Nevermore SOPs

This is a list of concise, preferred operational practices for Nevermore. For detailed descriptions of systems, please see Systems Descriptions. For a complete list of detailed instructions of how to do things on the boat, see the Nevermore HowTos.

Rigging

• ensure that the boom is never low enough for the boom or sail cover to touch the dodger, otherwise you will damage the dodger
• when not in use, keep the main and spinnaker halyards attached to one of the stanchion bases, in board of the jib sheets

Engine

• from a cold start, glow for 10 seconds before starting the engine. ^{[discuss glowing]}
• from a cold start, let the engine idle for 5 minutes before revving it up.
• from a warm start (engine has been run in the past half hour), no need to glow
• the engine runs best (least wear, most efficiency) at around 2000 rpm.
• when starting the engine,
  • assure that engine-kill pull-knob is pushed down
  • be sure the transmission is in neutral
  • set throttle at 1/4 way forward
  • when engine starts, pull throttle aft quickly to not race engine
  • check for cooling water coming out with exhaust (exhaust pipe exits at transom)
  • set throttle so that engine idles smoothly, and ammeter shows battery charging,
    but not more than about 800 RPM until water temp starts to increase if engine is cold
  • don't crank engine more than 30 seconds if it doesn't start, without closing raw cooling water thru-hull; open it when motor starts
• let the engine idle at low speed and no load before stopping it, especially after running at high speed
  • after engine is fully stopped, push the stop pull down all the way

Head

• There are two thru-hull valves for the head. One is to let seawater in (yellow handle), the other is to let sewage out (white handle).
• In the closet on the port side of the boat is a Y valve with a blue handle and a white pump. The Y valve determines whether a pump-out goes to the deck or overboard. The white pump is to do a manual pumpout while at sea (beyond the 3 mile limit).
• To check the level of the holding tank, visually inspect it. The holding tank is located on the port side of the v berth. You can easily view the tank level by opening the port closet door - this exposes the end of the holding tank.
• When viewing the holding tank from above, do not attempt to open/remove the clear plastic inspection portal. ^{[discuss holding tank]}

Electrical

• Batteries:
  • NEVER have ALL batteries OFF when engine is running. Doing so will likely damage the alternator.
  • Generally, have only one battery ON at a time, especially when engine is not running.
  • It is ok to set upper battery switch to BOTH with engine running if both batteries are equally discharged.
• Guppy:
  • Use the guppy (big piece of zinc shaped like a fish at the end of a wire) when the boat is at anchor, moored, or tied up at a marina slip for more than a couple hours to help prevent electrolysis.
  • Clip the guppy to the backstay; the stancions and lifelines are not grounded.
  • When deploying the guppy, run the wires through the ship's wheel as a visual reminder to the next skipper to un-deploy the guppy before getting underway.

Freshwater

• If you must remove a large volume of water from the freshwater tanks, do it through an inspection portal using a hand pump.
• Do not run the freshwater pump when the tanks are empty or when the feed valves are closed. There is one feed valve for each tank, located beneath the center floorboard panel.
• Use the hand pump behind the sink for quick access to freshwater.

Galley

• When starting a burner on the stove, err on the side of not enough alcohol in the wick rather than too much.