In order that during cruising safety of the people and the vessel would be on as high level as possible, it is desirable that when taking over the vessel you pay attention to the following:

Outward appearance

• * whether there are any visible damages, such as scratches or bumps on the body, the sides and on the deck
• * check whether the fender pillars are bent or if their bases are complete
• * check the side and bow fenders
• * check the tightness of the fenders cables
• * check the anchors and their chains and pay special attention whether the other end of the chain is connected to the anchor's store. Write down the length of the anchor's chain; test the anchor winches; get informed whether there is a spare anchor and what is its location
• * if you are renting a dinghy, check it out and pay special attention whether the outboard engine is properly functioning; check its rows too

Deck equipment

• * test the winches in a way that you spin each one of them by hand. The winches must spin smoothly. Write down how many winch handles you received!
• * check the tackles around the mast, the side sliders for the roller genoa and the slider for the main sails
• * check the stoppers
• * stand by the mast and look up to the mast and the gaffs; afterwards pay attention whether the mast is straight and whether the mast gaffs are vertical in relation with the mast
• * check whether the sail cables are too loose
• * for the sake of vessel's passing under bridges, get to know what is the height of the mast from sea level
• * raise up the sails and check whether they are damaged or not

Stern stores

• * count the mooring ropes and estimate whether you have enough of them
• * count the additional fenders and write them down
• * check the boat hook
• * check whether you have a plastic backet for water
• * check the cleaning equipment of the boat
• * check whether there is a water hose and if the pan lang="en-us"> co
• * do not forget the AC cable for connecting to the electricity network, in case that the vessel has the possibility of charging batteries
• * check the bilge pumps

Engine and batteries

• * when it comes to the engine, sure enough you should check the technical instructions of the boat in its checkout book and if you have any unclearness, ask for clarification or for a demonstration. Independently of the technical instructions, you should take the following action at the very spot:
• * turn the engine's key in so that you can verify whether the engine starts at once and easily
• * test the gas handle (onwards and backwards). It has to go smoothly.
• * ask to see the engine; get informed about the process of air exhaustion (scavenging), the change of the cooling impeller, the existence of decompression vents, and what is the location of the extra oil
• * check whether the gas tank is full, as it should be, according to the contract. We remind you that it is highly recommendable to avoid situations when you gas tank's level will fall bellow 1/3 of its capacity
• * learn the location of the batteries, what is their capacity and how to use them

Safety equipment

• * check whether there is a self-extracting life-craft and what its latest date of its inspection
• * is there a distress flares box; you should have at least six red flares
• * learn the location of the fire extinguisher and check what the latest date of its inspection is. It should be written out on it.
• * whether the life belts respond to the number of the crew. If you bring small children with you, ask for junior life jackets and a floating light
• * in case that you have rented the vessel, check whether there are safety belts with hooks on the deck that make working in bad weather conditions secure
• * check whether the boat has a special chair, i.e., a belt for working on the mast

Instruments

• * turn on all navigation instruments so that you can check their correctness; pay special attention to the compass, the radar, the GPS, the plotter and to the VHF radio
• * turn on and check all navigation lights; check the lights for sailing at night and in bad weather conditions (red, green and white signal lights)
• * get informed about the whereabouts of all electric devices and check whether every fuse has a description
• * check whether there is a cigarette-plug that, among the other purposes, it serves for charging cell phones and as a source of electricity for all other electric units
• * check whether you have at your disposal a set of nautical maps and a drawing set for defining your position on the map (triangle, dividers, pencil and eraser)
• * if the radio-cassette player comes with the boat, check whether it works
• * learn which radio stations broadcast the weather-forecast and at what time
• * turn on all navigation equipment and check whether they are properly working

Inward appearance

• * check if there are any visible damages of the furniture of the equipment found inside the boat
• * learn where is the water reservoir and how to fill it up
• * check the correctness of the gas cooker, learn how to turn it on and where is the gas bottle
• * check the soundness of the refrigerator
• * check the sanitary nodes and the shower cabin
• * check the sleeping cabins and see if there are enough sheets and blankets for each crew member
• * check if there are enough kitchen dishes and cutlery; pay special attention to the can and bottler opener(s)
• * test the inside illumination
• * check the windows and the roof openings, especially profoundly study how they are opened and closed and if the hatches function well. Pay special attention to closing the cabin doors and the different closets so that any banging during sailing, or in bad weather conditions, could be avoided.