Tools needed for boating

[Capn Mike]

Homerr's post below on the Dremel tool reminded me that I had needed to put together a tool kit for my daughter's and hubby's new house. Since they don't boat, that's a subject for somewhere else, but it reminded me that I'd needed to put something together for my last boat (23' WA). I keep mine moored, so I can't be reaching into the garage all the time. Besides the needed safety equipment, including spare prop, what's on your Must-Carry-on-the-Boat list? <br />I have:<br />1) Plastic toolbox with assortment of screws,nuts & bolts, plugs, assorted elec. items, spare fuses & light bulbs, cotter keys, prop wrench, spark plugs, grease, oil;<br />2) One of those $30 auto tool kits that come in a flat case with one of every cheap tool known; I added square driver bits and spark plug gap gauge;<br />3) a hand-powered drill, with drill bits (goes in 1);<br />4) a plastic carton with soaps, bleach, glass cleaner, rags, funnel, scissors (for cutting rubber non-skid mats);<br />Am I forgetting anything?

 

[crab bait]

Re: Tools needed for boating

did you forget a bandsaw & sandblaster ... just kidin' ... sounds like you were an eagle scout... hey,,,, if you have the room ,,,, WHY NOT... seriously ,, wd-40 , duct tape , bailin' wire & a few hose clamps... good-post-by-way...

 

[blifsey]

Re: Tools needed for boating

And throw in another roll of duct tape evry outing

 

[Franki]

Re: Tools needed for boating

I'd also add a cheap multimeter, insulation tape..<br />several different size split pins (stainless) and hose clamps..<br /><br />I also have a cheap gas soldering iron (and solder)<br /><br />broken down so many times in the past that I also now bring my cordless drill and socket set... (my toolbox is bigger then the cooler <br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Tools needed for boating

interesting issue. I have an old '77 Chris Craft, and the owners manual would have you take along everything from belts to impellers, plugs and whatever. I had some starter problems, so now I also take a spare starter (with the right ratchet and extension to replace the starter). <br /><br />The thing is, I can't picture myself doing much of this repair work while bouncing around out there on the Bay. I'll continue to take the toolbox and all, I guess, but realistically I'm not likely to fix anything out there if it can't be temporarily repaired with duct tape or something similar.<br /><br />I've got a trolling motor on board and a removable motor mount, and I'm working on an electric-starting troller complete with controls and steering. And I bought the Boat US unlimited towing insurance.....

 

[dhammann]

Re: Tools needed for boating

I agree with "oldboat1" but it also depends on where you boat. In central N.C. if you raise your motor box, some one will offer you a tow within a few minutes....southern hospitality and common courtesy

 

[Ross J]

Re: Tools needed for boating

I love the original one about the cheap plastic box with tools - over here K mart sell a great cheap tool kit for $35. Its got about all one needs for the boat plus it doesn't mean you take those good quality expensive tools from the garage and cause them to rust. I replace my cheap kit every two years as it gets rusty in a small boat. Haven;t had to use them much yet other than a couple of light replacements and changing the prop once! <br />Of course the nut behind the wheel has to know what he/she is doing in the first place?<br />Ross

 

[Navigator]

Re: Tools needed for boating

As far as tools go, what I did was one afternoon pull the boat into the garage and start disassembling the engine while keeping track of the tools used. I thought of all the common things that would leave me stranded or repairs that I actually COULD perform while 5 miles offshore. True, I'm not about to pull a powerhead, but I might neet to pull a carb or two. I did this several times once for each of my engines. I wont go into detail, but it only came out to a handful of tools for each engine. <br /><br />One thing I do keep as well, is an extra Orange life jacket and a rain poncho. I cut the poncho on one side and drape it ove the life jacket. The life jacket then goes in the water and I slip it around the leg of the outboard while its in the water. I clip it so it wont go away. The Poncho I have floats and it spreads out around the outboard. This way, when I drop something like a carb bolt, it falls on the poncho and not to the bottom of the ocean. I put additional life jackets under the poncho if it is rough or I am likely to drop something heavy like an adjustable wrench. Dumb as this idea sounds, its saved me more than once.<br /><br />Just my 2 cents <br /><br />Nav

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Of course, life would be much harder without duct tape. And every boat in the PacNW carries WD40; we spray it on fishing lures (cheaper and better than scents). I presume it works elsewhere as well. I also always carry a Leatherman; probably the most used tool I own. Oldboat, I agree about not repairing out on the water; other than adding oil to the reservoir (why does the warning siren scream just when I'm bringing in a salmon?)I do my routine maintenance in my mooring slip.<br />Nav, I like the poncho idea. I wouldn't have to buy all those extra spark plugs; there are 3 nice new Champions somewhere under my slip....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Probably the most valuable tool to carry in the last 10 years or so has to be a cell phone. Calls to the "significant other" when your broke down (or claim to be when the fishing is good ) or when you need to call for assistance. The cheap tool kit is great too but I would recommend you seal up the kit when it's dry in a plastic trash bag....ever try to use a rusted adjustable wrench or pliers!<br /><br />Great lists above.<br /><br />Bob

 

[acme]

Re: Tools needed for boating

This forum's just what I was looking for. I'm addicted!<br /><br />Harbor Freight has a good throw away tool set for @ $25.

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Evin300's going to like this one. For those of you with bigger boats where the hull is lined and not easy to access, I knew an old timer who carried a small chainsaw! Laugh if you like but he had one when he holed his hull years ago and used it to quickly cut away the interior panelling and get at the hole so he could plug it (with pillows!). Swears it saved his boat long enough to beach it, and I believe him, but he also overheated his motor when loose foam chips from the pillows got into the bilge so maybe use Navigator's poncho attached to a life jacket for that .

 

[crab bait]

Re: Tools needed for boating

that's what the W-D IS FOR.!!

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Capn Mike, <br /><br />You've got large mammals out there that are smarter than fools like us who would be tinkering with a busted boat out on the Sound -- and the noises we make when frustrated probably sound a lot like wounded seals....<br /><br />Nope. Towing insurance and a cellphone.<br /><br />(UW alum -- Go Dawgs!)

 

[nnosker]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Where is the thinking cap? Ahhh using it to figure out what you need!!! Think your set. But that makes me more worried when i have alot of tools. Maybe nothing will go wrong then. Hook a lugger and get pulled back home.

 

[Kramer]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Great ideas on what to have on board! I'll add one that saved me once (err, ok, maybe twice). A diving mask! Ever try to get that rope out of the prop when you can't see it? If you have to take the big splash to do anything down there, a mask is indispensible.<br /><br />Giddyup<br /><br />Kramer

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Just got back to the office to check my posts! The shad are running and we save them for bait. I might have to add an item for the boat: a bait freezer so my wife doesn't complain ("Those are the smelliest fish you've EVER brought home!" "Sure, that's why sturgeon like them so much.").<br />Kramer, I admire the spirit to plunge into the water with a face mask, but 38 degree water isn't somethng I want to try.<br />Oldboat, the sea lions followed the salmon this year all the way up to Bonneville. Felt like fishing for them with an '06.<br />And, I hate to tell you....Wazzoo is predicted to win the Pac 10 this year....

 

[EGalvTex]

Re: Tools needed for boating

JUMPER CABLES....VITAL!

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Tools needed for boating

salmon? you've still got salmon?<br /><br />(those folks out of Pullman are always spreading grandiose Wazoo predictions....more likely will just win their last game and keep the Huskies out. Spoilers and danged predators -- sort of like those sea lions....)

 

[lepper]

Re: Tools needed for boating

Of course there is still salmon..... Spring run is still going on her ein oregon if you know where to go... or just go to the first buoy then hang a left and go for about 1/2 mile... that is where to catch em... <br /><br />about the shad. I always use them for crab bait... they work really well for sturgeon?? I didn't know that!! Hey, email me and tell me how to catch a stugeon would ya?? daweston@earthlink.net