When planning an upcoming day on the water, it is important to check a few things before leaving the dock. For your peace of mind, here is some advice for preparing for a day out.
☛ 1. Verify the Condition of the Boat
Whether aboard a Jeanneau sailboat or powerboat, before leaving the dock, ensure that your boat is in good seaworthy condition. Rigging, engine, safety equipment, rudder, valves, and through-hulls, etc., this quick checklist enables you to cruise in complete safety.
Whether it is your own boat or a chartered boat, take to sea, do not take risks.
Before leaving the dock, fill up your fresh water and fuel tanks, and fill a jerrican for the tender if it is equipped with an outboard engine; the gauges must indicate that they are full.
Check, too, that the batteries are fully charged, and that your propane tanks are full.
☛ 2. Safety Equipment On Board
According to the type of cruising you are planning (coastal, offshore…) you must meet safety regulations and have the list of mandatory equipment on board the boat.
Here is a quick reminder:
- Basic: Up to 2 nautical miles from a safe harbor
- Coastal: Up to 6 nautical miles from a safe harbor
- Semi-Offshore: Between 6 and 60 nautical miles from a safe harbor
- Offshore: Over 60 nautical miles from a safe harbor
You will find the complete list of equipment to keep on board for your safety and that of your crew.
If you are leaving with children on board, install netting on the lifelines, and plan to have life vests on board that are adapted to their size. If you are planning to cruise single-handed or by night, a harness and a lifeline fixed onto the boat are strongly recommended.
☛ 3. The Weather
As with any trip, a vacation aboard a boat must be planned and prepared for, as well. Before undertaking a cruise, study the nautical charts even more closely if you plan to discover new places (islands, …).
Check the marine forecast with the harbourmaster and/or online, and equip yourself with local charts to plan out your full itinerary ahead of time. The tide and current charts, as well as any information in the Almanac or updated coastal guide (required), are also useful.
You will also want to share your navigation plans – including stopovers, and the locations and lengths of time/days you plan to be cruising – with someone who will remain onshore.
☛ 4. The Crew
Verify that your crew is in good health so that each member is in good shape for your getaway. Bring a new first aid kit on board in order to respond to any potential injuries (cuts, burns, …), and be sure to keep sunscreen and the essentials on board in case of sunburn (aloe, …). The sun is treacherous on the water, and it is better to prevent a sunburn than to heal one.
Whatever the conditions, seasickness can occur without warning, and you may need a bucket that is easily acquired from shore. Avoid at all costs any situations of fatigue, hunger, cold, or thirst.
☛ 5. Personal Equipment
As you prepare for your cruise, plan to bring appropriate attire in function with the weather predictions and your activities, and especially in function with the region in which you will be cruising: base or thermal layers, sailing jacket, and foul weather gear or drysuit, and/or swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, … all can be stored in the dedicated storage spaces.
Ensure that personal equipment is adapted to the cruising region and that you have the appropriate clothing for very hot days as well as cool evenings onboard.
☛ 6. Comfort On Board
Jeanneau boats are known for their timeless design and generous interior volumes. Our boats are designed with multiple ergonomic storage compartments to facilitate stowing and accessing your bags and personal effects in your cabins.
We advise you to see that all your personal effects are packed in sacks or soft-sided suitcases, enabling space savings once they are emptied into the storage lockers and compartments onboard.
☛ 7. Provisions
Aboard your Jeanneau, you will find numerous easily accessible storage spaces in which to stock your provisions. Before leaving shore, ask each of your crew members about their tastes, and prepare a list of meals in advance.
Do not neglect meals at sea, since you will be physically active all day during the day, and/or even during the night, and you will be exposed to the sun and sea salt, which will dehydrate you. Be sure to foresee enough water, fresh fruits and vegetables, and starches for the entire crew to maintain their daily activity.
Check with the harbourmaster to see if the local food and supplies store offers a delivery service to the dock
Now GET ON THE WATER with family and friends!