What's in your tool bag?

[Bryanp71]

So, this is mainly for the outboard guys. Outside of spark plugs with proper socket, channel locks, screwdriver's, spare cotter key, and possibly a spare prop, what items are in your take along tool bag? Keep in mind, the biggest lake i'll be on is Truman Lake here in Missouri.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Along with what you mentioned above I also carry a bag of zip ties, some electrical tape, a good pair of wire strippers/crimpers, a little bit of wire, a simple fuse/circuit tester, two different sizes crescent wrench, and a small roll of duct tape. I carry all of that in a small electricians bag under the helm within easy reach. I trust my boat, but she is 32 years old, and I know how much I break down at 42!

 

[shrew]

These things tend to build themselves if you consider what you are going to REASONABLY do out on the water, and the extent of your technical aptitude (This is a general statement, we don't really need a resume of your experience and skills. It's just something to consider). I have kits that include tools I use for spring commissioning and fall decommissioning. However, those don't ride around on the boat all season. They come out when I need them. As a general rule, I work exclusively out of my tool bag. Things which are missing get added. Things which are not used get removed.

You don't typically need tools for jobs that require you be out of the water. The zincs on my trim tabs use 1/4" socket/driver, however that is the only place. So, I only carry that one socket with me. I have an SAE boat, so I don't carry metric. I try to use a multi-tool rather than a set of tools for space.

In general, only work out of your tool bag and it will take care of itself.

 

[thumpar]

I keep a set of Craftsman 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive socket set in metric and standard both 6 point, 12 point and deepwell. I have a open/box end wrenches in metric and standard. There are various pliers and screwdrivers in there too. Along with the tools I carry a spare impeller and oil. It may be overkill but we boat on a lake that is 25 miles long and we start at the top so we are usually 10+ miles from the ramp.

 

[agallant80]

48 piece socket set
adjustable wrench
duct tape
Alan wrenches
Hammer
zip ties
multi meter
crimp tool
solder iron (don't know why I keep this one on the boat)
Pliers of different sizes
vicegrips
wd-40
razor knife and blades
electrical tape
extra wire
extra fuses
all kind of crimp connectors

 

[tpenfield]

Fogging oil or WD-40, duck tape, hammer, voltmeter.

 

[Fun Times]

For me, a 12 volt test light is important to have both in the boat and in your vehicle to help find a quick 12v power loss situation.

 

[Bob_VT]

Simple thing I like to carry is the 2 part epoxy stick (the type that will cure under water and work on fuel tanks too - the Marine Bondo will do that and I also carry a piece of tin foil. Tin foil aluminum will help if you should encounter a stripped bolt use in conjunction with the epoxy

 

[Bryanp71]

Bob, that sounds like some real MacGyver **** there.

 

[theBrownskull]

24 piece socket set
misc. screw drivers
hammer
fuses
wrenches
1/2 breaker bar with socket for propeller nut
test light
electrical and duct tape
zip ties
spare rope
spare wire
assortment of pliers
vice-grips
IR gun
allen wrenches
spare keys for ignition
several pocket knifes
razor blades
1 quart of engine oil
1 quart of gear lube
12 volt jump pack
19 pitch aluminum propeller and spare nut

I think that is all of it.

 

[Chris1956]

For an outboard: Spare Prop and all prop hardware. Enough 2 cycle oil to premix a full tank (non-premix motors). Elec and duck tape. Some clip leads. Maybe some various bolts and nuts, and a full set of tools. You should change your spark plugs and other maintenance items at the beginning of the season. You might carry a new water separator cartridge. If you need gear oil or spark plugs, you need a tow home.

Same stuff for I/Os except take some fan belts with you, and motor oil, instead of 2 cycle oil.

 

[dingbat]

I keep a cheap $29 Walmart tool kit, a couple of spark plugs, a fuel filter with wrench, spare prop /hardware with wrench, misc. cork plugs, a gallon of 2 stoke oil, misc. fuses and an unlimited towing membership from TowBoat US.

In all my years out on the water, I only ran into two situations that required tools/ materials outside those mentioned above. One required a screw driver and a plastic water bottle. The other, a plastic bag from a passengers lunch and a rubber band I found in the tackle locker.

 

[Scott Danforth]

a leatherman, 2-way radio, cell phone and towing insurance. sometimes a paddle.

Dad used to keep an entire tool box on the boat. by the time he needed to use them, the pliers and adjustable wrenches have long since rusted solid from moisture and condensation and he needed to call for a tow anyway.

now the only tool on his boat is a leatherman. only used it once to remove fishing line from the prop.

 

[mrdancer]

I don't carry much, since I run a fairly new motor, do lotsa shore maintenance, and only do daily inland trips (no more than 60 miles, and never more than ten miles from a ramp). I do carry a spare prop, hub kit w/ nut and a breaker bar/socket for the prop. A small socket set or nut drivers to fit the t-stat housing. I carry a needlenose leatherman to do lotsa small jobs (including pulling hard to reach fuses). A roll of duct tape and a roll of electrical tape and some zip ties. In extreme cases, I may carry an old cell phone and charger (even without service, it can be used to dial 911). I do keep one of those portable power supplies (10,000mAh for around $30, about the size of a smartphone and will recharge a smartphone about 4-5x) in my lunchbox. Thinking about getting one of those MicroStart XP1 units for a main battery backup...

I'm surprised none of you off-shore guys have mentioned a wax toilet ring. They are cheap (less than $5) and work well for plugging holes in the boat.