Tools for Ocean Voyage

[Reiziger]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

OK, I'll bite, what are the nails for? I would think anything you would use nails for SS screws would be better?

What you think of building a shelter on a tropical beach in the rain season...

[JK n Smitty]

I have attached my tools inventory. I also included a photo of the tool bag I use. I keep this on a Catalina 310.

In addition, I have spare screws, nuts, bolts, engine parts, hose, hose clamps, electric wire, electric crimp connectors, etc. I have lists of those as well and this winter I am working on reorganizing and documenting where all of this stuff is located.

We are also working on a sail repair kit. The s/v Red Thread did a good post on their sail repair kit. Ours will likely be smaller and less equipped due to our cruising plans. Theirs is good for an ocean crossing kit.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

[Steadman Uhlich]

Several good suggestions already posted by others.

Here are a few that come to my mind:

1. Bolt Cutters (in case of dismasting)
2. Hacksaw with multiple blades

3. Small hand saw for cutting wood quickly.
4. Hand axe
5. Crow bar (pry bar)

6. Small powerful magnet on a stick (telescoping or not) for retrieving metal things from hard to reach places under the engine or in the bilge etc.

7. Very Small mirror on a stick (to see in hard to reach places)
8. Very small butane torch (or big cig lighter)

9. File
10. Clamps
11. Magnifying glass that is held by a clamp or third hand (I am getting old!)

12. Vise

13. Handy Billy

14. Caulk gun with your favorite sealant when you find the inevitable leaks while underway.

[Peter_G4...]

All good advice above.
I find that, when doing maintenance on my boat I avoid the temptation to take tools from home. That way I am forced to use those kept on the boat, remember where they are, what works, what fits, what doesn't, what is missing etc..

[estarzinger]

I had a 'frequently used' sewing/rigging bag, an electrical bag, and a mechanical bag.
There was nothing particularly surprising in any of those, but I am not sure if an adjustable strap filter wrench has been mentioned yet (for engine filters, but also useful for jar screw lids).

Then I had less frequently used tools. Taps and dies and helicoils were life savers several times. A compact 5 ton hydraulic jack was also really useful a couple times. A BIG adjustable wrench and a BIG hammer are useful. There's lots of debates about how best to cut rigging - try your bolt cutters before you commit to them - they are usually pretty damn difficult with any decent size rigging.

[Bulawayo]

Invest a few dollars in Nigel Calders Boat Owners mechamical and Electrical Maintainance book. It is a wealth of information. Inevitably, the tool you need has either just fallen over board or you never had it!!

[Delancey]

Ring shank nails are expedient and require relatively little dexterity yet provide significant holding power. Ya just beat the damn things with a hammer.

Of course bring lots of screws but when speed counts or your cordless driver is dead, fifty cents worth of big fat nails might just save the day.

You're probably going to be bending nails on any FRP layup over a 1/4" thick without drilling pilot holes, but for cored decks and hulls, strip planked boats, or plywood they can be a very quick problem solver.

Pilot holes can be had with a hand drill that will still work when wet. Alternately you can pilot using a center punch or nail set to break through the glass and the nails will still provide some holding, hopefully long enough for the caulking to set. Put a lanyard on your hammer.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

There's lots of debates about how best to cut rigging - try your bolt cutters before you commit to them - they are usually pretty damn difficult with any decent size rigging.

TO Evans: Understood and agree.

Here is a video showing the Yachting magazine test or Crash Boat episode showing the use of ordinary bolt cutters and a hydraulic (hand held) bolt/cable cutter (more expensive but much easier to use).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-jqwkNXMIY

____________

TO the OP: There are other items shown in use on other videos you can find on Youtube (more videos from the Crash Boat Series), including the use of bungs and plugs (plastic or wood) and putty for plugging leaks. I recommend you view those videos as the results of testing demonstrate how different types of tools work or work more effectively to do the job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUg3TUmnQBs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5PDuXvqL7c

[um saudade]

I posted this once under a thread for spares for extended cruising but the theme remains valid, I think.


I have seen some good ideas in the above posts and I will heed them. I have purchased a Mag 77 saw, cut down two pounds right there!
__________________________________________________ _____________




Rebuild parts for windvane including air vane, paddle, bearings, line and sheaves
Rebuild parts for autohelm
Air-X bearings and blades
One complete back-up laptop(identical to the primary with same software installed)
Another set of complete software on thumb drives
As many manuals as you can get on the hard drive
Paper manuals for the rest
Spare batteries (I use rechargeable AA mostly)
Charger for above
Handheld GPS
Backup GPS for laptop
Little short-wave radio in case of HF failure
Sextant and small chromometer(I know this will catch hell from the new generation sailors)
Basic paper charts in a waterproof tube for the life raft
Watermaker spares and rebuild including membrane kit
Small hand pump for culinary water transfer
Pump rebuild kits with extra impellers
One anchor and chain stowed below
Hooka, dive gear
Lots of scrubby pads for hull cleaning
Propeller and puller
Shaft packing
Cutless bearing
5 shaft zincs,
5 strut zincs
One each: all halyards and sheets
Misc spare lines
Spare blocks and extra snatch blocks
Complete set of new sails stored below
Couple of handy-billyies ready to go
Sewing kit including spare snaps, common sense fasteners and the tools for same.
Sail tape
Sail cloth
Plastic tarps
A way to get up the mast (I carry a mastmate and enough rock climbing gear to skinny up about any time I need to)
Traveler parts
Winch kits
Windlass parts
Back-up Charge Controller
Electric wire of all sizes
Electric terminals, connectors, shrink, tape, Scotchkote, switches
Fuseholders, all fuses from the battery mains down to .25 amp
Couple spare breakers
Couple of spare led fixture lights
Spare bulbs for all incandescent on board
Zip ties in various sizes
　
Electric solder gun
Butane solder gun
Spare RG-213 and UHF connectors
Riggable HF antenna
Emergency VHF antenna
Bolts, nuts, screws, machine screws
Alternator
Alternator parts
Starter rebuild parts
Thermostat, thermostat housing
Common engine spares X 2
Overhaul gasket set plus
Head gasket
Exhaust gasket
Heat exchanger end gaskets
Heat exchanger zincs
Exhaust wrap
Lots of ideal(pipe)clamps
Pipe dope
Anti-seize
Couple different gasket compounds
Stainless wire in several different sizes
5100 fast set (emergency only)
4000/4100 in big tubes and small ones
Construction adhesive
Water pump grease
Lanocote
Assorted valves
All sizes of engine hose including some exhaust hose
Some of all the other hoses used on the boat especially 11/2 inch sanitary because you can’t take it apart without ruining the end.
Various pipe nipples, brass fittings, hose barbs --some as spares for various jobs and others just in case you need cobble up a new or different gizmo.
Head pump assembly
Head pump extra parts
Spare seacocks
Macerator parts
Extra kerosene stove burners and parts
Alcohol to preheat those nasty old kerosene burners
Many long necked fire starters for stove, lamps, heater
Extra carb for diesel cabin heat
Extra bicycle pump
Dinghy valves
Inflatable pump
Inflatable repair kit
Spare oar
Dinghy engine parts including water pump, hypoid, engine oil, spark plugs, and ignition module.
About the same for generator with the exception of the water pump!
A couple of fuel priming bulbs, in line filters and some good lengths of fuel line (this can transfer fuel in any condition without spilling and can be used to supply engine fuel if something gets screwed up in the tank pick-up or the line to the engine or even the primary fuel pump.
5 gal water jugs filled (I run the watermaker discharge to two five gallon cans and then transfer to the boat tanks) If I need abandon ship at least one is always full and ready to throw into the liferaft)
One 1x19 cable at least as long as the longest standing rigging on the boat.
Couple of short sections of 1X19 with lots of Crosby clamps
One spare turnbuckle
Rebuild parts for all the take-apart rigging fittings
Lots of cotter keys and cotter rings
Lots of spare shackles
Precut plywood for all the different portlight sizes, plywood for deck hatch emergency repair. All this is pre-drilled with bolts attached to make a two-part sandwich of the plywood.
Gallon of West System with some cloth, mat and thickeners
Sandpaper, rasps, primer
Small pieces of various shapes of aluminum and stainless(rod, flat stock, angle, etc)
Various pieces of lumber in hardwood and softwood, plywood of ¼, ½, and ¾ sizes
Spare compass (my spare is not balanced for Southern Hemisphere though)
　
All the tools needed to effectively use the above listed items plus
Skilsaw
Saber saw
1/8 electric die grinder
3/8 angle drill
1/2 electric drill
Battery drill
Drill bits in steel, wood and hole saws in comon sizes.
Taps and dies
Thread chasers for pipe thread
Big crowbar
"BIG" hammer
Hand saws including hacksaw and lots of blades
Torque wrench
Pipe wrenches
Adjustable spud wrench
Good electric meter and a small backup multimeter
Small vise
Files in all sizes.
Duct tape
　
I don’t carry a bolt cutter, too much weight.

I’m sure I forgot a bunch but you get the idea.

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

A realy big hammer , technical tap, for the administration thereof.
Socket set, metric and imperial.
Ratchet ring spanners,
Very very tiny screwdrivers.
Vise-grips, assorted.
Allen keys, metric and imperial.
Drill and assorted bits.
Nutdriver thingoes.
Assorted punches and a cold chisel.
Hacksaw.
Angle grinder,
Heat gun.
Pliers, assorted.

That would be a start.

I assume that you are aware of the fact that ocean preparation = the art of check lists preparation and checking off.
Tools list above (is as said) good start.
You may consider the following:
Good multitool (like Victorinox or Leatherman) to carry on your person at all times.
Splicing set ( but you need to know how to work with it).
Avometer to check electrical circuits (&/or 12v tester).
Crimper.
Soldering tools (assuming you have an inverter to use when needed).

Good luck

[Stu Jackson]

Great lists here. Guess you now don't have to bother doing a search on TOOLS.

Have a safe trip.

[Dr. Sea]

[QUOTE=um saudade;1702711]I posted this once under a thread for spares for extended cruising but the theme remains valid, I think.


I have seen some good ideas in the above posts and I will heed them. I have purchased a Mag 77 saw, cut down two pounds right there!
__________________________________________________ _____________

This is a very valuable list of spares that complements the terrific lists of tools that contributors to this thread have offered. About the Skil saw: I'm leaning toward taking a lithium rechargeable reciprocating saw instead of a circular power saw or a jig saw, along with a hack saw and a small hand saw. Other than size and cost, what do you think about the usefulness of a reciprocating saw for extended cruising?

[Cheechako]

Don't forget tools to adjust your stuffing box. These need to be tried out before leaving as it often takes a special type for your boat and due to the restricted room to work...
also, oil changing system....

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sea

I will take a Lithium cordless drill and bits. I'm wondering about what kind of saw(s) I might need besides a hacksaw. One item I plan to take that hasn't been mentioned is a bolt cutter for cutting away rigging if necessary .....

A Japanese pull saw... just cos they are pretty cool.

The best way of getting rid of a rig may involve the hacksaw together with the great big hammer and a big enough punch to drive out your clevis pins... don't ask me how I know this.....

[mikefp60]

I am just back home now from the trip you are describing. Left St Lucia in January. Mackay Australia in September. And lots of great spots in between. Boat is on the hard there for cyclone season. Did the run with the World ARC.

Some great advice given here in these submissions. I carried just about everything listed. And used a heck of a lot of them. Fixing your boat in exotic places and all. Also went through impellers and an alternator.

And one tremendous benefit about being with the ARC…. If you don’t have it one of your fellow sailors probably does.

My most frequently loaned out tools were a fuel polishing setup, a heat gun, my grommet/snap tools and my hookah.

Things that I did not have but ended up needing. A new generator, a rebuild for the anchor windlass, a motor for the dingy, a 24 volt house bank charger, a high pressure diesel fuel pump, a motor mount. To name just a few notable ones. You will break a few things on that trip for sure.

Good luck and fair winds.

Mike
S/V Vivo