On-board tool list

[Tripaddle]

I’ve decided to empty out the tool shed that my sailboat has become. It’s handy having a lot of tools on board but I’d like to shed some weight, and lighten the sailboat too. Wondering if anyone has a list of what tools they wouldn’t leave the dock without. I’m talking daily to a few days, no crossing seas.

[JOHN COOKSON]

1/4 inch socket set.

ex TRUE GRIT

[Surcouf]

let me grab a beer... this is going to be a long thread!! between those who would go pretty light, and those who cannot drop the lines without a water pump, a coil, spark plugs + cables, a voltmeter and 2 back-up anchors etc...

But clearly I need to do the same cleaning... Previous owners had kept stashed multiple ignitor points (now an electronic ignition), and I did not do a better job at cleaning the boat. So clearly some good lessons to learn here.

[ronstory]

I basically use my checklist for off-roading... minus the air compressor.

Socket set - but I would go 3/8"
combo standard wrench set plus maybe metric for an outboard
Small battery operated drill / driver and modest set of drill bits
Combo set of driver bits
Screwdriver set or one of 6-in-1 screwdriver in good shape
Big screwdriver or small pry bar
A large adjustable wrench
Small and large channel-locks
Vise grip
Pliers
diagonal cutters
Utility knife
Wirestripper
20' of 4 conductor - 16 gauge trailer wire (for emergency patches)
various wirenuts
Black electric tape
DUCT TAPE (any color )
Jumper Cables
various hose clamps

[alcodiesel]

I like Ron's list.
I substitute crimp connectors for wire nuts

add
soldering gun, solder
crimper for connectors
bolt cutter
electrical tape
various glues and epoxies
hammer
various oils
more electrical wire

[Administrator]

Incrementals:

VOM (volt/ohmmeter)
Rescue Tape.

Bill

[Dave Neptune]

4 the list

Aluminum clothes line coated wire and a "shot glass" .

Dave Neptune

[Marty Levenson]

stethoscope

stuffing box wrenches.
several grades of sandpaper.
ss hose clamps.
magnet on a stick.
Lists will vary for cruising vs day sailing.

[lat 64]

Adapt

vice grips to be sure!
I looked for an image and found this(attached).

Me;" Master Yoda, I'm trying to fix the engine!"
Yoda;"There is no trying, only doing."

[joe_db]

I tend to trend towards the "rebuild engine in mid-cruise" supply level, but I did decide the extra starter weighed a ton and took it home.
If you race, then you need two screwdrivers and vicegrips, but not the big vicegrips
* I impressed my brother when the alternator died mid cruise. In about 20 or 30 minutes we were back underway with the spare alternator. He thought we were going to be on solar power the rest of the trip.

[ndutton]

I carry two tool kits similar to the one pictured plus a few additional specialty tools. The kits fold flat and stow easily.

[joe_db]

Years ago I found a socket set at Sears that I really like that uses these sockets. I don't know if it still an be found as a set, but they still sell the sockets. I have the huge $300 Craftsman set at home with all the 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch sockets and so on, but that thing is huge and heavy and does not like being carried sideways, so it would be terrible for a boat.
The set I have holds tight when closed, which is important on a boat. It does not do everything, I have some extra extensions and a 1/4" drive and some small sockets in my toolbox as well.
Some hints for buying a socket set:
1. Do NOT cheap out on this or you will pay with rounded off nuts and bolts.
2. Check the smaller sizes. There are a couple sizes like 11/32s that are common with electrical stuff and so on that many sets skip and I definitely use them.
3. Make sure they stay put in their case when shaken and moved.

[joe_db]

Some other tools to consider:
1. A strap wrench. I sprained/strained my wrist trying to get a Racor element off. A strap wrench will do this and oil filters too no problem.
2. Ratchet wrenches. These are very useful for getting the exhaust flange off the manifold. I don't have a full set, but I do have 1/2" and 9/16".
3. An impact driver socket for the temperature sensor. If you haven't ever taken yours off, it probably isn't ever going to come off without this and a long breaker bar.
4. A "grabber" that can reach under the engine and pull whatever you dropped under there out. Not that I have ever done that....
5. A bunch of test leads with alligator clips. These are quite useful for electrical testing.
6. Hydraulic crimpers. I can put terminals on wire up to 2/0 or maybe 4/0 gauge wire in 30 seconds instead of running to the local battery store or using the Nicropress machine at West when they aren't looking.
7. An IR laser thermometer. These are cheap and very useful. Do NOT use them on people. I saw some government official on TV using it on people to see if they had Covid-19. Not only is shining a laser at someone's face rude, it is calibrated for the emissivity of metal, not skin. The reading will be WAY off.

[Surcouf]

and because I had to use them once... I would never leave the dock without a good set of those, knowing exactly where they are stored.

[thatch]

"Dental floss?"

Recently, while doing some work on a friend's boat, I discovered a very creative way to make an "O" ring of sorts. Someone had wrapped about 25' of dental floss around a shift lever shaft that extended through a bulk-head, basically making an O-ring. It filled in a gap and most likely kept water from entering a space that had widened over the years. The floss still seemed to be in good shape despite having been exposed to the elements for quite some time. "Live and learn".
Tom