Cruising is often described as the art of working on your boat in exotic places. All boats break. Get over it. We are now so calm about it that when I pointed out to Susie that the main halyard had broken and fallen down the mast, our guests had to ask "is that a good thing?" I'm proud to say that our most recent insurance survey turned up no problems. And, the surveyor found quite a few things that he was quite surprised actually worked. The key for me is to not get overwhelmed. Prioritize repairs. Work with your partner. Don't let things go to far. We establish "TODO" lists and don't try to get to much done at a time. Schedule unpleasant or sweaty tasks when regular swim breaks are possible. Ask for and give help with repairs. Get and read Nigel Calder's Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Repair. Consider maintenance a part of life aboard. Don't panic

Here's our list.

• Information Systems
• Boat Log of
• arrival/departure for trips, elapsed time, how much motoring, winds/currents underway, headings, average speed
• anchorages - where anchored, how deep, type of bottom
• weather conditions - barometer, temp, clouds, winds around headlands
• Fill ups - how much diesel, gas, water and propane. When. How much purchased. What paid.
• Repairs - When. What parts used
• Inventory/Storage
• parts on hand, where located, part numbers (and alternate part numbers)
• Selection of bulbs, fuses, stainless steel nuts, bolts and screws, hose clamps, adhesives, hoses, line
• Partial provisioning lists - long term or staple items, template for shopping
• Checklist/mnemonics
• Leaving boat - PWC SKI GAS Phone, Water, Camera Shoes, Keys Instruments off, Garbage and Sunscreen
• Getting Underway - what to stow, what to lash down, valves to close, engine coolant, oil, overboard lines, sail prep, windlass, winches
• Weather - record on a calendar:
• weather forecast date and forecast - Here's how I do it
• actual weather experienced - barometric pressure, winds
• Diesel Engine
• good water flow, check every time!
• Impeller - on some boats, easiest checked by above
• Clean, fresh oil - every 300 hours, new oil filter, check oil level
• Clean fuel filters - watch for smoke
• Corrosion - clean and paint or CRC/ find source of problem and fix!
• Keep engine clean. Look for evidence of leaks - corrosion, stains
• Keep engine bilge clean - look for oil, salt, fallen parts
• Inspect for loose bolts
• Inspect for loose belts - listen for changes in sound
• Inspect for loose wiring - unsupported wires will break
• Tighten hose clamps
• Check transmission fluid
• Plumbing Systems
• exercise through hull valves once a month
• tighten all hose clamps once a month - look for leaks/clamps which have vibrated loose.
• Heads
• 3 strokes of pump per foot of hose
• Deposit nothing you haven't eaten first (with possible exceptions of: TP, diluted vinegar, vegetable oil and fresh water)
• spare head pumps and/or rebuild kit
• Test for odors - rag left on hose for 15 min. If it smells, hose is permeated and must be replaced A smelly boat is not a happy boat.
• Electrical Systems
• Know how to test simple circuits
• Learn (or get) your wiring diagram and understand cable markings/color codes
• Bring a multi-meter, know how to use it
• Take care of your batteries
• keep connections clean, well tightened
• keep batteries well secured
• keep discharge between 50% and 90%
• Match your power consumption to generation capacity
• Match your power storage capacity to power consumption
• Rigging Systems
• polish your stainless - examine swages, cotter pins, screws while you do it
• chafe - check furling lines, snubbers, dock lines, halyards, sheets, sails as you use them
• limit luffing, loose lashings, chafe protect rough areas crossed by lines.
• clean and grease your winches once a season
• clean windlass and replace lubricant, check and CRC electrics
• Refrigeration
• dry, adequate insulation for the box and lid. Try Reflectix
• fill box with water, bags of Styrofoam if not full of food
• buy refrigeration gauges and know how to use them
• coolant
• Know what is normal?
• Leaks (hatches, ports)
• Keep hatches greased and working smoothly - bent hatches leak
• Keep port and gaskets clean and supple
• Re-bed as required
• Dinghy
• cleaning - keep out of the water, clean bottom
• engine maintenance - change spark plugs, watch for good water flow and corrosion. Keep greased
• leaks
• hoisting/locking nightly
• stowage underway
• In the immortal words of Melodye: "Lock it, or lose it!"