I knew that I had an article adjunct to the list and found it:
The Ultimate List Raises Delivery Trips To New Level
So you have purchased the boat of your dreams and now you have to get it home. Reality sets in! Or, you are going to assist a friend to do the same. I have done both often, and as a result, came up with the following checklist some years ago. As an aside, I tell my friends that I’ll work for food on boat deliveries!
Remember this exercise is a first impression of the boat, you know little if anything about its quirks and idiosyncrasies. There is but one way to learn the specifics of a used boat and that is to have a long talk with the owner, preferably on board, with a note pad in hand. In addition I ALWAYS insist on spending one night on the boat (at the dock) after the purchase agreement is signed and BEFORE the survey and sea trial. After all you have put up a substantial deposit and you are not going anywhere so the owner should not object. If so, you still have an opportunity to walk away from the deal. Spending the night aboard will give you ample time to get the “feel” of the boat and to run every system. And, I mean everything including the genset with all systems turned on for hours and not just 20 minutes or so. You get the picture. In fact, an engine surveyor had missed a bad bearing in a diesel generator and I discovered it as a result of my running the genset over night.
During this time on board you are not sipping Mint Juleps or hot toddies but are diligently mapping the: Fuel system including all lines, valves, tanks and manifold.
Fuel filters and what it takes to change them. (You will change
them before you leave).
Water system including tanks, valves, pump, strainers, input
valves, etc.
Sewer system, tanks pumps, head and how all of it works.
The bottom line is that you are putting the boat and yourself through the paces and “ communing” with each other!!!!!
Note please, that "checking" is not sufficient, you must be familiar with all systems so that you are not trying to figure it out on a dark and stormy night! Which brings up another caveat: do not plan to run at night on a delivery trip unless an offshore passage is required and then every item in this list is checked twice and much more added. This list is in no way comprehensive, but is a starting point for the type boat and the exigencies of the contemplated voyage.
I have had more than one or two exclaim that there is a lot of “stuff” on this list. Yes, that is true but what do you want to be without in the middle of_________, fill in the blank, and it is a dark and stormy night?