Collecting tools to keep onboard

Hartley · Jun 20, 2013

I'm a firm believer in making every effort to keep Brother Murphy at bay..

I would want to have all of the standard sizes (standard, metric or both, as appropriate) for stuff like sockets, box-open & hex wrenches. My feeling is that the advantage of saving a bit of weight is massively offset by the pain of suddenly discovering you don't have the right size tool in a spot where you can't go fetch one.
Outside of the standard range of sizes (say 1/8" thru 3/4" in sockets) you should be more selective, of course.

Hartley
S/V Atsa

Ross · Jun 20, 2013

Add a set of flare nut wrenches and a full set of pliers for wire work. The 5 in 1 screw drivers are a must and they also fit hose clamps. Don't forget allen wrenches. Electrical tape is a must and also pipe joint dope.

kloudie1 · Jun 20, 2013

Some good screwdrivers including longs and stubbies.. Open/box combos of the standdard sizes, Vice grips, Channel locks, good heavy wire cutters, feeler gauge set, a small pouch set of 3/8 and 1/4 drive sockets with a nut driver handle. some big aluminum pipe wrenches for shaft gland adjusting.. electrical crimp/stripper pliers and a few good fittings. A hammer. a good volt/ammeter. All this stuff is in a good plastic tool box with one of the little anti-rust thingies inside.
http://www.amazon.com/Zerust-VC2-1-...qid=1371741269&sr=8-8&keywords=rust+inhibitor
and hex wrenches in both flavors.

FastOlson · Jun 20, 2013

Besides a decent socket set (with deep sockets!) and a roll-up (compact) fabric bundle of SAE and metric combo wrenches, one of the most often used little tool sets on our boat is a little plastic pouch of "ignition wrenches".
They are thin, open on both end, and one end is offset to a side. Darned Handy for a variety of jobs where it's difficult to get at a nut on the back side of something.

Another tool that's useful on most every job, are a pair of ratcheting right-angle screw drivers -- straight and phillips.
They are short-handled and can get at a lot of fastenings that are impossible to reach with a straight-handle screw driver.

Further from wrenching.... vital tool is a hammer! For the boat it's a stubby handle 2# "drilling hammer" that I picked up cheap from Harbor Freight. Lots of jobs require some force in places where you can only move the hammer about an inch, but still need some torque delivered when it strikes....
That, and a cheap 1" chisel that gets reground as needed.

And... used regularly for about 20 seasons, a Fiskars hand crank drill. No cord or battery, no problem.

After three decades, it's amazing what the tool box finally starts to boil down to!

Also, all that useful stuff that Claude mentioned, too.

kenn · Jun 20, 2013

I had at last count about 3 nearly complete toolsets

. On the bench, in the truck, a briefcase for IT work...

I almost always have a full set of tools in my SUV, so for now I just have one small toolbox on the boat itself. if i was out cruising, heck yes I'd have enough tools (and manuals) to be self-supporting. And to hopefully make some drink money doing the occasional fix for other cruisers

Maybe make a tool "budget" - allow one or two tool bags, weight not to exceed X pounds, and make a list of essential spares to carry.

jimmcgee · Jun 20, 2013

Something I found useful was to make up a second set of "most used" tools that I keep on the shelf.

#1 & #2 phillips, flat blade screwdriver, marine Swiss Army knife with a fid, small LED flashlight and a leatherman tool. It takes up almost no space and saves me from digging out the tool bag for 90% of those little jobs that pop up.

Merlin Clark · Jun 20, 2013

Adding to the great suggestions above; wire crimper/stripper, a few feet of wire, butt splices, shrink wrap and a lighter to shrink it with; silicone tape; package of zip ties; wire brush; piece of sand paper.

kpgraci · Jun 20, 2013

WD-40, Duct Tape and a knife.

dscribner · Jun 20, 2013

During the Christmas rush, I picked up a set of metric and a set of standard wrenches from Home Repot. You know, the $4 kind that clips together in a really cheap metal gadget? Small, little space, good for emergencies and if it goes over, I'm not. Did the same with sockets and screw drivers. Add a zillion pins (who tend to be suicidal, jumping to watery graves at the most inconvenient times.), hose clamps, DUCT TAPE, and shackles of every sort. I also go thru a hundred feet of cheap Walmart rope (the blue stuff on the plastic bail) a season. I use it for everything, then I can toss (never overboard) it or re-roll it. Also, a $3 LED puck light works wonders for all sorts of thing. Did your stern light fail? Or maybe the mast light? Can't see in the quarter birth of galley? Wanna see some fish at night. Add a couple of zip-lock bags, a couple of cheap sockets for weight and length of cheap Walmart rope (yep, the blue stuff) and it's entertainment for hours.

Stu Jackson · Jun 20, 2013

WD-40 is pretty useless. PB Blaster is much better, just don't get it on seals. Arf-arf!

I recommend a good set of tools that come in a case with CAPTIVE little plastic locks for each component, so they don't fall out when you open the case or store it.

Then as you go, you'll find out what more you need.

Any good cruising BOOK will have a list of recommended tools. Go to a West Marine and read one, copy what you think need.

This is a recurring question, with pretty much that same answer.

Good luck with your new boat. Don't forget the "skinned knuckles."

They come free!!!

Johnb · Jun 20, 2013

I don't know if I missed it but the capability to drill holes, cut threads and saw is very useful. So a junior and full size hacksaw and a set of drill bits and taps with a cordless drill.

Also adhesives, sealers and tape, electrical and rigging, and band aids.

I keep gasket making material so that I can make one from scratch (e.g. impeller cover or similar).

Mirrors and lights - problems really diminish when you can actually see things.

And fasteners - screws of multiple types in multiple lengths in multiple sizes in multiple materials in enough quantity with nuts and washers...........................

I have a multi meter and I have made up 20 foot lead extensions for it, with hands free clips on the ends.

Benny17441 · Jun 20, 2013

Yes, by all means, DUCT TAPE. A multimeter is invaluable to help diagnose faulty parts and circuits.

Bill Roosa · Jun 20, 2013

don't forget the prop shaft gland wrenches and a dental pick. Also a hand mirror for that mast head work and seeing around corners. A flash light.
And of course spares for every hose and bulb and lots of electrical crimps and lugs

justsomeguy · Jun 20, 2013

IH82BL8 said:
Thanks for all the suggestions/recommendations.

Something I will add to the list myself: Bolt cutters (means of cutting away standing rigging).

I saw a show on TV some years ago where a sailboat capsized and was sinking slowly. Someone on board had his foot caught in the shrouds and was going down with the boat. He would have drowned if emergency services had not shown up and cut the rigging.

Ya took the words right outta' my mouth. Good thread. Kudos!

Charles Erwin · Jun 20, 2013

Here is something most versatile. http://www.amazon.com/Skew-Products-SPK-4040-Straight-Multi-Bit/dp/B000LQB6DI.

Charles

Bad Obsession · Jun 20, 2013

I kept a complete set of tools aboard the boat. One thing that I didn't see is the set of tools to adjust the packing gland and the tool for installing a shaft zinc.

Add to this some sand paper and a paint scraper. A small wire brush is also helpful.

Every boater should have a roll of Duck Tape in the boat!

THECUSCUS · Jun 21, 2013

A 6" and 8" adjustable wrench are invaluable for rigging work ( especially adjusting turnbuckles and mast head work). There can be many different sized fasteners, taking these two along will save you the trouble of hauling every sized wrench along (especially if you don't know what size fastener you will encounter). I also like a small, needle nosed vise grip and a pair of diagonal cutters for cotter pin work.

Scott T-Bird · Jun 21, 2013

Don't forget the maintenance flow chart!

I must be the only one who finds that no matter how many tools I keep on my boat, I never seem to have the right one ... and no matter how many screws or pins I try to keep stocked, I have to run to the hardware store to get the size I need!

So I just try to keep it simple with this handy chart! I can substitute many flavors of beer for Corona and I like Gorilla Tape rather than Duct tape.

Collecting tools to keep onboard

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