Powerboat Underway Checklist

[Paradise1]

We're looking at a coastal cruise from Newport Beach, California, to San Diego, CA, in a powerboat. It's only about 80 miles (8 hours or so), but it will be our longest cruise since owning the boat and transitioning from sailboats to the powerboat. My question to you experienced powerboat cruisers is what items should I have on an underway checklist.

I continuously monitor systems when I'm cruising, which is standard, but my understanding is that underway once an hour or so I should regularly log and track engine temps, fuel flows, transmission pressures, etc. I'm also planning to go down into the engine room from time to time and check and log things down there, maybe stabilizer temps and pressures, coolant levels, etc.

I know things are boat specific, but does anyone have even a generic underway checklist or procedures they would be willing to share with a cruising rookie? A spreadsheet that I (and others on this list} could modify for use would be great. Thanks in advance!

[Ballsnall]

Originally Posted by Paradise1

I continuously monitor systems when I'm cruising, which is standard, but my understanding is that underway once an hour or so I should regularly log and track engine temps, fuel flows, transmission pressures, etc.

Why? You do your pre-start check and monitor your gauges from time to time, that's it. What possible benefit is there from writing down obsolete information every hour.

Do you do that when you drive your car? Do you stop every hour and pop the hood to record turbo temps?

Jezzes, stop believing everything you read on the web as being gospel and just enjoy the trip.

[Sailmonkey]

What size boat are we talking?

When underway on power vessels with walk in engine rooms I do a visual/sensory inspection roughly every 1-2 hours. I don’t log anything, just listen/smell/feel for anything that has changed.

[CaptTom]

Regular engine room checks are a great idea. They saved me from a huge problem once when an injector pump seal let go and I was leaking fuel into the engine pan. Caught it before it reached the bilge. I can only imagine the paperwhork and fines had I started discharging fuel through the bilge pumps.

First, look, listen and smell. You'll probably know right away if something is seriously wrong.

Then, while you're down there, think of one or two random things to check. Feel a hose. Shoot the temperature of a certain spot on each engine (or, the same spot as last time, if a single engine) Look behind something where you don't normally look. feel the alternator. Check a bilge.

An ER check should only take a few moments, and it gives you something to do on a long transit, helping keep you alert and focused.

[Paradise1]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

First, look, listen and smell. You'll probably know right away if something is seriously wrong.

Then, while you're down there, think of one or two random things to check. Feel a hose. Shoot the temperature of a certain spot on each engine (or, the same spot as last time, if a single engine) Look behind something where you don't normally look. feel the alternator. Check a bilge.

An ER check should only take a few moments, and it gives you something to do on a long transit, helping keep you alert and focused.

Thanks CaptTom. Sounds like you and Sailmonkey are saying similar things: Don't worry about logging anything, but use our senses to do an ER check from time to time, looking for anomalies. Beats passively sitting around for hours on end waiting for an idiot light or alarm to go off!

[Pizzazz]

I also started with frequent checks when I got a powerboat... taking temp readings, even checking the oil level, etc. Then you realize, there is not point. You monitor oil pressure and water temperature (make sure the gauges are true) and that is enough.

The only check I still do is gearbox temperature if running on one engine and idling the other. ZF says it is OK as long as the temp is under a certain limit, so I check that. But it is a specific check if running on one engine and I have never even gotten close to the limit.

Pizzazz

[Simi 60]

I do ER checks when on passage, usually just a bit of a look around to make sure there's no water or oil leaks or unusual smells or noise.

Two things I would recommend is a camera
We just use a cheap eBay reversing camera and screen but it does the job.

Once on passage I noticed the water pump pulley looking wobbly, further investigation showed imminent bearing failure, but we got her to the next anchorage and got the pump repaired and now carry a spare.


And an engine guard temp unit
1 probe on exhaust elbow to pick up increased temp if water flow is reduced
And on ours a probe on gearbox oil filter
https://engineguard.com.au/product/e...AaAiLLEALw_wcB


This saved us as well when exhaust elbow temp went off
Seems the Muppets who repaired the pump had stripped most of the threads holding the impeller backing plate on.
Glad we had the spare pump, 20 minutes and underway again.

[Ballsnall]

Originally Posted by Pizzazz

I also started with frequent checks when I got a powerboat... taking temp readings, even checking the oil level, etc. Then you realize, there is not point. You monitor oil pressure and water temperature (make sure the gauges are true) and that is enough.

I would have to agree, there is just no point doing frequent checks and logging useless stuff. Pre and post checks, monitor your gauges and a visual every few hours or so. With enough experience you will hear any change in engine operation that's not picked up on the gauges.

[bil56]

you're careful, and that's good! continue like that
and it's a cruise, you don't have to arrive precisely at point X at time Y, that's how you take risks...