Here's One Epic Thing You Should Have as a First Mate.

You’re the first mate on your boat. It’s kind of nice because the captain’s responsible for everything, even though he (or she) really does need your help in so many ways: steering, landing, anchoring, provisioning, navigating, etc.

That list gets even longer if you’re out cruising for a week or three months.

In The First Mate’s Guide to Cruising the Inside Passage I explain that a good first mate:

• Learns her (or his) boat duties, maybe not perfectly at first, to a tee.

A good first mate is a good second opinion.

• Has some idea of the captain’s duties in case of an emergency.
• Can be a good second opinion when decisions are being made.

As first mate, in order to accomplish the above, create a Boat Notebook. It can be a binder or a file on your computer so it can be added to and amended when needed.
The main reason to have a Boat Notebook is to find and keep information that you might forget or lose.  (I also have a Where Things Are notebook where I keep provisioning information and recipes.)
My Boat Notebook has the following tabs:

• Calculations – a page with formulae for figuring out tides and currents (I know the electronics have this information, but you never know when you’ll be without).
• Communications – Scripts for talking on the ship’s radio, lists of radio channels
• Contacts – Lists of family, friends, craftsmen, marinas, etc.
• Customs – All pertinent information needed to get through customs, as well as customs numbers given at entry points.
• Emergency – All pertinent emergency information.
• Itineraries – list of friends’ itineraries for similar trips which show where good anchorages can be found.
• Log – Abbreviated log. I enter where we slept, where we woke up, and anything else I deem important. This is not the same as the captain’s log which has much more detail.
• Motors – Detailed step-by-step directions for starting up and shutting down the engines, generator, water maker, etc.
• Purchases – list of everything purchased for customs and for matching with credit card bill upon return
• Rules – Short list of rules-of-the-road and navigational information
• Supplies - List of specific information regarding supplies we need to refresh from time to time, like batteries numbers, fluids and ratios
• Weather – sheets where weather notations are taken starting at least two days before each departure to get a feel for weather trends.

You, of course, may have different tabs. What matters is that you know where to find information when you need it. Sometimes boating can get hectic, and the Boat Notebook is one way to ease the stress.

Also, I use the notebook method to keep our manuals organized and handy. I need several notebooks to get the deed done. Deck (windless, bbq, etc.), Running (radar, steering, auto pilot, etc.), Cabin (stove, fridge, plumbing, etc.), and Engines (including generator).

Have friends who might find this information useful? Please share this with them.

Here's the notebook's customs sheet that has all the information I'll need to get through customs (as of '18).

Here are my directions for flushing the water maker. It's not really my job, but there have been emergencies where I've had to handle this chore.

Here's a Mayday script sheet. I keep a copy on the flybridge too. Guests need to  know where this is kept.

Want to learn more about bettering your first-mate skills? Read The First Mate’s Guide to Cruising the Inside Passage. Available on Amazon, softback or electronic/Kindle.

"Along the way, both Gary and I read through The First Mate's Guide and believe you should add a sub-title: A Guide for All Boaters in the Northwest, British Colombia and Alaska. It is the most complete and comprehensive collection of information of any book on the subject. You covered topics we were sure we knew but didn't. Topics we forgot but we're unaware they had forgotten. And, most importantly, it makes you review all the procedures and plans necessary for a safe and comfortable cruise. It contains a wealth of important information and is a serious work of great breadth. Well done and many thanks, Bill Healy.”

The First Mate's Guide to Cruising the Inside Passage
Buy on Amazon ($11.99)   
Kinlde ($2.99)

Printables designed to make you feel safe and organized on extended boat cruises. 34 unique pages that mesh with The First-Mate’s Guide to Cruising the Inside Passage. A5, Half Page, Happy Planner Classic, and Letter. PDFs, so they’re scalable to the size you want. Provisioning, Underway, and Boat Status pages. Three covers in four sizes. Personalize with your boat’s name. Three fillable PDFs for customs, emergency info, and float plan. $12 value for $10 on Etsy