Glen JusticeWhen Anonymous Source was new, I had a long list to address – and nothing has changed.
On a boat, lists can help you stay sane. Making these lists, however, can have the opposite effect.
Writing my "to-do" list for spring outfitting has forced me to confront all that work ahead. This is a good thing, of course, but it does have some shock value. Here, in draft form and in no particular order, is the list as it stands. And I'm not done yet.
I plan to refine it, add some items, cross some items off, prioritize it and then make a plan to get all this stuff done.
- Possible leak in transducer thru-hull
- Check with the marina (may lose my slip)
- Haul out for bottom cleaning, paint, zincs (need a yard)
- Engine and generator maintenance (use the spares)
- Replace the spares
- Fluids for hydrolics, steering, thruster, batteries
- Water systems flushed
- Decks cleaned and waxed
- Canvas needs thorough cleaning (showing some mildew)
- Check inflatable life jackets (cartridges and CO2)
- Re-fit the kids for lifejackets
- Setup some system to clip them on (not exactly jack lines, but...)
- Add some throw rings
- Check the extinguishers and flares
- Fix Lifesling (bag tore, needs re-mounting)
- Clean the tender
- Need a canvas cover for the tender
- Maintenance on the outboard
- Find the tender's towing bridle
- Create a towing harness for the boat
- Clean the kayak
- Look for wear on the kayak mounting system
- Run down the smell from the head (probably a hose)
- Remove excess gear (including the small dinghy on the bow and my anchor collection)
- Fix trim tab indicator (not working)
- Calibrate the wind indicator (working, but may not be accurate)
- Evaluate the anchor line and chain (may need replacement)
- Maintenanance on the windlass
- Replace the VHF on the fly bridge (not working)
- Fix the dashboard on the flybridge (not flush)
- New chart cards for the chartplotters
- Organize the tracks and waypoints
- Troubleshoot the PC (not working)
- Get the boat its own iPod
- Launder everything: sheets, pillows, etc
- Clean the water toys at a laundromat
- Clean the anchor locker
- Clean the bilges and engine compartment
- Huge interior clean (cabins, head, galley)
- Huge flybridge clean
- Mount the boat hooks
- Clean the canvas covers
- Clean out the back lazarette
- Evaluate the coolers (may need replacement)
- Pinstriping needs removal
- New batteries for everything (flashlights, fire alarms)
- Charge everything: hand helds, spotlights, etc
- Run the portable (Honda) generator
- Need water filter system
- Install the AIS (needs an antenna)
- Install the Maretron weather station
- Finish installing the Krill monitoring system
- Check registration stickers
- Check insurance
- Collect a paycheck, because this is like a second job!
Know about those lists...
Since I see you have a small (I assume) Honda generator... how do you like it? I generally like their stuff and will need something about that size on my boat.
The Honda has been an asset. I don't use it much, because I have a diesel generator onboard that is tied into the electrical system. But when I have used it – to run a heater in winter, a mister in summer or some such thing – it has been great.
The biggest drawback is that it requires me to keep gasoline aboard, which I'd rather avoid (I have a diesel engine). But I have to have gas for the outboard anyway. The Honda is also one more thing to maintain, and storage is not the easiest thing.
Having said that, the unit is quiet and reliable – perfect for a backup. I picked it up two years ago as a boat show special, and I really can't complain.
If you read the forums out there (TheHullTruth, etc.), you will find much back-and-forth on these. There are hard-core fans and critics. I don't use it as a primary power supply and can't vouch for it in that capacity, but for what I do it has performed nicely.