Protocol for Leaving Boat for Months

[jongleur]

Previously, I asked how far away you were from
your boat.

Now, I want to know if you have a list of items
to do when leaving your boat for a month or more
in a slip.

Items on my list are:

Loosen dock lines
Reset fenders
Set up trickle charger/maintainer/battery switch
Turn electric items off
Empty head/holding tank
Clean out galley/food
Make sure solar vent is on and open
Close thru hulls
Take out trash
Dog hatches/ports
Clear the cockpit
Tie rigging back/down

Any more?

[ShaktisBoy]

Make sure bilge is dry
Top off fuel
Maybe place chemical dryers around the cabin to help reduce mold.

Make friends with a local you can trust who you can call to check up on the boat and either give him/her a key or hide one so in an emergency they can get in without breaking stuff.

Along those same lines it would not hurt to have someone start the boat every few weeks to keep things running smooth for your return.

[haiqu]

Test your bilge pumps.

[scuba0_1]

If you're at dock the dock master might check I your boat.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[markpierce]

Remove sails. Make sure there is power to the sump pumps and that their thru-hulls haven't been closed. Leave an emergency phone number visible on the boat. Develop a relationship with neighbors so they will be inclined to notify you and marina management if a problem appears with your boat. Arrange for periodic exterior washing.

[chubby]

lifted from:
Checklist To Leave Boat For Hurricane Season

Prioritized
Leave
Winterlude In Water List
com
muterCRUISER.com Revised 4.27.2014
Leave Winterlude in Water: Prioritized by Day
-
Reverse Order
Last Day:
______ Store Sails Below
______ Dehumidifier
______ Empty, Defrost & Dry Fridge
______ Set out Roach, Ant Traps, Bay Leaves & Bounce
______ Leave cushions & locker doors askew
______ Laundry incl sheets, pillow shams, comforter, rugs, etc.
______ Leave Bilge Open
______ Freshwater Flush Head & Cup of Tide or Kills Odors
______ Cover Hatches
______ Close Seacocks
______ Maxprop zinc in cockpit for bottom cleaning diver
_______Remove Canvas (Dodger, Bimini & Sail Cover) Store Below

Day Before:
______ Clean Stove
_______ Clean out Lockers & Shelves –anything with food
_______ Chain Over Side for Lightning
_______ Remove & Fold Sails
_______ Shadetree Shade Up
_______ Disconnect Propane
_______ Lash Kayaks on Deck, last minute 303 exposed areas
_______ Close aft scuppers
_______ Put Boat Map Drawing Out
_______ Stow & Cover Dinghy
_______ Meet with caretaker to review duties

Earlier:
_______ Monthly Battery Check & Top off Water
_______ Equalize Batteries
_______ Clean & Oil Interior Teak
_______ Polish Stainless
_______ Wax Deck
_______ Polish Hull
_______ Wash Boat
_______ Wash & Dry Sails
_______ Clean & 303 Dinghy
_______ Clean & 303 Kayaks
_______ Winterize Tohatsu
_______ Pickle Spectra Watermaker


_______ Fresh Water Flush Diesel & Put to Bed
_______ 303 Radar & GPS Antenna
_______ Wash Wetsuits & Shoes/Sink The Stink
_______ Fresh Water Wash Chain & Anchor
_______ Fresh Water Wash Anchor Locker
_______ Clean Bilge
_______ Take All Batteries Out
______ Disconnect all Electronics –VHF & SSB in Oven
_______ Store Dive Tanks
______ Oil Change for Nanni Kubota
______ Oil Change for Tohatsu Lower Unit
_______ Oil Change for Honda & Drain Gas
_______ KISS Stowed Below
_______ Clean Screens
______ Remote VHF Inside
______ Secure Sump Pump
_______ Clean Check Valve as a precaution
_______ Diesel –fill or clean tanks?
________Top off Water Tanks –add bleach
_______ Clean Grill
_______ Clean & Tri-Lube Locks
______ Refill Propane as needed
_______ Clean Stainless on Porthole Screens
________ Take Insurance Photos
________ Findsomeone for excess 50/1 gasoline
________ Chafing gear in place, lines doubled
________ Extra 2 coatsof varnish on teak
________ Remove & Store Kayak Seats & Life Jackets
Arrange:
_______ Caretaker –Define Duties & Review
_______ Bottom Cleaning
_______ Arrange Stainless, Wax if needed while gone

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Leave an emergency phone number visible on the boat. Develop a relationship with neighbors so they will be inclined to notify you and marina management if a problem appears with your boat.

Can't believe I forgot these. I do both, and the neighbors have saved me from having a sunken boat due to a failed bilge pump while I was interstate. Maritime authorities and police have also both used my number in emergencies.

[JPA Cate]

If you're going to leave power on for a pump, then that through hull better be open so all the water from the T-storms can exit! BTDT. Mucho mould. Yuck. Actually, had closed the through-hull. Not nice on return. Boat smelled like a mildew factory.

Ann