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Getting Started

A practical overview for new crew. Read this before your first sail on Whistler.

The Boat at a Glance

Whistler is a Hanse 460 — a modern performance cruiser with a simple, single-handed-friendly layout. The cockpit has two helm stations, twin wheels, and electric winches, making it manageable with a small crew.

Teak decks cover the side decks, coach roof, cockpit, and bathing platform. They look beautiful but get slippery when wet — wear non-slip shoes on deck.

Draft is 2.4 m (rudder tip). Always verify quay depth before mooring stern-to.

Before You Leave the Berth

  1. Check engine oil level (dipstick in engine bay — lift floor panel in saloon)
  2. Check bilge is dry (electric bilge pump is auto, but visually confirm)
  3. Shore power off — unplug and stow the cord before leaving
  4. Engine on — push-button start, wait for Yanmar display to fully power up first
  5. Check stern thruster and bow thruster are working — brief test in the berth
  6. Fenders and lines stowed, not dragging

Engine

Yanmar diesel ~57 hp, saildrive. Electronic digital throttle at both helm stations.
Max RPM 2,300
Cruise ~1,800–2,000 rpm (5–6 kn under power)
Fuel reserve Never go below 30 L

Starting: Power on, wait for instrument panel to boot, then press start. Do not crank for more than 10 seconds — if it doesn't start, investigate before trying again.

Bow thruster: Use in short 6-second bursts only. Continuous use overheats and trips the thruster. Let it cool 30+ seconds between bursts.

  • Chartplotter: B&G Zeus3S at each helm — charts, AIS targets, depth overlay
  • Instruments: Triton2 displays show speed, depth, wind angle/speed
  • Autopilot: Engage via Triton2 or Zeus3S. Always station a watch when autopilot is on
  • AIS: EM-Trak B951 is transmitting — other vessels will see Whistler on their plotters
  • VHF: B&G V60. Ch 16 always open at sea. Trogir port: Ch 17

Fresh Water

Tank is ~450 L. Hot water via 40 L boiler — run engine 20–30 min or be on shore power to heat.

  • Fill on port side deck
  • Turn pump off at the main panel when leaving the boat
  • At anchor, a full tank lasts 3–5 days for 4 people

Toilets

Important — read this before using the head

Nothing goes in the toilet except human waste. No toilet paper, no wipes, no cotton. Use the bin provided. Blocking the macerator is a serious and unpleasant job to fix.

Electric flush (Jabsco Quiet Flush) — hold button until fully clear. Black water tanks are ~85 L per head — pump out at marina or open seacock offshore (check local regulations).

Anchoring

  • Draft: 2.4 m — always confirm depth on chart before anchoring
  • Chain scope: 5:1 in calm conditions, 7:1+ in wind
  • Windlass: Quick DP3 electric — use the remote handset in the bow. Short bursts, don't run continuously
Situation Lights
Sailing (engine off) Red (port) + Green (stb) + White (stern) — or masthead tricolour
Motoring / motor-sailing Steaming (white fwd) + Red + Green + White stern. Switch tricolour off.
At anchor All-round white anchor light (use masthead)

Never use tricolour and steaming light together. When motor-sailing you are legally a power vessel.

Safety Basics

Item Location
Lifejackets Aft cabin locker
EPIRB / flares Nav station
Fire extinguisher Galley + engine bay
Manual bilge pump Cockpit
First aid kit Nav station

MAYDAY format: "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY — Whistler — [position] — [nature of distress] — [number of persons]" on VHF Ch 16.

Top 5 Things That Trip Up New Crew

  1. Bow thruster in long bursts — it will cut out, let it cool
  2. Putting anything down the toilet — it will block
  3. Motoring with the tricolour on — illegal and confusing for other vessels
  4. Forgetting to turn the water pump off — drains the tank silently
  5. Going too shallow — Whistler drafts 2.4 m, more than most charter boats

Full details

Each topic above has its own dedicated page in this wiki with complete procedures and manual links.