Let’s face it—we all wish we could do better. FUCK! If only I’d remembered to close my hatches, my MacBook would still be alive. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.
Keeping up with habits is hard. But over time (and through plenty of mistakes), I’ve developed a list of habits and routines that I at least try to follow. Some I’ve nailed, others I’m still working on—but hey, aren’t we all?
These habits came from experience (or lack of it), and hopefully, they’ll help you dodge your next shitshow. Let’s go.
1. Stop and Think
By far my favorite habit. This one’s crucial, so listen up: before I leave the boat, the dock, or do anything that involves some sort of transition, I stop and ask myself:
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?
It’s like a mini visualization exercise. Picture what you’re about to do and mentally walk through it.
Here’s how it plays out:
Leaving the dock? Did I fill the water tanks? Do I have the boat papers?
Heading to the marina shower? Do I have a towel? Should I close the hatches?
Taking the dinghy ashore? What do I need to bring back with me? Groceries? Tools? Fuel?
Stopping to think will save you from a world of pain—like a drenched laptop because you forgot to close the hatches or drying off with a dirty shirt after a shower.
This habit isn’t just for boating; it’s a life hack too. (Example: I’m visiting Mom—did I remember to bring back the containers she keeps nagging me about? 🥲)
2. Walk Around the Boat Before Bed
This one’s like a treasure hunt for potential shitshows. Every night, I do a quick walkaround before bed, and this is usually what I look out for:
Clothes flapping in the wind, ready to fly off the lifelines.
Trash that’s about to tumble overboard.
Checking all is good with the anchor, dock, or mooring lines.
The engine left in the "on" position, quietly draining the battery.
I also check for anything that might wake me up later, like banging halyards or a traveler out of place. Sometimes I’ll open or close the transom, depending on the conditions.
It’s a simple habit that saves me from annoying surprises—and helps me sleep a little better knowing everything’s in order.
3. I Never Leave the Stove Unattended
If the stove is on, I’m near it. No exceptions. It’s way too easy to forget you’ve got something cooking when things get busy upstairs. If I need to step away, I turn it off, no matter how quick I think I’ll be.
4. Kill All Unessential Power Switches Before Leaving the Boat
This is a habit I take seriously after a close call. Once, a student left a lithium battery charger plugged in while we were off the boat. When we got back, it was burned—not on fire, thankfully, but way too close for comfort.
I kill all unessential power switches before leaving the boat. I only leave essentials on, like the fridge or bilge pump, but I turn off things like water pumps, 12V outlets, and anything else that might cause a major shitshow while I’m away.
5. Check for Clear Lines Before Engaging the Engine or Bow Thruster
Prop warps are a shitshow. Always check the water around the prop and bow thruster before engaging to avoid any nasty surprises.
6. Pre-Plan and Brief Your Crew
Always, before an approach, let the crew know what they need to do. Go over the plan with them, explain visually what will happen, and give clear, simple instructions for their role. Take wind and current into consideration, and use that moment of pre-planning to mentally map out the approach for yourself too. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping things smooth and stress-free.
7. Don’t Half-Ass It
If I catch myself saying, “Ah, it’s probably fine,” I know I need to stop and reassess.
Is the anchor really holding, or should I re-drop it?
Do I need another line, or am I just being lazy?
Whenever I half-ass it, that’s when the Mr shitshow arrives.
8. Finish the Job Before Relaxing
After a long day of sailing, it’s tempting to sit down and crack a beer—but I always make sure the boat is sorted first. I do everything necessary: coil the lines, set up the tent if it’s sunny, secure the halyards, put the snubber on, and make sure everything is shipshape for the night. It only takes a few extra minutes, annnddd thannnnn I chill the fuck out.
9. Put Tools Back Where They Belong
Use it, return it. Every. Single. Time. I’ve lost count of how many tools I’ve misplaced because I didn’t put them back immediately. Otherwise, they somehow walk around the boat and disappear into the deep, deep, dark void of the bilges. Trust me, it’s a habit worth sticking to.
10. Check the Engine Locker
This is something I wish I’d remember to do more often. It’s not a full-on engine check—no oil levels or anything like that—but just a quick look around. I glance at the floor for leaks, check the strainer, and take a general look at the engine's health. It doesn’t take more than 20 seconds and can save you a ton of trouble later.
11. Keep Electronics Away from Open Hatches
This one’s sneaky because it’s not always obvious. Unexpected rain, a neighbor who’s not too careful with their hose can end up drenching your electronics if they’re under an open hatch.
I make it a habit to keep laptops, phones, and other gear far from hatches unless I’m actively using them. A little precaution can save you a lot of heartbreak—and money—later (I love my MacBooks but fuck they are expensive).
12. Practice Emergency Drills
With new crew, practicing emergency drills is a must—don’t assume they know what to do. They don’t need to know where everything is, but they absolutely need to know where the crucial safety items are, like the fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and other emergency gear. This way, when you give them a rushed command, they’ll have a better understanding of what to grab and where to find it.
Even with experienced crew, it’s good to revisit and riff on these procedures to keep them sharp. And of course, make sure you are confident in the drills too. When everyone’s prepared, instincts take over, and things run smoothly even when the unexpected happens.
13. Scroll windy, not social media
Before bed, instead of doom-scrolling, I check Windy or other weather apps. Just as a habit to remember to check weather more often.
14. Give the Marineros a cold one.
Tip the marineros or fuel guys who help with your lines with a cold soda or beer. It always puts a smile on their face, costs less than money, keeps them hydrated in the sun, and that good deed might come back to help you later!
15. Morning Routines
Ok, ok—I had to sneak this one in because this is a life changer for me. Going out to the sun, playing with the environment I have, taking my morning slow if I can by doing some breathwork, a small swim, hike, whatever. Not touching my phone and not eating anything for about 60-90 minutes until my boat is awake. It’s the habit that changed my life—and it prevents the worst kind of shitshows, the inner shitshows.
I hope I explained how important it is to develop your habits and routines. Maybe I even planted a seed here with this post—something that feels worth doing. This list is ongoing and will never stop evolving. Please share your habits and tricks in the comments—let’s learn from each other!
See ya on the water.
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