Cruising Check List


The following check list is meant for first time cruisers heading out for a 2 or 3 day excursion on the Ottawa River on a 20 to 26 foot sailboat. See further down this page for additional information for first time cruisers.

Fuel...

[ ] sufficient fuel
     (maybe an extra tank of gasoline if you have a
       really hungry 2 stroke outboard.)

[ ] two stroke motor oil

[ ] fuel for the stove (alcohol/kerosene)

[ ] propane for the stove and/or BBQ

Engine...

[ ] extra cotter/shear pin for outboard

[ ] extra spark plugs

[ ] basic tool kit

Batteries...

[ ] fully charged boat batteries

[ ] proper battery fluid levels

Water & waste...

[ ] fresh water to drink and rinse dishes

[ ] empty holding tank

[ ] toilet paper

[ ] chemicals for the head

[ ] several large garbage bags

[ ] lots of smaller plastic bags

Essential Equipment...

[ ] all required safety equipment

[ ] anchor & rode
      (maybe a second anchor and rode)

[ ] good flash light

[ ] VHF radio (or weather radio receiver)

[ ] extra batteries for radio & flash light

[ ] first aid kit

[ ] sunscreen

[ ] aspirin and other basic medicines

[ ] seasickness medicine (?)

[ ] boarding ladder (folding or removable)

[ ] mosquito screens!

[ ] anchor light

[ ] clothes pegs
      (for hanging towels, etc on the lifelines.)

[ ] insect repellent

[ ] insect coils (to burn)

[ ] mooring lines
      (day sailors tend to leave their mooring lines
        tied to the dock at their marina or club)


Navigation...

[ ] chart(s)

[ ] binoculars

[ ] compass

[ ] depth sounder (or lead line)

[ ] copy of cruising guide
       from this web site
(optional)

[ ] logbook (optional)

Almost Essential Equipment...

[ ] Cellular Phone (with 12 volt charger)
       (Essential for most people, unless you're
       trying to get away from everything)

[ ] awning

[ ] BBQ

[ ] propane for BBQ

[ ] dinghy

[ ] oars for the dinghy

[ ] GPS & extra batteries
       (especially if you plan to sail at night)

[ ] flags/club burgee

Food...

[ ] ice or freezer packs
       (ice made in a deep freezer at home tends to
       last longer then the commercial variety)

[ ] food for X number of breakfasts

[ ] food for X number of lunches

[ ] food for X number of dinners

[ ] food for daily snacks

[ ] juices/soft drinks
      (with meals and throughout the day)

[ ] coffee/milk/sugar (maybe tea)

[ ] spices

[ ] salt & pepper

[ ] butter/ketchup/mustard/mayonnaise

[ ] Tobasco or Red Hot Sauce
      (caution, very hot!)

[ ] wine/beer
      (for when you are anchored for the night)

Galley...

[ ] matches

[ ] working stove

[ ] paper towels

[ ] cutlery & plates

[ ] glasses & cups

[ ] pots and pans

[ ] camping toaster (for stove)

[ ] chopping knife, cooking utensils

[ ] strainer (for preparing pasta)

[ ] dish washing liquid

[ ] dish washing cloth

[ ] plastic wash basin

[ ] non skid mats

[ ] Secure means of using the stove in
       the cockpit
(for smaller boats)

Personal...

[ ] sunglasses

[ ] hats

[ ] any prescription medicines

[ ] contact lenses and cleaner

[ ] soap (biodegradable)

[ ] shampoo

[ ] tampons

[ ] hair brush, razor, etc

[ ] mirror

[ ] toothpaste and toothbrushes

[ ] pillows

[ ] bed sheets/blankets or sleeping bags

[ ] towels

[ ] bathing suits!

[ ] other basic clothing

[ ] rain gear/foul weather jacket

[ ] sailing gloves (for handling lines)

[ ] sailing shoes/boots

[ ] some warmer clothes for the evening
      (especially early or late in the season, or if
        unseasonably cool weather is expected.)


Entertainment...

[ ] books & magazines

[ ] cards/chess game/
       cross word puzzles/etc

[ ] camera (with film / memory card)

[ ] fishing equipment

[ ] fishing licence

[ ] writing paper/pen/pencil

[ ] AM/FM radio (extra batteries)

[ ] CD or MP3 player

[ ] Laptop computer
       (People often bring one of these. Not recommended
       unless, of course, you are sailing on official
       office time.)


Children...

[ ] toys

[ ] books, etc

[ ] toy fishing rod

[ ] inflatable/water toys

[ ] paper/crayons/pencils

[ ] Baby supplies - (Portable baby seat, collapsible travel crib (?), sun bonnet, sunscreen for infants, disposable diapers, lots of wipes, lots of plastic bags, blankets and familiar objects from home, baby bottles, formula, etc, etc...)


Return to Top


     
           Some Information for First Time Cruisers.

    1. Make sure you have the basic anchoring equipment and skills (see the article on Anchoring) and all necessary supplies (see cruising check list above). It's amazing how we always seem to forget something.

    2. For your first cruise, don't be too ambitious in terms of trying to cover long distances or staying out too many days. This is especially important if you are cruising out with children. If the wind doesn't cooperate, don't be afraid to use your motor to make sure you get to your anchorage by a reasonable hour.

    3. Plan to make use of anchorages which offer protection from the announced or prevailing winds (usually from the north-west). This is obviously less important if the forecast only calls for light and variable winds during the night. Ask around if you don't know what to expect.

    4. If you are unsure about your anchoring skills, try to arrive at your anchorage a little early before it fills up (i.e. before 5 o'clock in the afternoon). Also note that anchorages that are crowded on weekends can be deserted on weekdays. Moreover, crowded anchorages near major boating centres may thin out a little by early evening as boats only out for the day pick up anchor and head back to their club or marina.

    5. Before turning in for the night, try to identify and eliminate potential sources of noise on your boat. As your boat bobs around in the water, noises can be generated by a door that squeaks back and forth, a rudder that keeps thumping against the hull, and halyards that slaps against the mast. These noises may be barely noticeable during the day, but they can drive you crazy when trying to sleep in the middle of the night.

    6. You really don't need a dinghy for short cruises on the Ottawa River. Nonetheless, they are handy for simply rowing around the anchorage, visiting other boats, and of course, to go ashore to do a little exploring. At some later date you may want to consider getting a rigid tender (a pain to have to tow around) or and inflatable (a pain to inflate and deflate). In the meantime, it may be worth buying a cheap vinyl inflatable dinghy at a hardware store. They can be used as a working dinghy in a pinch, and the rest of time serve as a convenient swimming platform.

    [Return to Top]



Text and list by Michael McGoldrick.
[ Copyright & Disclaimer ]


[ Return to Home Page ]



[ Sailquest.com ]