The art of sailing is to take the most energy from the wind to propel you top you desired goal. Weather racing or cruising the intent is the same. I always have said the fastest way to learn and become proficient in your sailing skills is to race. Racing is only going efficiently to the next mark while cruising is going efficiently to your next stop over.

I have added a Pre-Trip inspection list everyone should use for a pre trip exercise in the classroom. Feel free to add to your list but remember to always do a PRE TRIP inspection for your own as well as your crews safety.

The “Before You Cast Off” Cruise Checklist for Sailors A smooth cruise usually starts long before the dock lines come off. The best skippers build a simple repeatable system that catches problems while they’re still easy to fix. Here’s a practical checklist you can actually use before your next sailing trip. 1. Weather & Route Planning Never skip this one — even for a short day sail. Check: - Marine forecast - Wind direction and gusts - Wave height and period - Tides and currents - Visibility/fog - Thunderstorm risk - Sunset time - Alternate harbors or anchorages Ask Yourself: - What’s my “turn back” condition? - What’s my bailout marina? - Is the crew ready for the forecast — not the hope? 2. Hull & Deck Walkaround Do one slow lap around the boat. Inspect: - Dock lines - Fenders secured - Hull damage - Through-hulls - Rudder movement - Prop area clear - Anchor secured properly - Lifelines tight - Deck hardware secure - Hatches closed A 3-minute walkaround prevents a shocking number of problems. 3. Rigging & Sails Especially important after winter storage or heavy weather. Standing Rigging: - Cotter pins taped - Turnbuckles secure - No broken wire strands - Chainplates dry and solid Running Rigging: - Halyards clear - Sheets not fouled - Reefing lines run correctly - Winches working Sails: - Reef points ready - Battens secure - Sail ties removed - UV covers secure 4. Engine Check Even sailors love their auxiliary engine when docking gets sporty. Before Starting: - Oil level - Coolant level - Raw water strainer - Belt tension - Fuel level - Battery voltage - Bilge dry After Starting: - Cooling water flowing - No alarms - No fuel smell - Forward/reverse working 5. Electrical Systems Verify: - Batteries charged - Navigation lights working - VHF radio operational - GPS/chartplotter functioning - Cabin lights - USB charging/power banks - Solar charging if installed Carry a flashlight even if everything works perfectly.

We are a community so lets offer information from our collective experiences.

How do you prepaid for the regattas you are entering? Do you go out and practise or do you just wing it?