Susan, Sequoia, and Todd go sailing

Our big debate this year was what to do about our deep-cycle lead acid batteries, which are brand new and cost us about $650. (Last year, one of our six-year-old batteries was dead after being disconnected for 8 months in the heat.) We entertained a variety of options:

• disconnect them
• leave them connected to one of our big solar panels, turned at an angle; maybe look for someone to check the water
• leave them connected to a little solar panel
• try to find cooler storage off the boat in San Carlos somewhere
• lug them back to CA where we could keep them cool and charged

We finally decided to go with the little solar panel option. We bought a solar battery maintainer from the folks on Runaway. Todd coated the edge of the panel with silicone sealant to try to weather-proof it. Lets hope it works!

Here are our “To Do” lists from our 2009 haulout:

Before Haul

• schedule haulout
• get car out of storage and restart car insurance
• remove dodger
• remove outside speakers
• aluminum foil over winches and blocks (outside)
• aluminum foil over ports and hatches (inside)
• survey parts and inventory spares, making list for re-supply next season
• measurements for replacements: oven solenoid, stern tube (for dripless packing), windlass, lifelines
• clean out galley and foodstuffs
• clean sink and flush lines with fresh water
• change engine oil and transmission fluid
• dinghy: scrub clean, deflate, and cover
• laundry: wash all sheets, towels, etc.
• clean head
• cover dorades with bug netting (instead of replacing with caps)
• take down and bag sails: main, jib, stay
• replace halyards with messengers
• rinse dive gear with fresh water
• rinse and store kayak
• polish stainless
• clean and store BBQ
• take down HAM antenna
• mop floors
• empty fresh water tanks
• start packing

Things to Pack

• clothes
• shoes
• DVDs
• electronics
• books
• games
• first aid kit and temperature-sensitive medications (including items in ditch bag)
• toiletries
• passports
• boat documents
• computers, printer, scanner
• jewelry
• EPIRB (replace battery or get a new one?)

After Haul

• wash down boat
• engine: flush with fresh water, remove impeller, remove belts
• outboard: run with fresh water, run with salt remover, fog
• flush fridge with fresh water
• flush head with fresh water
• close all thru-hulls except cockpit drains
• stuff 2 cockpit drain thru-hulls with Scotch-Brite pads, leave one free (hedging our bets against insects and mud)
• cover other thru-hulls with duct-tape
• close propane tanks
• treat water tanks with bleach
• add mineral oil to head
• clean out fridge and rinse with bleach solution
• disconnect antenna leads
• equalize batteries and add water
• remove and store big solar panels
• set-up little solar panel
• disconnect batteries from all but little panel
• anchor chain: untwist, end-for-end, replace markers, rinse
• remove and pack LED bulbs
• take batteries out of electronics that will remain on boat (bilge alarm, stereo remote, clocks, smoke alarm)
• put out roach poison (boric acid)
• put out 5-gallon buckets with water and a bit of bleach (to protect wood inside)
• empty trash
• tarp boat
• pack the car
• pay yard bill