Recommended repair items for boat

[DetroitFD]

Hey guys-
I bought my first boat about. Month ago, and I'm wondering what tools and equipment I should have on the boat. I have a basic tool set and stuff like zip ties/duct tape already.
Just wondering what hoses, fuel filters, etc that you carry all the time.

Boat is 1994 Rinker 265 w a Merc 5.7 and Bravo 2.

Sizes/part numbers appreciated if you have em. Thanks!!

 

[southkogs]

Honestly for me: I don't carry much of anything. Even when I was running the old OMC I didn't take too much out except a basic tool set.

It's just easier for me to pay the annual fee for a towing service.

 

[H20Rat]

Honestly for me: I don't carry much of anything. Even when I was running the old OMC I didn't take too much out except a basic tool set.

It's just easier for me to pay the annual fee for a towing service.

Towing, what is that? Not always an option depending on where you are at, and it can be a long swim/walk to civilization!

Not going to comment on what to carry as there are already a bunch of threads on that, but a lot of your kit depends on your ability. You can give a scalpel to 2 different people, one can do heart surgery, the other couldn't strip a wire without slicing a finger off.

 

[JASinIL2006]

There's a lot of topics on this... if you do a search in this subforum you'll find wide variety of opinions. Aside from required safety items (e.g., signalling devices, fire extinguisher, PFDs, and the like) I carry a spare propeller and stuff needed to change it, extra fluids (oil, trim fluid, etc.).

I used to bring a full tool kit, but I've come to realize there really isn't that much I could fix myself while out on water, so I now carry a small kit with a screwdriver, a couple of wrenches, pliers, zip ties and duct tape. I am going to start carrying some extra heavy duty zip ties to use as belt in case one breaks and I need to limp home.

 

[tpenfield]

I usually bring my 100 piece tool/socket set. I have spare impeller (Bravo sea water pump), hose clamps, v-belts, oil, and beer onboard. I also keep things that I replace, like distributor cap and other 'stuff' as spares.

Of course boats are smart and devious, they know what spare parts you have and purposely cause something else to break, so your spare part inventory is of no use when something breaks. :facepalm:

The only time I actually had to fix something on the water is when the raw water hose blew off of the sea water pump.

 

[DetroitFD]

I'll do some searching here, just thought there might be some engine specific stuff.

I do already have towing service, but I like to be prepared for simple stuff so I don't have to sit and wait for a tow. Thanks guys!

 

[tpenfield]

A lot of times your best 'cure' is 'prevention' in terms of looking for stuff that is in the early stages of failing. Things like leaking gaskets, gauge irregularities, 'funny noises', etc.

You mentioned fuel filter . . . I would not do anything like that on the water. too much opportunity for disaster. Best to get towed in if there is a fuel system issue.

A spare Solenoid, might be something to have. The outdrive uses the same solenoid as the starter, so you can have a spare in case you are stuck and cannot start the engine or lower the outdrive because of a bad solenoid.

 

[Scott Danforth]

and beer onboard.

:thumb:

I use the beer to tip the tow boat crew.

I used to bring a pile of tools in a heavy (80#) toolbox. I now bring a swiss army knife with cork-screw, a roll of duct tape, roll of electrical tape, 2 extra drain plugs, a 9/16" wrench for the drain plugs, an extra set of props and the prop wrenches to change the props

normal maintenance keeps the normal issues at bay, boat us towing insurance for when the fecal material hits the rotary oscillator

 

[EchoNovember]

A basic tool set to adjust items such as carbs, fuel/air mixture, tighten screws that vibrate loose, etc., spare prop, always carry a spare prop, and a prop wrench. Either the plastic floating kind if you can find a good one, or wrench with a wrist strap tied on. It also depends on your abilities. If you have a fuel pump go out and can change that while out on the water, more power to you, carry those parts with. As smokingcrater said, you can give a scalpel to two people...

Stay within your abilities. You don't want to try an unfamiliar repair on the water and end up dropping a $50 still good part. You'll never get it back if you're in over waist deep water, especially if it's a mucky or sandy bottom. Unless you have a magnet, the part was steel, and you can get the magnet over the exact place it fell. The magnets are best used for retrieving tools, not much else.

I have a 16ft bowrider with a 75 HP outboard I'm putting together a basic toolkit for. I'm only throwing in a couple different size Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench or two, and a prop wrench. That's pretty much it. For spare parts I'll have a spare prop, prop washers, and prop nut. Maybe a couple spare nuts in case something vibrates loose, but if there is enough vibration to back off a nylock nut, I've got bigger problems than a missing nut.