Just a few more weeks and then it will be vacation time. The beautiful season is finally upon us, and indeed among the berths of our Genoa marina there is increasing activity, between those preparing their boats for summer and those who have already enjoyed some wonderful excursions in the spring Ligurian Sea. Along with the beautiful days comes the time for many to organize their summer cruise, with the advantage, for those who moor in the port of Genoa, of having their boat already ready in a strategic position. You have probably been thinking about the itinerary for months, perhaps planning it right now. But how do you prepare your boat for a cruise? Here is a guide.
How to Prepare Your Boat for a Cruise
What matters most, even more than the destination, is the navigation itself, and above all being certain to have everything necessary on board. Let us therefore review all the necessary steps to prepare your boat for a summer cruise, from the spring check to the items to bring.
The fundamental step is the inspection of the onboard equipment and instruments, which must be carried out well in advance of the departure date. The reason is simple: you need time to fix any issues found. It is advisable to have the engine serviced and checked in anticipation of a long outing. Its efficiency is essential to handle any emergencies. It is therefore a good habit to check the belts, impeller, filters, and oil. Performing these checks yourself allows you to know exactly where to intervene, should it be necessary. Remember that it is better to keep a spare of each of the mentioned components on board.
In addition to the engine, the electronics should be checked along with the condition of the batteries and their voltage. Ideally, use a tester on the terminals of the individual batteries to check the voltage. Another extremely important tool is the VHF, which should be checked for transmission and reception with a radio call test directed to the coast guard. Obviously, ensure that the power on and off functions work regularly. It is worth buying a portable VHF to keep handy.
At this point, you can focus on the calibration of the navigation instruments and updating the cartographic maps. A good tip in these cases is to use the provided manuals to obtain the latest version of your navigation program.
The final check on the boat should be performed on the sea intakes, which must not leak water. A couple of “bonus” tips can be to test the operation of the bilge pumps, both electric and manual, and strap a soft wooden plug near each sea intake to save time in case of a break during navigation. In most cases, this will prove to be an unnecessary precaution, but you can never be too careful.
Obviously this checklist can be completed quickly on newer boats, or on superyachts that benefit from continuous professional maintenance; those dealing with a well-used hull, however, will probably need to dedicate a few more hours to preparing the boat for a cruise.
Preparation for the Cruise: From Safety Equipment Onwards
At this point we can focus on the items to bring on board. The safety equipment required by law must not be missing. Self-inflating life jackets, inflatable devices and distress signals, to be stored in a location that you must be able to reach even in an emergency. The same applies to the life raft (it is worth noting from this perspective the regulatory update made in 2014), for which it is worthwhile to test the time it would take to launch it into the sea. If you store it too deep, you could waste precious minutes freeing it, reducing your chances of survival in an emergency.
For safety on board, fire extinguishers are essential, and their charge status must be checked. Equally important is the first aid kit, whose minimum composition was expanded by a 2016 law. For the rest, it is up to us to decide which medicines to add. It is advisable to bring some painkillers and some medicines for seasickness if a passenger should be experiencing their first navigation. It is wrong to underestimate the role of binoculars, which especially during nighttime hours can prove to be a very useful tool.
Finally, the most personal phase of cruise preparation: items for leisure. Depending on the tastes of the owner and guests, many options can be chosen. The great classics are books and cards, timeless items that always have their place during weeks of navigation. Much depends on how much company you expect to have from your guests, as well as knowledge of their tastes. At this point everything is ready to cast off and begin your vacation, without the fear of having forgotten something important. For example: have you reserved berths in the tourist ports where you intend to stop?