essential tools for emergency repairs

[whosmatt]

I'm trying to assemble a small collection of tools to keep on my boat in case i need to make emergency repairs. Just curious as to what you all carry and why. <br /><br />weight is very important since i have a small (14' 10hp) boat. any special combination tools to reduce the amount of stuff i have to carry? something nice and waterproof to keep it all in?<br /><br />just curious as to what you all carry.<br /><br />matt

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

To me, the essentials are:<br />Spark plug wrench with spare gapped plugs<br />Propeller wrench with spare prop, nut and cotter pin [to replace what you drop in the water].<br />Screwdriver- Phillips and slot<br />Adjustable wrench<br />One spark plug lead<br />Electrical tape<br />And of course, duct tape<br />The best tool is to maintain your motor and be sure it's running well before you leave the dock area. I have a kicker on my boat, so some of the other guys may carry more. I will be interested in their comments, also.

 

[ndemge]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

Jack listed the esentials. <br /><br />I was at Uncle Sams this weekend (military surplus) .. they had old Ammo boxes for sale for $7<br /><br />Very waterproof and small. Just check the rubber seal to make sure it's in good shape.

 

[roscoe]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

A small tackle box works well. <br />Here's a short list for a small motor, some are essentials.<br /><br />spark plug/s and wrench<br />needlenose pliers AND vise grips<br />SPARE DRAIN PLUG!<br />screw driver<br />prop/washers/nuts,cotter pins/shear pins<br />wire<br />rag<br />gaffers tape<br />WD-40<br />Any open end/box wrenches needed for your motor

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

short lenth of (electricial) wire.<br />regular pliers<br />a manual for your engine <br />every thing else listed above too

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

I am very surprised that no one said a hammer. You never know when you will need to beat on something hard and wrench wont cut it. I also carry a length (depends on your boat size) of a decent gage wire. Never know when you need to jump or by pass something to get your boat home.

 

[cotterman]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

spare shear pins, beats rowing

 

[miloman]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

all of the above is very important I highly recomend that you carry some form of plyable 2 part epoxy. It will fix a hole in the boat if needed and is as hard as steel in about 5 minutes

 

[flashback]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

in addition to tools, I also carry some common spares, such as fuel pump, accessory drive belts, fuel filter, and a piece of hose as long as the longest for the cooling system, and a few other things like points and condenser, nuts and bolts, yea i probably have too much stuff but if ya have the room for it, what the heck, Oh yea, I have one of those re-chargable booster packs also, I keep that in my truck and transfer it to the boat when I go out.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

The local discount auto stores always have a 164 (or so)-piece tool set on sale for $19.95 or some such. These aren't the best tools made, but they're certainly good enough for occasional boat use, and you won't worry about corrosion or rust. Throw them into a small tackle/tool box, along with the other essentials listed above, and you're set.<br />Be sure to include a corkscrew.....

 

[93evinrude]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

All good suggestions.<br />My addition--- Spare Fuses!!

 

[snapperbait]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

Wire ties, Zip ties, Tie wraps... Whatever you call em'... I always carry a few medium size one's... Almost as useful as Duct Tape..

 

[wazzu98]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

Great list of stuff guys! Wrote it all down and got a page of stuff. I believe it all is important to have though!

 

[magster65]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

Take your cell phone... you never know.

 

[mellocj]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

a long rope suitable for towing your boat in.. and a stick of epoxy, its the type you can just rub together and cures underwater in 5 minutes.

 

[Navigator]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

Whosmatt,<br />The best way to assemble a tool kit is to sit down one afternoon and decide what exactly you can fix on the water. Then do a practice run and keep track of all the tools you actually need. The prepackaged 150+ tool kits are fine, but are you really going to need a 11/16 inch drive socket? Are you planning to pull the powerhead? I didn't think so. If you do the afternoon thing, then you'll find it really boils down to a few simple tools.<br /><br />The above replies are all good, but remember to always take some extra nuts along with you too. If you're like me and try to pull a carb, inadvertantly, one of the nuts always seems to fall down into the bowels of the engine or into the water. Also the bolts holding the fuel bowls on the carbs are prone to dropping.<br /><br />Most importantly in your case with that small outboard, the best tool you could carry is a set of oars ...and a cell phone to let the wife know you'll be late...<br /><br />Nav

 

[boatingfool]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

All good sggestions but I cant believe no one said flashlight yet.<br />I never leave without one.<br /><br />Adjustable wrench<br />channel locks<br />vice grips<br />dikes<br />duct tape<br />screwdrivers<br />hammer<br />flashlight<br />ores<br /><br />I Only do the spark plug thing if I am running a 2 stroke.

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

Hmm if this list grows any longer, y'all might need a dinghy to carry it!

 

[whosmatt]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

wow... thanks for all the responses.<br /> <br />anybody ever try one of those floating prop wrenches or are they just a gimmick?<br /><br />any other cool floating tools out there?

 

[AndyL]

Re: essential tools for emergency repairs

Daft as it sounds a mirror or proper heliograph.It only needs the sun to attract attention and no maintenance. A cheap multimeter is always handy to fault trace minor electrical problems.