WILDWIND ORIENTATION REMINDERS Alan Silverstein, ajs@frii.com, https://silgro.com Last updated: December 23, 2019 Use this document (or your own custom version, treat this just as an example) when walking new crewmembers through the boat at the start of the trip. (Whenever I've tried to skip this time-consuming tour I've regretted it later in the week.) Keep this short so it's usable! Hence there are two parts: 1. Brief reminders for me so I cover what's necessary. 2. Longer backing material such as to share with new owners. === BRIEFLY === Safety: * STAY OUT OF WATER WHILE ENGINES RUNNING except under direct control of captain. * ANCHOR/DEANCHOR = dangerous and stressful time. Be helpful, pay attention to hand signals if at the stern (noisy), obey the captain, and stay cool if he/she barks orders at you. * CAUTION WITH FIRE: Point out gas/propane tanks, fill points, fire extinguishers; show during walkthrough. * LONG HIKE, SWIM, etc: Tell someone where you're going, don't just vanish; take a radio. Solo swimming is risky, if you cramp or are injured will anyone notice? * CHECK REAR DEPTH before diving or sliding. (Captain's responsibility after anchoring.) * EVERYONE IS INVITED TO DRIVE but MUST be trained first: Open water level + close maneuvering level. Walk-through, front to rear to top: (Unobvious items only, look around for the rest to cover.) * FRONT DECK: - gangplank - lifevests - sliding door hold-open snaps * LIVING ROOM: - horn - marine radio (16, 88) - spotlight, docking lights - generator start/stop (run for heavy draws like microwave) - ACC switch on for CD player - light switches throughout: walls + overhead - conserve juice => less generator time - map binder, show'n'tell binder * KITCHEN: - fridges: keep latched; spoilables up high at fins; CHECK lights - water heater switch - lake + FW pump switches + spigots - FW from limited tank, don't waste it - sink scrubber + sponges - wipe out and trash grease/sauce, minimize gunk into lake - freezer operation - anchoring tips sheet in closet * BATHROOMS: - operation + ensure valves off - human waste + RV TP only; trash feminine products, tissues, etc * HALL/STATEROOMS: - closet hidden corners (lost items) - under bunk access (forgive me moving your stuff) - electrical master switch * REAR DECK: - propane, turn off if fire - throw ring on wall - generator panel, switch under it, gas pump ball - swim ladder - caution losing items overboard in wind * TOP DECK: - danger near rails, if big wave hits we won't know you fell in - water slide bucket + "clear below" - awning lights - caution losing items overboard in wind * JOBS (maybe ask for volunteer help) - anchor/deanchor helpers - trash collection - pop/cooler/ice management - food prep/cleanup === BACKGROUND NOTES === The following annotation expands and elaborates on some of the items above for new houseboat share owners. * STAY OUT OF WATER WHILE ENGINES RUNNING except under direct control of captain. Also talk about our colloquial use of the phrases, "fire in the hole" or "clear props" when starting engines, and yelling "stop" to the captain if there's a problem of any kind. Perhaps explain consistent use of "neutral" versus "idle" (latter means the props are spinning). * ANCHOR/DEANCHOR = dangerous and stressful time. Be helpful, pay attention to hand signals if at the stern (noisy), obey the captain, and stay cool if he/she barks orders at you. A routine problem is people paying out anchor line from the rear and then cleating the lines who cannot hear over the engines. (Remember to turn off the generator, if it's running, while approaching shore or dock.) You might work out a few hand signals ahead of time for "slack", "pull", "tie", etc. * CHECK REAR DEPTH before diving or sliding. (Captain's responsibility after anchoring.) I use a nylon fishing line for this, with lead weights crimped on and tied into place every 5'. The depth gauge at the helm is handy, but I never remember to check it when I'm exactly one boat length out from shore. Walk-through, front to rear to top: * FRONT DECK: - gangplank Talk about how to keep an eye on it if the boat swings so it doesn't get damaged. Also explain that when appropriate it might not be pulled all the way out to touch shore, sometimes it's out only a little for stepping on/off. - lifevests Ensure the storage door is unlocked. Also explain the BBQ including off/max/min dials, and battery igniter; foot wash bucket if you put one by the front gate; trash pails (don't toss stuff in them, they are for storing bagged trash from indoors only). Plastic chairs are fine to take ashore, bring them back and rinse them off if needed. * LIVING ROOM: - marine radio (88, 16) Channel 16 for emergencies; WX or 01 for weather. Always powers on at 16, if in doubt turn it off and on. High/low power, but wakes up high and we tend to always use that. Squelch and volume controls. If it says "I", hold down U/I for three seconds to return to "U" channels. Off at night, on 88 normally during the day, don't change this if people are out skiing or hiking with radios. - generator start/stop (run for heavy draws like microwave) Hold the switch on until the green light shows, or 10 seconds, whichever comes first. If you turn it on you own it, remember to turn it off. Save batteries, run generator for bow fuel pump, microwave, hair dryers, etc. * KITCHEN: - water heater switch Self-ignites, shows red until flame starts. Turn off then back on to recycle; light should go out soon. Small capacity but fast recharge. - FW from limited tanks Use FW only for drinking, cooking, and toothbrushing, it is NOT for washing yourself or dishes. - sink scrubber + sponges A routine problem is that some people like to put soap in their sponges while dishwashing, but then you can't wipe counters with them. I put out a scrubber pad and ask for "no soap in the sponges". Also some people like separate sponges for counters versus floors, so I set this up and tell people which is which. I also put a sponge in each bathroom which is for counters, floors, toilets, whatever. Also point out where the food is, including the lazy susan in particular, it's easy to overlook. Also I put in place two dishtowels (from home) in the kitchen and one in each bathroom; I explain they are shared, public, optional. * BATHROOMS: Location of TP, first aid kits, etc. Blue chemical: I add it periodically, please coordinate with me if you detect a smell. I also mention that graywater (including shower) goes directly to the lake. * HALL/STATEROOMS: Point out hangers in closets and invite their use. Also talk about optional removal of bunk pads (BEFORE piling gear on them) to the upper deck for the week (store upside down under upside-down table, below awning). Double-wide pads are a pain to remove and return, but all are comfortable for sleeping. Point out that lower single bunk pulls out to wider bed. * REAR DECK: - propane, turn off if fire Turn center selector to one tank only and turn off the other tank. Ensure hose connections tight to tanks. Normal to run out about Friday each week, watch for CHECK on fridges and switch tanks if the captain is off hiking. Also point out slip and head-bump hazards, etc.