Stay Prepared. Stay Safe. Sail Smarter.

Planning a sail involves more than charting a course ...it's about ensuring your vessel, crew, and gear are ready. That's why Sailors Planner™ makes it easy to create, track, and reuse checklists for every type of sail.

Whether you're prepping for a weekend cruise, a training session, or an overnight passage, smart checklists help you cover every detail... and stay focused on the journey ahead.

Step 1: Create Your Checklist

From your Sailors Planner dashboard, go to Checklists and click "Create New Checklist."

Give your checklist a name like:

• "Boat Inspection & Safety Briefing"
• "Overnight Sail Prep"
• "Day Sail Essentials"

Add items one by one, such as:

• Inspect life jackets
• Check engine oil
• Confirm VHF radio is functional
• Review float plan with crew
• Secure galley and loose gear/li>

You can reorder checklist items or group them by category... whatever fits your workflow.

Step 2: Link a Checklist to a Float Plan

Once your checklist is created, linking it to a float plan takes seconds.

• Open or create a new float plan
• Go to the "Checklists" section
• Click "Link Existing Checklist"
• Choose one or more checklists from your library/li>

This allows you to tailor your planning process without starting from scratch each time.

Step 3: Track Checklist Completion

As you complete prep tasks, simply mark each item as done right within the float plan. This can be done:

• On desktop or mobile
• As the skipper or by authorized crew
• In real time, before departure

Crew members with access can even check off items collaboratively, great for sharing responsibilities.

Step 4: Reuse Across Multiple Sails

One of the most powerful features of Sailors Planner checklists is reusability.

• Checklists stay in your library
• Easily attach them to future float plans
• Save time while ensuring consistency across every voyage/li>

You can also duplicate and modify checklists for different trip types ...like switching from a day sail to an offshore passage.

Bonus: Keep Your Crew Informed

When your checklist is linked to a float plan, your crew (if invited) can view the checklist and see which tasks are done ...helping everyone stay on the same page before departure.

Smarter Planning, One Check at a Time

Checklists may seem simple, but they're one of the most powerful safety tools aboard. Sailors Planner helps you build a reliable system you can use sail after sail ...saving time, reducing errors, and building confidence.

Wherever the wind takes you next, make your plan first.
Ready to build your first checklist? Log in now at SailorsPlanner.com

Thanks for reading this blog post. Set sail with confidence ...on us!

Use promo code createchecklists10 to create your first sailing plan free with Sailors Planner™.

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• Set your departure and arrival locations
• Break your trip into segments with waypoints for anchorages, fuel stops, or navigation hazards
• Calculate estimated travel time, nautical miles, and bearing for each leg

This turns your float plan into a true voyage itinerary, complete with timing and navigational detail.

Step 3: Pull Real-Time Marine Weather Forecasts

As you build your plan, Sailors Planner automatically pulls:

• 7-day marine weather forecasts
• Wind speed and direction
• Wave height, swell intervals, and tides from NOAA & NWS
• Closest issuing weather zones to your GPS coordinates

With forecast data tied directly to your itinerary, you can make smarter go/no-go decisions.

Step 4: Add and Reuse Checklists

From boat prep to safety drills and watch schedules, create or reuse detailed checklists:

• Pre-departure inspection
• Safety briefing
• Watch rotation
• Emergency procedures
• Anchor setup

Checklists can be marked complete as you prepare, keeping the whole crew aligned.

Step 5: Assign Supplies and Responsibilities

Sailors Planner makes it easy to track gear, provisions, and responsibilities. Staying organized on longer trips means knowing who's bringing what:

• Create a shared supplies list. Add food, water, safety gear, and tools to your Supplies List
• Assign items to individual crew members (e.g., Steve brings breakfast provisions)
• Track expenses and who's covering what
• Prevent overpacking and eliminate gaps in gear

This works great for provisioning meetings, overnight sails, and club races alike.

Step 6: Finalize & Share Your Float Plan

Once your itinerary, crew, and checklists are in place:

• Share your plan with your crew
• Email a secure copy to your emergency contact ashore
• Save it for reuse or reference later

In case of emergency, having a clear float plan on file can make all the difference.

Sail Farther, Smarter

Planning a multi-day voyage doesn't have to be overwhelming. With Sailors Planner™, everything from crew coordination to course plotting is handled in one intuitive system ...designed by sailors, for sailors.

Wherever the wind takes you next, make your plan first. Start your next overnight voyage at SailorsPlanner.com

Thanks for reading this blog post. Set sail with confidence ...on us!

Use promo code overnightsail10 to create your first sailing plan free with Sailors Planner™.

#SailorsPlanner #OvernightSailing #FloatPlan #MultiDayVoyage #SailingChecklists #MarineWeather #Waypoints #SmarterSailing #PlanYourSail #SafePassage