The list of tricks to make life easier on board is endless. Everyone has their own habits and knows the best solution for this or that. Here are 10 shared by the editors to make your daily life on board easier.
Put a label with the expiration date next to the extinguisher
The expiration date of the fire extinguishers may be printed on the standard label of the device, but seeing it clearly will allow to plan its replacement and to make all the crew aware of the care to be taken with the fire-fighting equipment.
Put a label with the call sign of the boat next to the VHF
If the boat's registration must, by law, be displayed in the cockpit, doubling this indication with a call sign label on the VHF will allow you to make calls in complete serenity.
Indicate above the throttle lever the front, dead and rear points
When handing over the helm of your motorboat to another person, having clearly marked the "slip" points of the control is a precaution that will ensure that the engine is in neutral, thus avoiding dangerous movements.
Green tape on starboard side, red tape on port side in the cabin
A reminder, perhaps incidental, for the more accustomed boaters, the position of the green and red beacons - standardized in the direction from sea to land - will be usefully recalled by two pieces of adhesive tape, the red one to port and the green one to starboard.
Have a quick information document displayed in the cockpit
Within the navigation area, each jurisdiction ( port, dam, lock.. ) usually uses separate channels. Having both their VHF channels and phone numbers on a single document will avoid having to return the onboard documentation when emergency information is needed.
If the secured draft ( with the addition of its necessary pilot's foot ) is known, what about the real draft? And the air draft?
A sheet containing all this information will help refresh your memory.
Label in the toilet to remember to close the valve
Printing a warning on the toilet door to turn off the flush valve will prevent many problems.
Note the length of the chain in the bin and mark the chain with the collars
In the anchor locker, clearly mark the length of the anchor line, the chain plus the rope. Then mark the lengths on this line with paint. A mark every five meters, for example. Start on the anchor side so you know what length was sent out when you anchored.
Mention the name of each end on the piano
On the roof of sailboats, all the maneuvers are done on a single piano. Note the name or purpose of each of these ropes on the blockers to avoid mistakes will be very useful, especially if you perform maneuvers with several people.
Bottle under the ends to avoid soiling
When you're not sailing, slip a water bottle - a full one will be stiffer - under the ends wherever they may be in contact with the deck or roof. This will prevent the gelcoat underneath from getting dirty with mold.
