Box of bolts, screws, nuts and washers

[rwoodnz]

I'm looking to source a box of marine grade bolts, screws, nuts and washers to have on board the boat so a prepared for misc repairs.
Am in Europe. My google skills are not getting me far this time. Amazon and Ebay are proving particularly useless. I don't really need 1000 assorted washers or 500 bolts without nuts lol.
Any suggestions?

[LoudMusic]

I would actually take a quick inventory of what is in use on board and then go to a local hardware store and buy the parts you need, putting them into a sorting box.

I don't mean to inspect the boat in detail, counting every screw, but have a quick look around. In half an hour you can have a really good idea of what's there, and buy a handful of the 5 most common types.

[Reefmagnet]

Make up a list of of screws, nuts and bolts sizes and lengths you think you might need specific for your vessel, and take it to a fastener specialist. No use carrying around a whole lot of hardware that will never be used. You can also grab any specialist tools you need from them while at it.


Typically a collection of bolts from around 4mm to 10mm are needed (6 to 8mm seems to be the sweet spot on most boats). You can cut longer bolts down to length if needed. Conventional nuts and spring washers are better than nyloc nuts, imo, if by yourself because they're easier to tighten and undo if you're without a helper. Wood screws are the opposite, because you can't cut these down to size so get a good collection of countersunk and panhead varieties. Don't forget washers, including fender washers, and I'd also recommend grabbing some taps, drill bits and a wrench for creating and repairing threads while at it. Last but not least, a small collection of replacement blind rivets and appropriate riveting tool won't go astray either.


And don't worry. You could fill half your boat with nuts, bolts, screws and bits and bobs and you still will never have just the right fastener for the job and if by chance you do, you will most likely be one short and if, by some miracle, you have exactly the right size and quantity, it will be a dead certainty that you will drop one into either the ocean or an inaccessible part of the bilge as you attempt to finish the task you needed them for.

[sailormed]

With a Beneteau you need metric bolts. So being in Cyprus you can walk into local hardware shops.
Maybe you can even buy bolts, nuts and washer by the unit. I had this in Cialolella in Italy. The shopkeeper packed all the purchased items in a piece of magazine paper and I only had to pay xx cents for every nut and bolt. Fabulous!

[rwoodnz]

Thanks team. Not convinced I'll find marine grade stuff in a local tool shop, perhaps some bits and pieces at the chanderies.
Will take the advice of doing a bit of an audit first and then see what I can find locally. Although am thinking more than just repairs, but adhoc projects too. Got caught the other day with no screws or washers when needing to fasten a new solar regulator to a bulkhead.
Am still surprised there isn't a starter box of bits and pieces readily available online somewhere.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by rwoodnz

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Am still surprised there isn't a starter box of bits and pieces readily available online somewhere.

There's a reason for that. Like almost everything in boating, there simply is no one size fits all answer.


My boat is a mix of metric and SAE and it was built in the USA with a Universal engine - Kubota.


Over the years I have built up a collection of what you seek. Sometimes, like learning to sail, you just have to go out and get what YOU need, which is guaranteed to be slightly different than what the next guy needs, even with the same boat!!! Crazy, but true. He will break different things than you do!

[Zzmeyer]

On a different forum several mentioned www.seascrew.com

[coopec43]

Have you looked at eBay?

200pcs M5*8-25 Flat Head Stainless Steel SS304 Hex Screw Bolt Nut Assortment Kit

Brand new · Unbranded


M2.5 M3 M4 M5 Stainless Steel SS304 Screws Head Nuts Bolts Assortment Kit M2 SW

Brand new · Unbranded

[Allen Arin]

Make a requirement list as per your boat and reach to local store.

[coopec43]

I don't have your problem!!

Last week I decided I needed X2 M12 70mm SS bolt at $9 each = $18.
But I noticed I could buy X10 for $20. So now I have X8 bolts which may come in handy one day (if ever!)

I've got that many I have them stored in clear plastic boxes. (I think put them down in the keel and use them for further ballast).

[JPA Cate]

rwoodnz,

You're in Greece. Probably metric is what's available. Take a magnet with you (it's not foolproof, but will help. You want 316 stainless, and it is not magnetic, whereas 304 is.

Good luck. Getting good quality stainless might be a matter of trust, if you're certain of the supplier: otherwise, the magnet will help.

Ann

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

rwoodnz,
Take a magnet with you (it's not foolproof, but will help. You want 316 stainless, and it is not magnetic, whereas 304 is.

Ann

Yes you are right it is not foolproof

316 Stainless steel can become magnetic if cold-worked. I bought some 316 hinges on eBay and when I got them I tested them with a magnet and they were slightly magnetic. I accused the seller of being a cheat and demanded my money back. He went to the manufacturer (probably the largest in the world) and they assured him they were 316. I did some research and found.

Wrought, austenitic stainless steels, such as 304 and 316, are generally regarded as non-magnetic in the annealed condition, ie they are not attracted significantly by a magnet. However, if they are cold worked they will be attracted to a permanent magnet.

It was only the pin that was magnetic and presumably became magnetic when it was cold formed into shape.

(Of course I apologized profusely to the seller)

[StoneCrab]

Harbor Freight carries all sorts of starter kits. I've bought their trays of copper crush washers, o-rings, cotter pins, screws, nuts etc. They do carry stainless hardware. The best part of their offerings is that they come in plastic organizer cases.

[Shrew]

I have had an ever growing collection of 316 SS nuts, bolts, washers, screws (pan, oval, flat) that has grown over the last 12-13 years. Regardless I almost never have the right size, length or style. Right size, wrong length, or not enough. Bolts with no nuts or washers, nuts that don't match a bolt, or not enough of one or the other.

I have all but given up. To carry everything you need in the right size, type and quantity would make for a fairly large bag that would be unmanageable, or a very large organizer.

[briblack]

one thing I wish I'd known when I started into this . . .
don't use hardware store stainless (18-8, 304) on deck. maybe ok for interior, but big mistake when expose outdoors. i'm in the process of replacing them all.
i usually buy online from Bolt Depot. Great selection, prices, quick shipping and if there's a problem or mistake, they clear it up.