Creating a checklist has served me well over 40 years on seven different boats, from a 14-foot sailboat to a 25-foot pontoon boat. It applies to offshore, lakes, rivers and never wears out. The list is easy to maintain, as its in the computer, and copies can be printed out anytime. The list contains the essential gear: anchor, horn, bucket, first-aid kit, flashlight, flag, lifejackets, radio, cell phone, binoculars, jumper cables, etc. It also contains non-essentials: sunscreen, watertoys, beach chairs, sun shade, towels, trailer lug nut wrench, charts, etc. Not everything is needed on every trip. There are 46 items on my current checklist, including camping gear. I also use it to check off what needs to come home after a busy weekend. On one recent trip, when I did not use the checklist, I drove 45 miles to have the boat serviced and forgot the ignition key. It's number one on the list.

– Bob Ritchie