01

Plan the return

• Start back earlier than feels necessary.
• Check the wind and traffic for the approach, not for where you are now.
• In past docks 1, 2 and 3, then a port turn into the fairway between 4 and 5, and port again into the slip.
• The wind is usually on the port bow and sets her to starboard. Come in along the starboard side of the finger and tie there first. Do not fight it.
• Know where you can abort to: open water with room to circle.

02

Start and prove the engine

• Do this while you still have sails up and sea room.
• Gearbox NEUTRAL, the red SHUTOFF control pushed fully in, throttle about two-thirds open.
• Preheat 20–30 seconds when cold. Crank no more than 20 seconds, then rest 30.
• Once she fires, release START and bring the throttle back to a smooth idle.
• Check the oil-pressure warning clears, cooling water is flowing, and no alarm sounds.
• Let her run and settle before you rely on her.
• Not proven? Stay under sail in open water and work the problem. Do not commit to the marina.

03

Take the sails down

• Move to clear water with room to leeward. Settle on a close reach, starboard tack for choice.
• Furl the headsail: haul the port-side furling line while keeping tension on the sheet, so it rolls tight. Secure both.
• Sheet the main in hard to centre the boom. Mind heads.
• Take up the topping lift to carry the boom's weight. Ease the vang.
• Now head into wind. Lower the main under control; the Dutchman flakes it. Tie it off.
• Secure every halyard. Confirm no line is over the side or near the propeller.

04

Ready the deck

• Fenders out both sides.
• The berth lines are waiting on the dock — loops to go over her cleats, bow first.
• Stow anything loose, on deck and below, before close manoeuvring starts.
• Boat hook to hand.

05

Brief the docking

• Say it aloud: which line goes on first, who takes it, where they stand.
• Crew handle lines, not the boat. No hands or feet between hull and dock.
• Nobody jumps. Nobody has to catch anything.
• If it goes wrong we go round again. Say so before you start.
• PFDs stay on until she is tied up.

06

Enter and dock

• Test ahead and astern response once more before committing to the fairway.
• Approach at the slowest speed that still steers. Short bursts of power, back to neutral between; do not drive her in.
• Bow in. Clear the dock box on the starboard corner as you enter — the wind is setting you onto it.
• Once past it, let her settle onto the starboard finger. Starboard bow line on first, then stern, then the port side.
• Settle her in the berth. Check she sits fair and nothing is chafing.

01

Shut down the engine

• Idle in neutral for a minute after the last manoeuvre.
• Pull the red SHUTOFF control until she is fully stopped.
• Then turn the ignition OFF. Record the engine hours.
• Close the engine raw-water seacock.
• Look in the engine bay: no new leaks, pan dry, nothing hot that should not be.

02

Reconnect shore power

• ELCI main OFF before you touch the cord — the upstream one.
• Inspect the pigtail and inlet: clean, dry, undamaged, no discolouring.
• Connect at the dock inside the rain shield. Check the drip loops hang below the joint.
• ELCI main ON, then the panel main. Check the reverse-polarity light is dark. Confirm the charger is running.

03

Sails and deck

• Fit the sail cover.
• Tension halyards away from the mast so they do not slap all week.
• Centre and secure the wheel.
• Stow winch handles, boat hook and anything that can blow away.
• Dock lines and fenders set for the weather you are leaving her in.

04

Below decks

• Turn off the fresh-water pump, then close every seacock. Only the A/C intake stays open, and only if the A/C is being left running.
• Turn off the propane at the panel — it is an electric valve, not a tap on the bottle.
• Remove all food and rubbish. Nothing that will smell or attract anything.
• Shut and latch every hatch, port and locker. Nothing left ajar.

05

Electrical

• Turn off instruments, VHF, lights and the air conditioning at the panel.
• Battery switch to OFF. That is the rule: ON aboard, OFF when we leave.
• The bilge pump and the monitoring are wired ahead of the switch and stay live. Confirm the bilge is on AUTO.

06

Last look

• Lock the companionway.
• Update the log: hours, fuel, weather, and anything that wants attention next time.
• Walk back down the dock and turn round. Boat level, lines fair, fenders right, cord safe, nothing unusual.