Spares: I carry a multiples of every nut, bolt pin and clip I've
found on the boat. Spare spark plugs, and starting rope too. As
spares, I have bulbs for every light on the boat and an ample
selection of Ancor marine connectors and adhesive shrink wrap. As far
as tools go, Sears has started marketing a whole series of tools
which are multi-purpose/size. I think this is the way to go.
They aren't stainless steel, but will help containthe size of
your tool box.
My 16 inch toolbox has a small ratchet set which uses multi-size
sockets (sold at many KMart stores), a pair of channel locks, a pair
of vise grips, one Stanley screw driver with magnetic bits and a pair
of electrical/jewelry sized screw drivers-flat and philips, and an 8
inch Adjustable Wrench. I also carry several strips of emory cloth, a
butane soldering iron/rope cutter,a hack saw with extra/different
blades and a combination rasp/ file.
Electrical wire cutter/.stripper and a small pair of wire
cutters. Also included are a compact 12 ft tape measure and plastic
nut/bold sizing gage and plastic measuring caliper. I carry a sail
repair kit which was an off-the-shelf item at West Marine. Partial/
small rolls of electrical, duct & Sail tape are also onboard.
I sail in fresh water and haven't experienced any trouble with rust,
however I do spray sheets of paper shop towels with
WD40 and place a sheet in the bottom of the box as well as wrap all
cutting tools in a sprayed sheet. This doesn't leave the tools oily
when using them, but does seem to stop/reduce corrosion.
Probably the two tools I should have but don't are a hammer and
large wire/cable cutters. A hand powered drill brace and bits has also
been suggested to me. I've also put together a kit of rechargable tools
that I take to the marina often. They are Black & Decker using the small
cylindrical batteries. With four fresh batteries, I've been able to
comlete every project tackled so far. The kit contains a 3/8 drill,
saber saw that looks more like a reciprocating saw and a small sander.
They are priced such that it wouldn't be tragedy if one.....oops. ( I
do tie a lanyard on them when using them on the boat.) Oh yes,
several rigging knives with marlin spike and shackle key. The spares
are in compartmentalized storage boxes in the drawer under the
companionway step and the tool box is in the V-berth storage area.
Bruce, hope this give you a place to start.
Dan Bodnar
SV QOL
I have a Fiskars drill which is a minature brace & bit drill. It came
with 4 drill bits that are stored with a wide rubber band on it's
shaft body. It is quite small, but really works well.
I would defenitely get a hammer. After all, it's the purcussion
adjuster most favored by the true sailor.
Alex
02 Feb 2001
The following is a bare bones list:
Tool kit
- 3 sizes Phillips screwdrivers
- 4 sizes flat screwdrivers
- Assorted pliers, both normal and needlenose
- adjustable wrenches 1 each size from 4 inch to 12 inch.
- 1 monster channel lock plier
- Utillity knife
- rigger's knife with marlainspike and shackle buster
- Plastic or electrical tape
- rigger's tape
- tube of silicone sealant
- #2 pencils
- segmented box for holding small hardware
- spark plug wrench to fit your engine.
- extra shear pins to fit your engine
I'm sure other folks will add to this. This is what I'd take as a
minimum to make a repair off shore, and get me back home.
CPT Richard F. Sheehan
02 Feb 2001
Most of us carry more tools and spare parts on our boats than Stan
keeps on hand at the factory. I've spent the past 2 years taking
tools and parts off the boat. Stuff ages quickly in that environment.
You'd be surprised at how much more space you have for things you use
on a daily basis. It takes less time to make a WM run than to find a
part on board. As usual, I'm with Rummy on this one. WM sells a
little toolkit for $10 that has everything you need inside. I found
with all my specialty tools and parts on board I would always go to
the little toolkit first because it always had what I needed and I
didn't have to worry about dropping something expensive overboard. I
liked it so much I bought one for each of my cars.
Bill Effros
Easy solution on the tool kit....just buy one from a marine dealer
with a case. Then start adding as you find a need for more things.
You will be amazed by what you will accumulate.
Rummy
