Boat tool kit

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Wood Zeppelin

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I wasn't sure if this was a "general" or "safety" topic. I went with safety, because I personally don't feel safe going on a boating adventure without at least some basic tools.

Here's my question: I got a "Mariners Tool Set" (Brand: GreatNeck). I'm pretty happy with it, except it's SAE (no Metric) and I have a HONDA Motor. There are also wiring tools, screw drivers, pliers, etc. But for turning bolts, the wrenches are SAE (inches).

Should I return it and look for a Metric version (off the top of my head, there doesn't seem to be many bolts on a C-dory boat itself.)? Or just grab some metric wrenches and have both options on-board?

Anyone have thoughts or advice on this?
 
I carried both metric and SAE open. end/box wrenches and 3/8" drive sockets (deep) in both SAE and Metric also. I kept these in a canvas bag. The box wrenches were kept in a canvas (sunbrella) tool roll we made. The sockets were in zip lock bags. Also carried a torque wrench.

Also carry vise grips in large and small, plus needle noise. Water pump pliers, small pipe wrench and medium ball peen hammer. There was a cold chisel/ punch set.

Screw driver, with also handle/socket set with 1/4" drive, and hex holder for bits.
Allen wrenches with both SAE and Metric.

A very good set of diagonal cutters (sized to cut the biggest fishhook easily. (for getting out of hands etc.)
 
Thanks Bob for mentioning some tool items that I am deficit on not having in my tool box. One item missing is the medium ball peen hammer. While boating well offshore or in a remote area and to not have the one necessary tool to complete a repair could be devastating. :thup
 
DayBreak":uk43snd2 said:
Thanks Bob for mentioning some tool items that I am deficit on not having in my tool box. One item missing is the medium ball peen hammer. While boating well offshore or in a remote area and to not have the one necessary tool to complete a repair could be devastating. :thup
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All of the above, but I also found a long-handled set of vice grips (i.e. Triplet TT-200) gets used for a lot of things, including reaching behind bars tanks to pick up a dropped nut, reaching to and pulling a line, and retrieving a valued lure from a Dogfish mouth.
 
I am not particularly fond of Harbor Freight’s tools for real everyday use, but I have more than one boat and I have one their all in one tool kits on each boat. I do customize the kit on each boat, to ensure that I have tools for their specific needs, like a socket, just for removing the prop and a spark plug socket, that actually fits the plugs on that specific outboard. Additionally, I have a simple strap wrench for fuel filter removal, as well as an inexpensive volt meter (the free ones that they give you at HF).
 
This thread has put together a really good collection of tools needed. There are two items that I have carried on my past boats that have come in very handy. A grab-all and a telescoping magnet. Perhaps not as useful on a Cdory as opposed to an inboard boat like an Atlas Acadia where things can get dropped under the motor into the keel bilge. I now need to go see if I have tools to remove that prop. Thanks.
 
robhwa":35qq9smk said:
All of the above, but I also found a long-handled set of vice grips (i.e. Triplet TT-200) gets used for a lot of things, including reaching behind bars tanks to pick up a dropped nut, reaching to and pulling a line, and retrieving a valued lure from a Dogfish mouth.
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Thank you for introducing a tool I had never seen. There is another vise grip which I have found very handy (and it sits in my bag of "traveling tools"--ones which I have only one of a tool, and it can be put in the RV, truck, boat etc.I also

That is the chain vise grip (yes Harbor freight has a knock off). The chain vise grip is really handy to capture or hold pipes, shafts, or even lock out surge brakes on a temporary basis (I would never travel with the chain vise grips on the trailer tongue.

tekton-all-trades-specialty-pliers-3960-64_1000.jpg

I also include in my travel tool bag, the grabber and magnet wand, But I do carry both a dental inspection and larger mirror on a wand, both in my Travel bag" and on the boat.

I didn't go into the electrical bag: Digital volt meter (travel bag has clamp on meter with ranges up to 400 volts AC and DC, to measure high amperage draw by clamping over the wire, instead of attempting a series measurement, limited to 10 amps as in most standard DVM.

In the electrical bag is solder and a low neat pencil soldering iron. I also have a small butane torch, which can be used with a larger soldering iron tip, hot air, fusing rope ends, cutting Sunbrella etc.A good ratchet crimper, multiple connectors in sizes from 2/00 to 24, heat shrink adhesive tubular shrink wrap insulation. The Kill-O-Watt meter, AC polarity meter, and pencil AC live wire finder, Wire cutter / stripper, small jumpers with alligator clamps, and at least 20 feet of #12 red wire (Marine grade) (and assorted pieces of black and red wire).

I also have a Dremel tool bag--for the boat or travel it is a rechargeable unit, amd a full assortment of steel/carbide & diamond bits, metal cutting discs, and sanding discs and drums. There is a small drill bit set with the appropriate mandrels.

These "extra tool bags" are kept at home ready to be tossed in the various vehicles as part of the "loading process"--just as much as the Li iron jump box, (which has all sorts of attachments for 12 volt use--USB, cig lighter, and alligator clamps, so I can use the portable jump pack to inflate the in dinghy on the roof top or anywhere away from a 12 volt source for the high pressure air pump. Also in the same "pile" are an extra set of binoculars, the Ear eTc communication sets, and my 14 x 42 Techno-stabil Funijon Binoculars.
 
I do not have one for my C-dory yet and it's also not as needed as my previous boat but I use to carry a pouch with an assortment of plug for all thru hull on the boat and a couple non reinforce wax ring (for setting toilet, I recommend new one), can be use to plug any size/shape hole in an hurry. It give you time to attend to other urgent things happening at the same time or get to a safer place for a more permanent fix. Usually need some form of backing but most anything can be use in an emergency.
 
Wood Zeppelin":2lvje38w said:
This is a great conversation, thanks all!

BTW, Does Honda have one of those "Motor tool kits" that are specific to their motors?
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I don't know--There are a number of speciality tools, used for specific engines rebuild. Have had full shop manuals for several of my Honda's and they give the part number of those very specialized tools. When needed, I have modified or built the tool needed (sometimes crude adaption of other tools).

I know that "Snap On" has a set of tools for the Honda cars, which is over $8,000. I have all of those tools plus a lot more in my shop tool boxes. A few of my tools are from 2 generations back and are over 100 years old (a few spanners, but mostly hand wood working tools--and often the most fun to use!).
 
Wood Zeppelin":20up34ex said:
This is a great conversation, thanks all!

BTW, Does Honda have one of those "Motor tool kits" that are specific to their motors?
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Yes, there are a few tools. Spark plug wrench, a screwdriver, few other things. These are meant for basic things that you can reasonably do on a boat in the water. They are not meant for anything more than that. For instance, there is a tool to remove the oil drain plug, but nothing that will let you change the impeller.
 
Perhaps there can be a "Minimalist" list for those of us who primarily day trip and may do overnights in largely protected / well -traveled waters?

I'm having enough problems storing cleaning supplies, PFDs, towels, bimini top, fishing gear, and a few other odds and ends.

Or is this a corollary to the old aviation saw that the airplane can't fly until the weight of the paperwork exceeds the max gross weight of the aircraft?
 
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