Bimini topside and set aside

AREA 3 - BOW
1. Remove mast crutch and stow
2. Release all bungies
3. Shut Hatch
4. Remove Mast from bow pulpit and slide aft
5. Attach mast to rear of tabernacle
6. Attach jib to mast
7. Attach mast raising system to front of tabernacle and add tension
8. COCKPIT: Attach spreaders
9. Raise the mast
10. Attach forestay & stow mast raising line
11. Route jib sheet through blocks
12. Route furler line aft
13. (optional) COCKPIT: Setup Bimini

AREA 4 - FORECASTLE - 5? minutes
1. Attach boom to mast
2. Clip on topping lift
3. Insert sail slugs, attach halyard, boom vang,
4. Attach mainsheet to traveler
5. Secure halyards & sheets

[kingtoros]

I should add, I'm a day sailor, so all this is done with the stability the trailer affords. It would take me longer in a slip or on the water for any of these steps.

Also, first time out invariably takes longer as you regrow your sea legs

[Jimmyt]

I don’t disconnect or move anything that I don’t absolutely have to. If I do disconnect it and or move it, I keep it as close to where it goes as possible. The boom must be disconnected from the mast, but it is stowed on deck, ratchet strapped to the stanchions. The roller main probably gives me a time advantage because I put the boom and mainsail on simultaneously, and just start the bolt rope in the slot and connect the halyard. The main sheet stays connected to the boom, but is unsnapped from the traveler. I have a quick pin in the spreaders and just unpin them and lay them flat on the life lines. This is one spot I can improve on. Anyway, I move the mast back into position, then pin the spreaders. Mast Raising System stays in place when I take the mast down, so it’s ready to go when I put it back up. Ditto furling Genoa. Dock lines are Velcro secured to stanchions at all four corners. Sheets, halyards, etc are Velcro secured to mast, boom etc as applicable. Pins instead of bolts and nuts at mast base, MRS, boom, spreaders, and bow pulpit. I typically leave the MRS on deck on a beach towel when going for a short time (4 hours or less).

I have to be deliberate in checking to make sure everything is secure before towing (I have a 7 mile long stretch at 60 mph).

I almost never rig alone. With an experienced helper, 20-30 minutes from parking to splashing is attainable. I’ve never beaten about 45 minutes on the pull out and tow prep, though. Pulling off the Velcro straps is a lot easier than putting them on and securing everything.

Absolutely agree with kingtoros. Rigging on the trailer is the way to go. In addition to stability, it’s much easier to retrieve the things you drop when the boat is still on the trailer.

[dlandersson]

Ditto.

Snowed here Saturday

I'm envious
The wind is blowing nicely here. It has broken the ice and driven it on shore but it will be a while before we'll be sailing!

[Herschel]

stickinthemud57 asked

This experience underscores the need for me to generate an actual checklist since apparently I don't do this often enough. Any hints from those who put in and take out frequently would also be helpful. Thanks in advance!

I keep my boat in the water full time, but on those occasions when I do pull her out and put her back in later after maintenance, etc., I use my checklist which I have as an Excel file so I can update it easily as details evolve or change. The way the admiral and I work it is she sits in the shade in a folding chair with the clipboard. I do the manual labor as she calls out the next task. She also functions as the safety observer since I am working 10 feet in the air over a paved surface. She passes up the water to help me stay hydrated during the hour plus I am working up there.

[Stickinthemud57]

Thanks guys! For a long time I have used the Notes app on my phone for such things, and will use these suggestions to improve on my current practices. Special thanks to those who PM'd their checklists to me.