07/18/2026
It often seems that problems occur offshore when you least expect them. That’s why a good boat still requires a lot of prep before a long passage. Preparation isn't a precaution, it's the foundation seamanship is built on.
Here are four things the Grand Banks team believes are worth doing before you leave the dock:
1. Carry an EPIRB. No exceptions.
A 406 MHz unit for the boat, plus a Personal Locator Beacon for every crew member. Keep the registrations current through NOAA. This shouldn’t be viewed as optional equipment.
2. Walk your boat. Every time.
Is the forward shower door lashed? Is the anchor lanyard holding? Any slow weep from an closed hatch? You can't fix what you don't see, and what you don't see offshore has a way of compounding issues.
3. Brief your crew before the lines come off.
Safety gear locations, watch schedules, electronics, the electrical panel, and what to do if something happens to you. Do it before every passage, even with a crew you've cruised with before. Life jackets stowed six months ago may not be in the same place after a cruising season.
4. Examine every thru-hull.
Keep a laminated schematic at the helm. Every crew member should know where they are before they need to know where they are.
Foul weather is not the problem. Unpreparedness is.
We'll share more from our full list of 25 foul weather cruising tips over the coming weeks. Know someone who could use this? Pass it along. And we’d love to hear your tips as well. Please post in the comments below!
