I don't have a to do list that prevents me from sailing. As long as the engines run, the
sails go up, and the
rigging is secure, I am ready to go.
There are always things that need fixing, but I don't make a list. My
boat talks to me and tells me what I need to do next.
When I arrive in a port, I climb the mast to check the
rigging to see if there are any broken strands of wire that need attention. If the rigging is secure, then I can leave the next day if need be. I have replaced pieces of rigging in
Fiji,
New Zealand,
Australia,
Turkey, and
Gibraltar. Rigging must be 100% for Exit Only to sail.
Do lists give me something to
work on in port but rarely stop me from sailing. On rare occasions I have waited in port for DHL to deliver a piece of
gear or a part that I install before heading
offshore.
A do list shouldn't be a don't go sailing list. It's simply a collection of jobs to do when you have time, or when the level of urgency demands immediate attention, and that doesn't happen very often.
The problem I have with to do lists is the underlying assumption that these jobs need to be done before I take off. I question that assumption. I can sail my
catamaran without all the bells and whistles and still enjoy the trip. I am not trying to create the perfect
catamaran or replicate life ashore by creating a floating condo with every convenience. So my do list is relatively small when I have one.
Usually I sail with things still on my do list, and so far nothing bad has happened.