Must-have tools aboard

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Colorado Jim

As a newbie looking for advice outfitting my first boat: what are the must-have tools for life aboard? Perhaps those replying can list the top five essentials or even those tools they didn't think they would need but have since found invaluable or at least those that are necessary but are not available or really expensive outside of the US. Thanks for your suggestions.

I doubt that will be an issue, tools...like foodstuffs...are available outside the US...surprising though that may be to some.

The issue is that when you you want a tool Ping's First Law of Availability says that you wont be in a position to pop down to the shops and buy one.

[atoll]

...A round twoit and a sky vice

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Good thing she doesn't lurk here ... at least I don't think she does.

Arizona deep. My sailing blog has turned into tales from the dry, cold deserts of America. Ah well, this too shall pass.

Six weeks ago I could have written exactly that except substitute Colorado and Texas for Arizona.

But we back on de island now, mon.

[iancoombe]

WD 40 to get things moving and duct tape to stop things moving.
Seriously 2 things we have used alot are easyouts and helicoils, maybe its just an older boat thing
Cheers

[Xantho]

I use only AWAB hose clamps. There is a special nut driver with a long flexible shaft that fits the screw heads of all sizes of AWAB hose clamps. I would never be without it.

[a64pilot]

big container of good, pumice containing hand cleaner, and plenty of rags, and those "magic" pads that absorb fuel and oil, but not water.

[steamgoat]

If you intend doing any work on the boat…….a vacuum cleaner.

[Muckle Flugga]

Well, the long list is… long. I attach a couple of photos which combined are around 80% of my boat toolkit, acquired over the years, but not including any spares boxes, chandlery boxes, electric connector boxes, wire, etc etc.

If I were to say the top 5, "must have" essentials it would be:

1. COMPLETE ratchet set in both metric and imperial, including complete spanner set + 1/4' drive etc (I kinda consider these all "one" item, though in fact several) Bahco are my favorite brand, in this class.

2. Tool roll of many sizes of screwdriver, from big to small, including at least one of each kind of "stubby" and one ratcheting screwdriver with interchangeable bits, and of course comprehensive bit set. (Again this is more of a "class" but still invaluable, as few people realise the importance of having a properly matched screwdriver for each particular job. And there are many.

3. Professional grade quick action wire strippers and crimps and associated terminals and heatshrinks.

4. Hilti (Preferably) or Makita or De Walt screwgun with extra battery + assorted bits.

5. Heat gun. For freeing frozen/jammed parts, heatshrink, but above all for making hoses manageable to take off/put on.

Oh, and a range of adjustable wrenches and grips, both locking and non are also indispensable, as are complete sets of both metric and imperial Allen or Hex keys, preferably by Bondhus. Damn. Just couldn't even keep it to five "classes". … so much more to want/need/covet.

High on the more specialist list, perhaps top, would be a copper/leather mallet, for freeing things which may otherwise be cracked with a steel hammer. Such a mallet with a steel or wood drift has saved me many days of frustration. You can see one in the top right of the tool rolls photo. Also completely indispensable and really needs to be in the top 5 is a high quality multitester. The latter a MUST have.

And don't forget the fine tools… like a good set of picks. Likewise indispensible.

But this really depends on the size and complexity of the boat you own, or else live/work on.

[DrivinSteve]

Originally Posted by Colorado Jim

As a newbie looking for advice outfitting my first boat: what are the must-have tools for life aboard? Perhaps those replying can list the top five essentials or even those tools they didn't think they would need but have since found invaluable or at least those that are necessary but are not available or really expensive outside of the US. Thanks for your suggestions.

Turkey baster with spare tubing
flex spring grab tool
small machinist vise
c clamp
small screwdrivers for electronics
small butane torch
Flyswatter

[puffcard]

Everything suggested is good. Add these.
Spring clips, many uses clothesline to holding things
Tape measure and yard stick
Sharp retractable blade, razor
Wire brush and good bits for drill
SS hand wire brush
Dead blow hammer
Ratcheting boxend wrenches
Magnetic pickup tool
Sandpaper
Acetone
Sealants
Form-a-gasket
Thick Teflon tape. Not the thin white stuff
White electrical tape, lots
Self bonding tape, emergency
Hose clamps lots
SS screws and bolts in box, lots
Small jewelry screw driver set
Eye glass repair kit
Sail repair kit
Splicing kit, w/fid & spike
Then spare parts, oil filter, fuel filter, belts, water pump, impeller, etc.
Sorry for any repeats.

[Muckle Flugga]

Originally Posted by DrivinSteve

Turkey baster with spare tubing
flex spring grab tool
small machinist vise
c clamp
small screwdrivers for electronics
small butane torch
Flyswatter

All yes but especially grabber!

[belizesailor]

Hasn't this been done once recently? I recall an almost identical thread. I would search for it, but the mobile app search S-U-X (not so subtle hint CF !).

[alctel]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Good thing she doesn't lurk here ... at least I don't think she does.

Arizona deep. My sailing blog has turned into tales from the dry, cold deserts of America. Ah well, this too shall pass.

You are not missing much in the PNW, we just had ten days of storms.

Already been said but a good ratcheting crimper and decent wire cutter are essential

A ton of my storage space is dedicated to tools though, I think I have a problem. I even crammed in a drillpress!

[thomm225]

You may want to have a couple stuffing box wrenches on board. I have this type:

SEAFIT Adjustable Packing Nut Wrench | West Marine

[Stu Jackson]

You can answer this question by doing a search on tools. Before I get flamed for doing the "tell a poster to do a search", I suggest this because the last tools discussion went for ten pages and this one's only up to two!

The earlier tools discussion also had lots of links, like this one:

ICW and the Bahamas

under ICW, click on the journal link, there's an appendix with a great tool list.

Calder's book has a list of tools, too.

You start small and build up to have what YOU need for the boat, systems (electrical, plumbing) and engine work you need to do.

Good luck.