Boat Captain

From CSCWiki

Keelboat maintenance at CSC is a big problem -- it's just too much for one person, the 3rd Vice Commodore, to keep up with.

Let's put a system in place where each boat has a Senior member responsible for it, named the 'Boat Captain'. The Boat Captain, and the 3rd Vice, has the following responsibilities: (Maybe each keelboat skipper should be required to be on a particular boat's maintenance crew. When they sail they can then encourage non seniors to step up and help out with that boat)

• Twice a month, conduct an inspection to make sure the boat meets the club's standards for sailability, stowage, equipment, etc. '(TODO: Write these standards)' and make sure deficiencies get corrected by replacing missing/broken items, attending to minor repair issues, etc.
• Mark the boat "Do Not Sail" if it is not in a sailable condition
• Organize, with the 3rd Vice and Rear Commodores, work parties and instructional sessions to ensure routine maintenance happens

... and has the following powers:

• Final authority on whether the boat is Sailable or Do Not Sail
• Ability to suspend members who abuse the boat until the next ExComm meeting
• Permission to reserve a club keelboat once a quarter for any 8-hour period when the boat is not in use for a Scheduled Club Activity (e.g. Open House or Lessons)

Boat Captain Inspection Checklist

Here are some thoughts from Saul. More organization is needed.

• We have battery operated night CG approved signal and day signals on all working keelboats now. In addition to flares they should be checked.
• Check the fire extinguisher. Is it charged? If you really want to be dilligent, you should shake it before you go sailing. The act of sailing makes it usless if it were really needed, unless it is regularly shaken.
• I would mention something about the wires for the shrouds. I wonder how long Daisy's wire was broken before it was noticed.
• I would make a check box about blocks and running rigging. Maybe have a line drawing profile of the boat.
• Check for dings and scratches.
• Check for deck soft spots.
• When checking the rigging look up. Check the spreaders. Pull the shrouds. Do they feel looser than last time?
• Do the chain plates move?
• Jiggle the tiller; is there excess play?
• Check the boom where it attaches to the boom, mast where vang and gooseneck attach.
• On boats with movable motor mounts, does the mount move easily?
• Does the mount or transom seem softer then before?
• Is the engine crooked or straight on the mount?
• Do you plan on using the engine? If so, lower it into the water, put it in gear, and throttle up. Does it work? How does it run? Does it need servicing?
• Bail the boat. How much water was in it? How much is in it when you get back? If you bail first thing then you can look again just before you go sailing. Did the water level change? Bail the boat when you return.