I could probably do it in less than 15 minutes, but I like to let the engine warm up for 5 to 10 minutes (depending on outside air temperature) before getting under way.
Ted
We usually drive from the fly bridge and the list helps make sure we have everything we need up there.
Agree that long periods of idling isn't good. 5 to 10 minutes of idle followed by hours of cruising in a day has no effect. Can't think of a commercial fisherman or charter boat captain that doesn't let there engine warm up before they leave the dock.I always "warm up" my engine underway so I move off at no wake speed as soon as it is started. No idling without a load for me, it's bad for the engine.
Those that have checklists (Pineapple Girl, O C Diver, caltexflac, etc), would you be willing to share them? I know they are probably specific to your boat, but as an engineer, I love checklists... I just haven't created my own for departure/arrival/leaving yet.
Those that have checklists (Pineapple Girl, O C Diver, caltexflac, etc), would you be willing to share them? I know they are probably specific to your boat, but as an engineer, I love checklists... I just haven't created my own for departure/arrival/leaving yet.
Takes me longer. Besides turning off electrics and plugging into shore, I take down the flags and give the Coot a freshwater shower.We treat our boat almost (but not quite) like car.
Last Sunday afternoon we went out for a cocktail cruise. Arrived at boat with a pitcher of cocktails and snacks. I made a quick check of the bilge, checked the oil and noticed a bit of water in the Racor. Took about 5 minutes to find a container and drain it.
Then fired up the engine, let it idle 2-3 minutes until air heater went off, cast off the lines and pulled out of the slip. Maybe 10 minutes tops.
Pulling back in the slip is even shorter. Tie the lines (3 minutes) shut down the engine. Hook up shorepower and check panel for AC (2 minutes). Grab the remnants of the snacks and cocktails (none ;-) and walk off the boat.
How long does it take to prep your boat to take out, away from the dock? Do you have a check-list?
As I posted above, we usually leave around dawn so washing the boat beforehand (in the dark) is not practical. We just keep it relatively clean at the dock regardless of cruising plans.I think most of you are not telling the truth! You take the boat out dirty, bird poop and all. How gross! You may as well run dirty with your fender down! Not cool!
There have been previous discussions that 2 to 3 hours is spent maintaining/preping the boat for 1 hour away from the dock. In my cases it's a couple of hundred hour for each hour.
Most commercial/charter warm the engine up and check/double check before they leave the dock.
Agree that long periods of idling isn't good. 5 to 10 minutes of idle followed by hours of cruising in a day has no effect. Can't think of a commercial fisherman or charter boat captain that doesn't let there engine warm up before they leave the dock.
Ted