Commissioning a vessel for offshore passage-making…after a long period of research, you have committed yourself to a boat that will take you where you want to go. Now for the final step…taking delivery and preparing her for her first offshore passage. I will provide you with technical & practical know how for the extensive and important job of commissioning your boat. I can provide lists of tools, safety gear, galley and live aboard gear to make the vessel ready for cruising and passage making. I will assist & advise you as you select products, equipment and vendors. Building owner competence & confidence is our first priority. Owners are partners in this process.
Step 1: Inspect
- the soundness, appearance and function of all systems
- standing and running rigging
- interior & exterior finishes
- engine
- all finished floors and surfaces for fit and finish
- stainless steel fittings
- safety fittings, stanchions, pulpits
- sails & sail management systems.
Step 2: Test
- all electrical and mechanical systems: chart plotter, auto pilot, radar
- all communication systems & devices: AIS, VHF radios, sat phones, satellite comms
- anchor, windlass, sails, halyards, sheets, reefing gear, winches
- bilge, water & holding tank pumps, all gauges
- ensure compliance with US Federal requirements and relevant rally requirements
- fans, refrigeration, freezers, heads, stove, oven,
Step 3: Do
- one test sail where we run all of the systems at sea: raise & lower sails; deploy reefing systems
- make language changes in systems to meet owner preferences
- serve as the owners representative and oversee resolution of all ‘punchlist’ items with factory management & technicians & vendor representatives.
Coaching…Competent & confident owners have more fun sailing. I specialize in owner aboard deliveries and truly enjoy the chance to work with owners helping them become skilled sailors, knowledgable in the maintenance of their boat and developing the live aboard skills that makes life on a boat fun and interesting. With over 50,000 nautical miles and 8 ocean crossings, I teach from experience.
Offshore preparation
boat preparation
provisioning
weather routing
passage planning
crew selection
Offshore sailing
watch systems
logbook
repairs at sea
maintenance
safety at sea
storm avoidance
crew training & management
Sail training is generally conducted on the owner’s vessel and ideally during a one to two week cruise where a variety of sail plans are used, where wind & weather conditions are varied, where close quarters maneuvering, docking and anchoring can all be performed with support and supervision.
Claudia Dengler claudiadengler@me.com 200-207-1764