Having fell victim a few times for never having the right tool on board when I seemed to need it most, I thought I'd poll those savvier than I as to what you all carry in your tool chest on board. While I'm at it, how do you store your tools? Mechanic's tool chest, bucket with pockets around the side, or some other carrying case?
- Status
It depends...
...on how big your boat is and how far you plan to venture offshore. On my Santana 22 I used to get by on a leatherman, a sparkplug wrench, a box wrench for the keelboats and a shackle key. On my h410 I carry five complete toolboxes (mechanical, electrical, woodworking, rigging/sail repar, fiberglass/gelcoat repair), plus a large bolt cutter, hacksaw, finishing saw, dremmel tool, electric coping saw, cordless drill. In addition, I carry a huge box of assorted fasteners, a semi-huge box of glues and calks (plus other items that come in tubes, such as locktite), and a medium size box of tie-wraps, hose clamps, shackles, rigging tape, et cetera. I'm guessing my total tool weight is between three and four hundred pounds. I pretty much gauge the scope of a boat project by the number of toolboxes I have to pull out to finish it. (and/or the number of trips to the hardware store and chandlery to finish it.) The bottom line is that the hardware stores are few and far between once you get offshore.
...on how big your boat is and how far you plan to venture offshore. On my Santana 22 I used to get by on a leatherman, a sparkplug wrench, a box wrench for the keelboats and a shackle key. On my h410 I carry five complete toolboxes (mechanical, electrical, woodworking, rigging/sail repar, fiberglass/gelcoat repair), plus a large bolt cutter, hacksaw, finishing saw, dremmel tool, electric coping saw, cordless drill. In addition, I carry a huge box of assorted fasteners, a semi-huge box of glues and calks (plus other items that come in tubes, such as locktite), and a medium size box of tie-wraps, hose clamps, shackles, rigging tape, et cetera. I'm guessing my total tool weight is between three and four hundred pounds. I pretty much gauge the scope of a boat project by the number of toolboxes I have to pull out to finish it. (and/or the number of trips to the hardware store and chandlery to finish it.) The bottom line is that the hardware stores are few and far between once you get offshore.
Basically, Rich...
...you can see that everyone has different needs beyond the basics. The size of the boat and the amount of systems on the boat make a difference. You will soon learn what you will need. If you spend some time at the dock doing regular maintenance, you will soon learn. But while you are doing that work, look around and try to anticipate what else you may need - especially spare parts and the tools necessary to install them. Anticipation is the key, but try not to over do it. Fortunately, there are always other boaters in the yard/marina that can lend you a tool that first time. Good Luck.
...you can see that everyone has different needs beyond the basics. The size of the boat and the amount of systems on the boat make a difference. You will soon learn what you will need. If you spend some time at the dock doing regular maintenance, you will soon learn. But while you are doing that work, look around and try to anticipate what else you may need - especially spare parts and the tools necessary to install them. Anticipation is the key, but try not to over do it. Fortunately, there are always other boaters in the yard/marina that can lend you a tool that first time. Good Luck.
- Status