Checklists Help
It’s mid-May and many of us are knee-deep in the spring commissioning process, in a socially distant manner. There are a multitude of tasks to be accomplished including: sanding and painting the bottom; washing and waxing the topsides; cleaning the cabin and cockpit; exercising the thru-hulls; checking the gas tank; clearing bilge debris; etc. Some of the tasks like spraying preservatives on the seats are relatively superfluous, while others such as ensuring that all the battery connections are tight and greased, are mission-critical. Even on a small powerboat, I find the tasks to be extensive and peace of mind is easier to achieve by use of a simple checklist that enables one to keep track of open actions and closed items. Sometimes it is fun to play fast and loose, but when it comes to commissioning, a checklist is the way to go.
