Boat Manager Responsibilities
Introduction
The cruiser fleet of the Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) is comprised of various boats donated to the
DSC to support its mission. The DSC typically commits to use these boats for a period of at least
two years. During the two year holding period, the DSC delegates the stewardship of these boats to
its’ Cruising Program, whose mission is to provide educational and recreational sailing opportunities
on cruising-class* sailboats to its members.
Boat Managers
Boats of every size and class require a significant amount of care and maintenance, but the numerous
and complex systems found on larger, cruiser-class* sailboats make this task both time-consuming and
expensive. In contrast with the task of maintaining the DSC’s fleet of J/22s, Sonars, and Impulses,
each of the cruising boats in the DSC cruising fleet is unique in it’s’ manufacturer, engines,
rigging, and other equipment. Therefore, the task of managing the care and maintenance of these boats
becomes very burdensome.
To address this challenge, the DSC Cruising Program has created a role for a Boat Manager to be
assigned to each of the cruising boats. The primary purpose of each DSC Cruiser Boat Manager is to
preserve and enhance the market value of their assigned boat while supporting the educational and
recreational mission of the DSC’s Cruising Program.
Specific Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Cruising Program Administration and DSC Fleet Manager:
- Keep an accurate and up-to-date inventory of the boat and its’ equipment.
- Keep an accurate and up-to-date list of repairs and maintenance tasks to be performed on
the boat, and a log of all repair and maintenance tasks completed.
- Maintain a list of potential improvements and/or additions to the boat and/or equipment
that will enhance the safety, usability, and/or market value of the boat.
- Participate in periodic discussions of the cruising program.
- Manage the day-to-day maintenance of the boat, employing volunteers whenever feasible,
and inform the Cruising Program Administration of any Cruising Credits earned.
- Coordinate the purchasing of parts and equipment with the DSC Fleet Manager.
- Provide boat orientations to those DSC Cruising Skippers aspiring to gain an endorsement
for the Boat Manager’s assigned boat and inform the Cruising Program Administration of
the Skipper’s status.
- Provide leadership and participate in educational activities related to boat care and
maintenance such as work parties.
* The term “cruising-class” refers to a keelboat that is equipped with auxiliary power
(inboard or outboard engine) and has some provision for sleeping and cooking.