If you are preparing to make a passage offshore on a boat with which you are not familiar, whether as crew or skipper, the pre-departure check list is what lies between a safe, seamanlike passage and an unpleasant adventure. a long passage, this process can day a couple of days.
You start by giving the boat, rig and systems a thorough look as if you were considering buying for your own use. You may or may notbe familiar with the brand, and if you are, then you have a head start. I like to walk around the decks first to check the standing and running rigging and the condition of the sails.
Next, I head to the steering system –the wheels, links and cables to see if all is in order. From there the rudder post and thru-hull fittings need to be inspected so you can see if there are any cracks in the structure or leaks.
Nathan Zhart, above, a professional skipper with a US 50-Ton Master’s license and the British RYA Yachtmaster qualification, runs Ocean Passages which offers adventure and expedition sailing experiences. He has crossed the Atlantic four times, run charter fleets in the Caribbean and logged 20,000 miles offshore. He sat down with Practical Boat Owner to discuss his pre-departure routine.
