Wow, great responses everyone!
I should have added more information to the backstory. Especially that this will be a day trip.
Tell someone on land where we're going, what route we'll take, and how long we'll be gone.
You remember that you told your buddy the details of the plan yesterday.
Your date knows to meet you at the island park.
>look at boat
You look at the boat from your current location on the aft deck. You see:
The boat is a 30 foot Catalina in a somewhat neglected condition.
The boat is secured to the wooden dock with rope.
There are four bumpers protecting the hull from scraping the dock, two on the starboard side, two to port.
There is a mainsail and a jib attached to the mast.
Toward the stern, there is a cheap outboard motor attached to the transom.
There is a wheel here.
There are two seats here, which double as the lids of storage lockers.
There is a hatch that goes to the berth.
Above you a bimini top provides shade.
The bimini top has ropes and clips to clip life jackets to.
Exits: The marina dock, berth, foredeck.
Check the supplies: food, fuel, clean water, etc.
There is adequate clean water onboard.
There is no food on the boat, but you won't be needing any.
There will be food at the park. Your date is bringing a picnic lunch. But that reminds you - are you forgetting something? Maybe you made a checklist.
You think fuel might be in the storage lockers.
You unlatch the lids of the storage lockers and open them.
You find rope, an anchor, an old life jacket, propane bottles for a grill, engine fuel, engine oil, and deck cleaning equipment.
check to make sure we have a fishing rod so we can fish for food
You daydream about fishing for big, tasty fish off the shore of a sunny tropical island. A duck in the marina quacks as it swims by, snapping you back to reality. Someday...
Make sure everything is stowed properly.
You close and latch the storage lockers.
The boards to the berth are already in place and closed.
Nothing is loose on deck.
Anything important we forgot?
You should probably check your inventory. Perhaps you wrote down a list.
If not, or if it's a very short trip, then cast off and set sail!
The trip shouldn't take more than a couple hours.
You consider casting off right now...
Otherwise, let's think a bit about what else we should do before we go.
You think about what to do before departure.
You remember making a checklist. Where could it be?
hint
check your inventory.
Try to remember the steps needed to get to the park.
Deck