See also the Checklists Best Practices: Follow or Copy a Public Checklist? tutorial video.

Checklists Best Practices: Follow or Copy a Public Checklist?

Differences between Follow - Copy

To begin with, let’s see the differences between Follow - Copy a Public Checklist:

Follow

• You will be able to use it as a checklist (i.e. to check/uncheck any items)
  

• You will always have the latest version (i.e. when the checklist creator will add/revise anything your followed checklist will be updated automatically)
  

• You will be able to comment (e.g. ask the creator to include an item, include some more details on another one, etc)
  

• You will not be able to add/remove/rearrange items
  

Copy

• You will be able to fully use it as a checklist you have created (i.e. edit title/description, add/remove/rearrange items)
  

• You will be able to comment (i.e. as if you have created this checklist)
  

• You will not receive any updates (i.e. your copy will be detached from the original checklist and any addition/revision by the creator will not be performed on your copy)
  

How to decide whether to Follow or Copy

Follow

Have you found a useful for you checklist? Our advice is go ahead and Follow it! Even more, do so actively by commenting on what you like and what you propose to be added/revised. A fellow sailor did the work to put this together so let’s assist to make it even better. What is the advantage? You will always have the most updated checklist with no struggle to maintain it yourself!

Copy

You found a useful checklist, you Followed it and commented many times for the creator to add/revise items you deem crucial but no luck. Don’t be put off. Maybe the creator has other needs (e.g. a different boat/agenda/technique maybe) not matching yours. So, go ahead, make a Copy and edit it to your liking!