Now that I own a new-to-me boat, I'm feeling a little uneasy about dropping her in the water and sailing er out on the Lake 80 to 90 miles home.

I'm going to be making trips up to Manitowoc to get her in order, but really want to make each trip count. I've been gathering some info on through hulls - drains, intakes etc.. to make sure she doesn't take on water (or sink) when I splash. My experience with sailboats thus far has been limited to smaller boats, and boats with owners who know what they are doing.

What things, specifically, would you guys recommend I check out before she goes in the water?

We are in the same boat so to speak. Going through the process for the first time also. It gets nerve racking when I start to over think it.

Here is my list which starts out like yours; Keep the water out (thru-hulls etc), get the water out if it gets in (pumps, manual and auto), make her stay (anchors, lines, cleats), make her go (engine then sail), communicate. Of coarse make her safe (and legal) encompasses all those and more.

My big question per thru-hulls is how far do I go? I have some that have good ball valves and fittings that I believe to be safe. A couple have the old boiler drains and will be replaced of coarse. But do I spend the money on sea cocks or just put ball valves on the thru-hulls where needed? Should I replace everything w/ proper seacocks? Where is the line between safe and more expense than necessary?

Here is a how to link that I like;



www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects

I've become so anal/fearful that I'm planning to fiberglass over some of the holes in my boat--since I can't discharge the head overboard, I should get away with just the intake.

I won't go there this year, but how soon can I count on the GPS for speed and distance, and fiberglass over the impeller through hull?

Sink drains to bilge, so:

If I plug both of these, I have only one through hull. With a composting head, I could eliminate all the holes.

Worry for nothing?

I think if your seacocks are in good working order and you have bungs just in case, you are fine. I think knowing where they are and having a plan to plug them should the mechanism fail is all you need.

I "think" the B29 has no more than 4 through hulls including the drains. I'm going to go on an expedition when I get up to the boat to find them, make sure I can access them easily, try out the seacocks and size them for bungs.

I'm concerned with getting to know all of the various connections these inlets have. I remember reading someone that left a water inlet open for the engine and the boat sank. I'm a rookie and don't want to show up at the mooring to see half a mast sticking out of the water.