Essential Tools to have on board

[egaito]

While I'm down on Ang's boat next week, we're going tool shopping for the boat.

Beyond the obvious (sockets, extensions, ratchets, breaker bar, wrenches, screw drivers, vice-grips, etc), have any of you found any "must have" specialty tools that have proven useful?

How about tools that serve several purposes to reduce the size of the collection needed?


Thanks,

-Ed G.

 

[Genesis]

Yes - a full Detroit tune-up set and torque wrenches in both 3/8 and 1/2" drive.

 

[luckydave215]

A top quality dvom and an ir thermometer. I prefer Fluke brand. Don't forget the dentist's mirrors and stripping/crimping tools. A large, random selection of hose clamps is your friend, along with the nut driver to install them.

 

[egaito]

Yes - a full Detroit tune-up set and torque wrenches in both 3/8 and 1/2" drive.

What does a Detroit tune-up set consist of? A spare set of plugs and an air filter element (yes, I'm kidding).

Thanks,

-Ed

 

[Genesis]

1. The pin gauge for your injectors (whatever setting that is - most common is 1.460 but check)

2. A set of step-feeler gauges (valve clearance and governor gap)

3. The little wrench for the governor gap setting (you CAN use a regular open end wrench but its a PITA - the little special one makes it much easier)

4. Two offset wrenches for the pushrod adjustments (I actually only use one on V92s, preferring a regular open-end for the other.)

5. A fuel-line split-socket (for removing and re-torquing the fuel jumper nuts)

And a couple of other tools that come in handy.

Snap-On sells the entire set in a red snap-case that makes it easy to carry around and store. IMHO that and the torque wrenches are a must; if you need to change an injector and don't have these tools you're screwed.

Oh, carry at least one (two is better) spare injectors and a small heel bar as well (the latter is to pop out the old injector)

With basic tools, the tune-up set, a spare injector or two and either the common gaskets or some gasket paper (to cut your own) nearly anything that doesn't require a head to come off can be fixed on a Detroit, and parts can be flown in anywhere if necessary - although it usually isn't as Detroits are common engines in commercial boats so there is typically pretty good support available.

I've got all this but I'm VERY conflicted about selling it. I have friends with Detroits and am occasionally asked to come help them with engine issues - if I sell my tools then I'm out of the "fix the Detroit" marketplace, and that's kind of a big deal, given that I really like working on this stuff for folks.

 

[egaito]

A top quality dvom and an ir thermometer. I prefer Fluke brand. Don't forget the dentist's mirrors and stripping/crimping tools. A large, random selection of hose clamps is your friend, along with the nut driver to install them.

We've already got the meter and ir thermometer...stripper and crimper are on the list, but I had forgotten the mirror!

How about power tools? I'm thinking a cordless set, 1/2 drill, maybe a recip saw for hacksaw jobs, and cutting the boat into small pieces if she makes me too mad.....

-Ed G.

 

[Genesis]

Ryobi cordless tool set - drill, sawzall and circ saw with batteries and charger. Very useful and enough power for most power tool jobs aboard. The circ saw will NOT cut 3/4" ply adequately but its ok for thinner stock and base wood like 2x4s.

 

[egaito]

Ryobi cordless tool set - drill, sawzall and circ saw with batteries and charger. Very useful and enough power for most power tool jobs aboard. The circ saw will NOT cut 3/4" ply adequately but its ok for thinner stock and base wood like 2x4s.

I'm more of a DeWalt guy than Ryobi, but that's the same kit I was looking at. I like having a jig-saw handy too and may add that to the mix.

-Ed

 

[smoothmove]

A couple of items have come in handy at times. A extending claw grabber for retreiving that odd nut that dropped into a crack. A small vise for working on any number of items. Sure beats trying to hold something with a vise-grip while drilling or filing. I also keep a big magnet on board in case I drop a screwdriver overboard and I don't feel like diving for it. Frankly I haven't needed this yet, but boy will I be ready for that scenario!

 

[Jackman]

By far the most valuable and cheapest tool I have on board has been a really good magnet my dad got from his boss as a gift (on the end of a pointer type thing...) I can't tell you how many expensive tools I've retrieved from the drink with this thing....out of the bilgers and cracks/crevices of the engine...anywhere. We even pulled the hole saw adapter from the drink with this thing..think about how much that weighs. I don't let the magnet leave the boat's toolbox when not in use!

 

[Nonchalant1]

The brand (I'm a Makita guy) doesn't matter as much as making sure there are at least 2 rechargeable NiMH batteries and the quick charger, plus the super flashlight that works with those batteries and sits on the battery as a base with a hinged light. My favorite "tool" is that very bright adjustable head, rechargeable flashlight that runs about 2 hours per charge. The NiMH batteries recharge in about 20 minutes and they last longer than 20 minutes in constant use, so you always have power.

Ryobi cordless tool set - drill, sawzall and circ saw with batteries and charger. Very useful and enough power for most power tool jobs aboard. The circ saw will NOT cut 3/4" ply adequately but its ok for thinner stock and base wood like 2x4s.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Another favorite of mine is to get a GearRatchet socket set instead of the regular socket set. Like this: http://www.tylertool.com/gearwrench4.html The big deal is that the socket drive wrench and the sockets and extensions have a hole through them that let you slide them down a long bolt. It's great. There used to be too many times that a deep well socket wouldn't fit or work.

If you don't get those, at least get a full assortment of the ratcheting flat wrenches like this: http://www.gearwrench.com/ratcheting_wrenches/xl_locking_flex_head/index.jsp These serve the same excellent purpose. I think you might be able to buy both of these items at a big Sears store.

Doug Shuman

 

[Nonchalant1]

Oh yeah.......and one of those little right angle screwdrivers with phillips and flat blade heads, either ratcheting or just a right angle bent shaft (cheap and works OK).

Also she'll need square head screwdrivers (sometimes called Hatteras-head screws) because they used them everywhere. Square head bits for a socket driver will suffice.

And some PB Blaster....but remind her that it makes the whole boat smell like sweet fuel oil if she uses it right before a charter.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Sounds like you just want the essentials for cruising. All previously mentioned would certainly come in handy at one time or another, but you are gonna need to tow a barge to carry everything. Careful planning will enable you to keep on board the essentials including parts. The only thing not mentioned is a hack saw along with a narrow "keyhole" saw - for sawing into tight places. And don't forget an OHM meter. And by the way, if you are like me, I've always kept cheap tools on the boat which may be a mistake because I use my boat tools far more than auto or home sets (I'll bet everyone who reads this concurs). Whatever, I hope you seldom haev to use 'em (Ha!).

Capt'n Bill

 

[MikeP]

Only thing I'd add to previous is a Jabsco RW impellor puller - mighty handy.

Also, re sockets and such - Snap-On's wobble extensions are really helpful.

And, if it wasn't mentioned, the engine and tranny shop manual, though not "tools" are absolutely essential.

 

[Liquid Asset]

I would have to say that you can not really have too many tools on the boat. What limits my tool collection aboard is purly space/weight constraints and where to store it. I never want to be caught out 100 miles from shore and nto be able to fix somthing just because I dont have the tool. There is not any reasson for the excuse if i could have "fixed it if I had the right tool"

 

[luckydave215]

If you have the room, (most of us do) bolt a big roll-away tool box in a corner of an engine room, pump room, or genny compartment. Second best is a mechanic's top box. Alll the tools in the world aren't worth bug spit if you have to look everywhere for them, especially in the dark, in a hurry.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I carry a plastic tool box, and rolls of the various wrenches. Those stay under the salon sofa (I don't have the space for storage that a 58YF does, which was the occasion for a rather funny thread a while back). However, I also have a small cloth zipper bag which has in it:
-ratcheting SnapOn screwdriver with eight or so bits, inc Robertson (sq dr)
-small ViseGrips
-dykes
-small adj wrench, a good one.

Those things seem to get used the most. I also have a separate box of electrical tools, which get used a fair amount: good strippers and crimpers, a variety of wire ends and splices, shrink tubing and a little butane torch for shrinking it on to the wire, a few kinds of spare wire, spare bulbs for everything, or at least most things, and lots of fuses.

The claw grabber on a stalk, and the mirror, and magnet are invaluable. Don't leave home without them

 

[Walter P]

Years ago Frank Huckins (owner and founder of Huckins Yachts) would respond to his customers complaints that the boat just doesn't seem to be as fast as it was when I bought it with a thorough inspection after which he would tell his customer to come back in a few hours and the boat would be "fixed" and the speed would be back.

Upon returning several hours later the customer would observe a large drop cloth covering something on the dock next to the boat. Upon lifting the drop cloth, the customer would see all his "stuff". Mr. Huckins obviously went a little far to make his point about overloading but it worked.

Now my point is that we all have a tendency to overload on "necessary" stuff. If your boat is fairly well maintained, we don't need to carry 800 lbs of tools around all the time. For local cruising basic tools should be enough. For fishing trips 100 miles offshore, it's a good idea to be prepared. If you're making a run from the NE to Fla, be prepared as well, but how many of us are really prepared to do major work especially on a trip? Some for sure but not too many are in Karl's league I'm sure... myself included.

Walt......

 

[Norm Mayer]

Like mentioned, many of the tools above are great, provided you can spare the room and weight. Two essentials NOT mentioned, no matter how small your tool inventory is, is a soldering gun (wiring problems are one of the most common on our aging boats) and a roll of good quality duct tape. Duct tape can patch many things together for a temporary fix!