Things to do before a launch

[DiverDan]

Well the time has finally come, Launch date for my 1970 32' Hankins is May 15 barring more than 4 foot seas.

I have been soaking the bilge with water to get the wood to take up and the dripping has just about stopped (except for 2 or 3 places, then only a slow drip)

All hardware is installed and ready, just need to clean up around the boat, and get everything in its place.

Engine has been run, and batteries are charged

So what am I forgetting???

I wish I could just launch and sit at the dock for a few days, but I have to travel 4 miles in open ocean to get to my new slip (going from Shark River NJ to Manasquan River NJ)

d

[ 05-10-2002, 07:31 AM: Message edited by: DiverDan ]

[John R Smith]

Check and/or stow -

* Bilge pumps

* Lifejackets

* Flares

* VHF Radio

* Anchors and cable

* Spare fuel

* Long warp for towing

Good luck smile.gif

John

[nedL]

It sounds like you should be all set Dan! Do you have a good anchor w/ chain & lots of anchor rode all set to go? Sometimes that is the best safety equip. you can have.
Congratulations, you got a lot of work done on her this past winter. The only thing I'll add is to suggests that you head south to Manasquan in the morning to avoid that south breeze that always seems to come up in the afternoon along hte shore there - it makes things even sloppier going when heading south. Are you going to be keeping her in the Manasquan River? (Good choice, nice inlet to work out of. Years ago I did some commercial fishing out Point Pleasant - used to pack out at Carlson's fish house, is it still there?) Good Luck!

[DiverDan]

Yes, couple good anchors and plenty of rode, remember we are divers so anchoring to the wrecks is what we do. I think in total I have 1200' of rode that I can work with (200' 5/8" twist, 400' 1/2' twist and a back up 600' 1/2" yellow plastic twisted only for an emergency)

Planning on heading out late moring (high tide is at 10:40) so plan on being inside the inlet by 1 pm at the latest.

Hopefully we won't ship too much water, but I have plenty of hand pumps available, and two crew on launch day to operate them if needed.

I will make sure to report in on Thursday on how it went.

d

[Donn]

Dan...don't forget a bottle of appropriate libation, with which to celebrate the end of the voyage.

[Wayne Jeffers]

Don't forget to install the transom plug! ;)

And remember to post pictures! :D

Wayne

[DiverDan]

LOL transom plug... there isn't one.

I will post some pictures on Thursday, before and after types.

d

[kpenokie]

INSURANCE!!

ken

[kpenokie]

INSURANCE!!

ken

[Alan D. Hyde]

The best insurance is a skipper who knows what he's doing, and pays attention.

Alan