Proper C-Dory Toolbox

D

dread

New member
Joined
Apr 6, 2012
Messages
89
Reaction score
0
C Dory Year
2006
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Vessel Name
Tessa
I am tired of shlepping my tool box from home to boat and boat to Bolinas and need to build a tool collection to keep on the boat and in the dock box.

Christmas is coming and my wife and kids might give me a tool or two. So, starting with the tool box, what do you all think would make a good set of tools for a C-Dory? The more specific (size, brand, etc) the better? Does not have to fit in a stocking.
 
We carry our tools in a soft bag. Pliers: large water pump, needle nose, large and small Vise Grips. Wrenchs: 10" and 6" Cressent, set of ratchet in SAE and Metric Kobalt. Socket Set: 3/8" and 1/4" full set in metric and SAE. In the truck, I carry a 1/2" set with torque wrench and beaker bar.
Screw drivers: combination Irvine: multip, including Robertson #1 and #2, phillips, and slot. Intermediate double phillips/slot screw driver, Large screw driver blade in 3/8 socket set, for lower unit screws. Jewelers Screwdrivers set, as well as offset ratchet. Full Allen Key set in Metric and SAE. ViseGrip Chain or Strap Wrench to remove filters.

Digital volt meter and 12 volt trouble light. several 36" pieces of wire with alligator clips on each end. 12 feet of #14 wire. Small propane torch, with solder, heat shrink adhesive covering, Crimpers, with full set of fittings, including all wire sizes on the boat--both butt and ring connectors, as well as spade connectors.
Electrical tape, rescue tape,

Good wire strippers, and good pair of diagonal cutters.

SS wire, Electrical Zip Ties, multiple nuts bolts screws, fuses, the above electrical fittings, JB weld, 5 minute epoxy (in tubes), etc are all in a about 10" x 14" Plaino double sided tackle box.

I also carry a battery operated multi speed Dremel Tool, with a set of drill bits, and the collets for these, cutter from 1/8" to about 3/8", sanding drums, flat sanding discs, cut off wheels for plastic and metal, etc. This allows drilling almost any size hole I need from 1/16" up to over an inch.
 
Or you can just find out where Bob is boating and just follow him around within radio range. He's already got all the stuff and goes boating in a lot of cool places AND he knows how to use all his tools already. Just trying to save you weight and time and money!
 
I carry a bunch of various wrenches, screwdrivers and stuff. I have some wire ties in case the fuel filters get plugged, duck tape and a good anchor/rode. Most imortant I have a great DSC radio ready to broadcast my position when I get the big chest pains and an insurance policy that will pay $1000 for towing. In the southern Gulf Islands that's important.
 
One thing I left off the list--although it is covered with some socket sets, is a prop nut wrench--you can use water pump pliers, but there are some floating prop nut wrenches, which might save the day. (Along with an extra prop nut, and washers--and of course the spare prop.

I also failed to mention fuses--I carry not only the type I use, but an assortment of tubular types--because I have run into boaters (including new boats) where a fuse blew in the radio circuit…

I currently have gone to all LED lights, except the red and green navigation lights--which I do carry bulbs for.

For those with hydraulic steering, a length of hose, and hose clamps plus the bleeding set or a very small funnel, is a good idea along with spare hydraulic fluid. I also carry a spare primer bulb and filters for the outboards.
 
I confronted this problem when I built a small inboard powered cruiser, few years back. At first, I bought one of those socket sets and hand tool assortments, tossed it into an oversized ammo box, and called it good ... a couple episodes of not having the right socket, or end wrench, or large enough channel lock pliers [etc.], and I switched modes. Here is what I did.

Worked my way from the stern to the bow, checking each fastener, coupling, hose clamp, yadda yadda, making a list of what tool I needed for it, special care paid to need for a swivel head, offset head, or whatever if working in a tight space. Consolidated the list and organized it into groupings. Then I high graded my shop tools, stealing spares and extras to partially fill the list. Next went down to the local tool emporiums and completed the list. Put it all into a SMALLER ammo box and taped a list of everything on the lid. All of this took me most of a day.

Now I have what I need, selected for the idiosyncratic spaces in the boat, it all stays in the box, and NEVER gets traded out or mixed up with my shop tools. Done this way, the tool kit is small, light, and easy to pack away. Rarely, I have found I needed a strange tool, which got added, both inside and on the list.
 
All good ideas and I will restate it an additional time if it isn't becoming clear. It is very worth while keeping a set of appropriate tools on the boat all the time and not mixing them up with shop/home tools. I like tool rolls or soft bags for storage and use a waterproof box for electrical stuff and spares.

Greg
 
AstoriaDave":35xo2t09 said:
Worked my way from the stern to the bow, checking each fastener, coupling, hose clamp, yadda yadda, making a list of what tool I needed for it, special care paid to need for a swivel head, offset head, or whatever if working in a tight space...
Click to expand...

What a great idea :thup
 
A couple of tools that I find very useful to have in my tool box are a flexible four-claw parts grabber, and a small extendable inspection mirror.
 
I carry a few tools. Not being a mechanic, I probably have more than I can intelligently use, BUT, I also carry a Tow Boat US card with the unlimited towing. My preference is to be sure and get the regular PM done by the real mechanics.

Since Bob boats on the opposite end of the country from me most of the time, and my VHF dose not reach to Florida, I think the card is a reasonable investment.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_Honda_Power_2_B_ham_CBGT_2009_956.thumb.jpg
 
hardee":28seojw9 said:
I also carry a Tow Boat US card with the unlimited towing.... I think the card is a reasonable investment.
Click to expand...

I agree, but with one caveat, which is that many boating areas do not have a towing service available, so it's not something that can be used. However, for the areas that do have them available, it's certainly not a bad addition to the "tool box."
 
A vhf radio.

Even though I have basic tools on board, I have yet to use them. If I have repairs I do them at home. I don't travel which would change my tool selection. Then the tools would probably be in the truck.
 
1TUBERIDER":33hy1727 said:
I don't travel which would change my tool selection.
Click to expand...

That's a good distinction to make. I've never been a "day sailor" (with any sleep-aboard type boat), so I'm typically out for week(s) and so if I want it, it should be aboard or available locally. Everyone has their own way of boating, but it's a good point to think about, and so one "tool box" will likely not fit all.

Of course, everyone's input gives good ideas, even if the situation is not ultimately the same.
 
A lot depends on how remote an area you are going to be in. For example--no Sea Tow or Boat Us on Lake Powell, or in AK. (at least that I know of--in both of those areas, often other boaters are the "rescue").

There the other tack--and that is what I carry in my ditch bag--a Gerber multi tool, with several screw driver bits, a small Vise Grip, a 6" crescent wrench, Victorinox knife and a spark plug wrench. I have done a lot of "MacGyver" repairs with just those basics.

Why the extra wrench/sockets?--the outboard motor--how much of a repair are you going to under take? Sometimes you can help another boater out. Sometimes you can get the parts locally, and make the repair as you travel.

My boat tool bag does go on car trips--but not mingled with the shop tools or the RV set (which is far more extensive).
 
thataway":2q9dgqk6 said:
(Some deletions)

There the other tack--and that is what I carry in my ditch bag--a Gerber multi tool, with several screw driver bits, a small Vise Grip, a 6" crescent wrench, Victorinox knife and a spark plug wrench. I have done a lot of "MacGyver" repairs with just those basics.
Click to expand...

Bob- With your medical, electronic, and other skills, you could probably re-purpose a cell phone into a pacemaker!

Could you do it so one could still call out for pizza? :lol:

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Sea Wolf":3ag3ywgs said:
Bob- With your medical, electronic, and other skills, you could probably re-purpose a cell phone into a pacemaker!

Could you do it so one could still call out for pizza? :lol:

Joe.
Click to expand...

Is there an app for that?

Joe, closer to reality than you might imagine. Marie had a pacemaker at age 34, and we carried an extra pacemaker, full testing gear and complete surgical setup for replacement, when we crossed the Atlantic…..No pizza included! Now days, the roles could be reversed (since I also have a defibrillator /pacemaker)
 
thataway":1go2jvqi said:
Sometimes you can get the parts locally, and make the repair as you travel.
Click to expand...

This reminded me of another thing, which is that I often carry spares (for boat/car/RV) that I know I can't or won't install myself. However, if I can get to a repair facility, they can install it.

If I had to then find/ship the part, I might be there for eons and/or pay a mint for shipping. Or it might be Friday afternoon, etc. Although I don't make it a practice in normal life to go to repair facilities with "my own parts," they are usually very understanding (and even glad) if it's an "odd" part or a remote place. OTOH, if it's something they have, I'll typically buy it there and continue to keep my spare for future.
 
Yes, when cruising having back-ups for the critical parts is as important (or more so) as the tools to install them.
 
Back
Top