INVESTIGATOR 563

I wrote this sometime back for myself before I bought my I563 where it was a useful aide-memoire. I certainly don't claim that it is perfect. It was originally in an Excel Spreadsheet so I hope it translates OK to here:

LAND Propulsion engine fuel tank and lines
LAND Propulsion engine compression
LAND Propulsion engine raising-lowering
LAND Propulsion engine steering by motor

LAND Propulsion sails (best) mainsail
LAND Propulsion sails (best) storm jib
LAND Propulsion sails (best) working jib
LAND Propulsion sails (best) genoa
LAND Propulsion sails (best) spinnaker

LAND Steering rudder condition
LAND Steering rudder raising lowering
LAND Steering rudder tiller
LAND Steering rudder tiller extension
LAND Steering rudder removing

SEA Steering keel operation

LAND Steering keel damage
LAND Steering keel rust

LAND Rigging standing mast
LAND Rigging standing mast step
LAND Rigging standing spreaders
LAND Rigging standing swage fittings
LAND Rigging standing rivets
LAND Rigging standing forestay connection
LAND Rigging standing forestay
LAND Rigging standing sidestays
LAND Rigging standing backstay
LAND Rigging standing turnbuckles
LAND Rigging standing chainplates

LAND Rigging halyards jib
LAND Rigging halyards mainsail
LAND Rigging halyards spinnaker

LAND Rigging sheets jib
LAND Rigging sheets mainsail
LAND Rigging sheets spinnaker

LAND Rigging other controls cunningham
LAND Rigging other controls vang
LAND Rigging other controls ouhaul
LAND Rigging other controls reefing
LAND Rigging other controls furling

LAND Deck Hardware hatches front hatch
LAND Deck Hardware hatches companionway
LAND Deck Hardware hatches pop top

LAND Deck Hardware lockers cockpit
LAND Deck Hardware lockers chain and anchor

LAND Deck Hardware winches halyard winches
LAND Deck Hardware winches sheeting winches
LAND Deck Hardware winches horncleats
LAND Deck Hardware winches jammer cleats
LAND Deck Hardware winches snail cam cleats

LAND Deck Hardware other controls fairleads
LAND Deck Hardware other controls traveller
LAND Deck Hardware other controls self-tacking

LAND Hull fibreglass impact spider cracks (OK)
LAND Hull fibreglass impact starring (impact)
LAND Hull fibreglass impact parallel (stress)

LAND Hull general paint condition
LAND Hull general fouling
LAND Hull general de-laminated
LAND Hull general soft spots

LAND Deck soft spots
LAND Deck springy spot
LAND Deck deck surface
LAND Deck hull-deck interface

SEA Propulsion engine starting
SEA Propulsion engine forward
SEA Propulsion engine reverse
SEA Propulsion engine accelerator
SEA Propulsion engine Wide Open Throttle
SEA Propulsion engine idle

SEA Electrical battery charged
SEA Electrical battery navigation lights
SEA Electrical battery accessories work
SEA Electrical battery radios

LAND Inside bilge
LAND Inside floor
LAND Inside lockers
LAND Inside Side panels
LAND Inside headlining
LAND Inside upholstery
LAND Inside smells
LAND Inside galley stove
LAND Inside galley sink
LAND Inside bunks
LAND Inside mould
LAND Inside bulkheads
LAND Inside keel casing

LAND Other stuff boat registration
LAND Other stuff boat insurance
LAND Other stuff where used
LAND Other stuff when used
LAND Other stuff modifications
LAND Other stuff crash damage
LAND Other stuff crash damage
LAND Other stuff staining excess sealant
LAND Other stuff storage

LAND Safety equipment bilge pump
LAND Safety equipment baling bucket
LAND Safety equipment pyrotechnics
LAND Safety equipment life jackets
LAND Safety equipment torch
LAND Safety equipment anchor
LAND Safety equipment ground tackle
LAND Safety equipment anchor line
LAND Safety equipment handrails
LAND Safety equipment staunchions
LAND Safety equipment fenders

LAND preparing to launch standing the mast
LAND preparing to launch fitting the boom
LAND preparing to launch bending on the mainsail
LAND preparing to launch putting in a reef
LAND preparing to launch bending on the foresail
LAND preparing to launch attaching lines
LAND preparing to launch attaching fenders

SEA preparing to launch launching the boat

SEA preparing to depart fill water ballast
SEA preparing to depart rudder down
SEA preparing to depart motor down
SEA preparing to depart start motor
SEA preparing to depart keel down
SEA preparing to depart cast off

SEA preparing to sail forward and reverse gear
SEA preparing to sail throttle
SEA preparing to sail steer boat
SEA preparing to sail head to wind
SEA preparing to sail raise main

SEA sailing lay-off and sheet on
SEA sailing switch off and raise motor
SEA sailing close reaching
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing tacking
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing reaching
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing gybing
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing sheet-on
SEA sailing attempt heave to
SEA sailing raise foresail
SEA sailing close reaching
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing tacking
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing reaching
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing gybing
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing attempt heave to

SEA preparing to dock drop motor and start engine
SEA preparing to dock come head to wind
SEA preparing to dock drop head sail
SEA preparing to dock drop mainsail
SEA preparing to dock prepare bow and stern lines
SEA preparing to dock forward and reverse gear
SEA preparing to dock throttle

SEA preparing to retrieve tie up along side

SEA preparing for trailering sails off
SEA preparing for trailering boom off
SEA preparing for trailering rudder up
SEA preparing for trailering keel raised

SEA retrieving place boat over trailer
SEA retrieving actuate winch

LAND retrieving retrieve boat
LAND retrieving empty ballast

LAND preparing for trailering mast down
LAND preparing for trailering mast secured for travel
LAND preparing for trailering engine secured
LAND preparing for trailering rudder secured

LAND trailer registration
LAND trailer tie down points
LAND trailer springs and axles
LAND trailer bearings
LAND trailer grease splatter
LAND trailer rotation and wobble
LAND trailer brakes
LAND trailer lights
LAND trailer winch
LAND trailer winch wire
LAND trailer winch post
LAND trailer tyres
LAND trailer mudguards
LAND trailer rollers

Not for buying, but this site also has a few checklist that may be of interest to some posters. Interesting stuff on foul weather gear.

Also, the HOW TO articles in the menu are a good read.

http://www.sailingmates.com/sailing-checklists/

I think checklists are a good thing, particularly as I get older. My other defence against forgetting to take things is to have everything duplicated and permanently packed.

If I trailered all the time I think I would further investigate the use of aircraft style orange "remove before flight" tags on the keel pull etc. As it is, I'm going to to make one for the clip I use to hold the boom on the backstay when I rig. I get enthused occasionally and forget to release it. Bad enough in light winds . would not want to do it in strong winds. Hopefully it will remind me to slack the topping lift as well. Fortunately bungs don't matter on a 563. What is the worst thing posters forgot to do

Thanks Ossie,that’s helpful. It sounds like inspecting the retractable keel would be difficult but important as part of a pre purchase inspection, given that there is a lot of work restoring /replacing if corrosion and slop in the bolt is present. Any advice on this matter?
Regarding the bigger issue of which model of boat to purchase. I’m looking for one that ideally I can beach, that is light to tow able to be rigged and sailed single handed , with good headroom in cabin and offer basic amenities to live on board simply for up to a week at a time in protected waterways,but I also dream of the Whitsundays.
My shortlist iincludes the Timpenny 670 , Sonata 6.3 , Cole 19. The investigator fails on the ease of beaching but appears to have significant stability in varied conditions due to the stub keel construction of the hull, compared to the other round hull yachts. Is this correct?
Cheers Ross

If you can Ross, I think it’s not unreasonable to pressure sellers into a test sail. It’s the only real way to test the functionality of the swing keel. Even if that’s all you do after launch. But of course you get to give the outboard run as well and get the owner to give you a mast raising demo. Unscrew the 4 or 6 screws in the floor inspection cover and check for leaks around the bolt. No leaks and no water in the cavity and you’re probably ok. There can be leaks into the casing as Peter had but even the owner maybe unaware of such so sometimes you have to take a punt. If the general condition of the long keel base that sits on the rollers is ok then you are probably safe.

You can shine a torch up into the swing centre board casing from underneath and use a timber skewer or similar object to check for an expanded rusted cb. My boat was 20 years old when I bought it and the cb was still pristine as it had had little use and kept undercover for 10 years. Generally I’d say if the rest of the boat has bern well maintained the bits will be similar.

You are right about the 563 winning overall on stability. They are as described by Ian B who started this forum a” trailerable yacht” more so than a “trailer sailer” with 49% ballast ratio. They always feel safe, not that you couldn’t knock one down but in the right conditions with the wrong technique that can apply to any sailboat.

Here is my April 2025 pre-start cruising checklist. (Sorry if this is in the wrong thread, mods please move to another if u like)

Have tried to keep it concise, (some items just like headings of chapters in a book)

Have found out (often the hard way) that if anything is forgotten , then the trips safety, comfort or success can be in jeopardy.

eg forgot the mozzie net once..!

The list is on "Samsung notes", so it can be checked off or edited. Each boat has different environments, usage and crew, so some things on here could be removed, or other things added depending on boating situation.

Andrew,

thanks mate. love checklists but have always tried to do it in my head when setting up. All good till till motoring out, look up and again haven't fitted the windex.

I'll go through your list and slipstream it with mine. And hopefully next time I will use it...

On the old F 27 Fokker Friendships the flight crew had a flip chart list for take off and landing. About the size of a teledex mounted in the centre on the dash/console.

Those old pre-flight check-boards were great, analogue tech always works well.

could be 3 checklists..?

1) Pre-purchase (test sail)
2) Maintenance (engineering)
3) Pre-sail