Tool kit essentials

[Eric55AMG]

Looking to make use of this winter downtime and thought I'd  build a tool kit for the boat.

What have folks found to be essential tool kits for the boat.

My goal is to have enough on board tools that I can address most issues that arise, as well as annual maintenance (I do 99.9% of all my own wrenching).

I'll probably keep a spare set of impellers on board just as insurance.

There are places like Home Depot, Lowes, Autozone close by the lake too, so if I miss something, it's not the end of the world.

What am I missing?

Blade & Phillips  screw driver   (short & long)
Pliers  (standard and needle nose)
Dikes
Side cutters
Channel locks
Crescent wrench (8")
Small set of metric & SAE wrenches
Small 1/4 inch standard and deep sockets (metric & SAE)
Small 3/8 inch standard and deep sockets (metric & SAE) probably all 6-pt
Set of Allen wrenches (metric & SAE)
Set of torx bits
Spark plug socket (need to figure out the right size for the VP 8.1)
Various extensions and universals
Electrical tape
Duct tape
Thread tape
Zip ties

Eventually I'll get a scanner for the boat, but need to research  that more.

Having never had a water system or vacuuflush head before ... are there additional essential tools folks would recommend? 

[NautiGirl]

Some great ideas here. We boat at a lake about 40 minutes from the closet "town" so I have tried to build up a small tool kit as well. Here is a thread we started about a year ago with some additional good items: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=553

After seeing two cars and a R5 need a jump at the ramp I have thrown a cheap jump box in my kit as well. Yes, the R5 managed to run down BOTH batteries and didn’t realize it until he was off the trailer and in the water. We have a picture somewhere of the R5 next to our 190 trying to jump it. It was perhaps the wife’s proudest moment in boating. I think it took everything in her power to not say “sure I will jump your 100k boat /w my 20 year old 190, no problem".

Also I would add fluids to that list. I keep some engine oil, gear lube, and brake fluid all in our storage shed at the lake. Also, flashlight, maybe a 4 way for taking off trailer lugs - course you should have that covered /w the socket set.

[AsLan7]

Looking to make use of this winter downtime and thought I'd  build a tool kit for the boat.

What have folks found to be essential tool kits for the boat.

My goal is to have enough on board tools that I can address most issues that arise, as well as annual maintenance (I do 99.9% of all my own wrenching).

I'll probably keep a spare set of impellers on board just as insurance.

There are places like Home Depot, Lowes, Autozone close by the lake too, so if I miss something, it's not the end of the world.

What am I missing?

Blade & Phillips  screw driver   (short & long)
Pliers  (standard and needle nose)
Dikes
Side cutters
Channel locks
Crescent wrench (8")
Small set of metric & SAE wrenches
Small 1/4 inch standard and deep sockets (metric & SAE)
Small 3/8 inch standard and deep sockets (metric & SAE) probably all 6-pt
Set of Allen wrenches (metric & SAE)
Set of torx bits
Spark plug socket (need to figure out the right size for the VP 8.1)
Various extensions and universals
Electrical tape
Duct tape
Thread tape
Zip ties

Eventually I'll get a scanner for the boat, but need to research  that more.

Having never had a water system or vacuuflush head before ... are there additional essential tools folks would recommend? 

.

That's a great list, Eric.

I built a nice tool kit for my boat over the summer that is compact, yet will handle just about every contingency. I plan on taking a pic of the setup and posting on the site in the spring.

Your tool kit is very similar. Everything you have on yours is also contained in ours.

I started with the Hyper Tough Tool bag from Walmart for $5.47 and fit everything into it.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough- ... s/50801825

tough bag.jpeg

.

Off the top of my head, some ADDITIONAL items to consider that we purchased....

- small LED flashlight (which back's up your phone and/or battery pack flashlight)
- clear silicone
- black silicone
- gasket seal
- rubber gasket material
- JB weld
- WD40
- 550 parachute cord
- Folding utility knife
- heavy duty scissors
- latex rubber gloves
- "dental pick" type instruments
- "dental type" extendable mirror
- extendable magnet
- small hammer
- spare zip lock sandwich/freezer bags for any small parts disassembled while on the water
- "S" type" phillip's head and flat head screw drivers for hard to reach areas
- VLP vinyl repair
.....great to stop vinyl tears from worsening ( https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1 )
- portable power pack that will start a big block (INVALUABLE!)
.....here's the one I have for 425HP (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1)

boost.jpg

We also went to our local ACE hardware and purchased various STAINLESS STEEL nuts, washers, fender washers, bolts, hose clamps of all shapes and sizes. Then store them in a freezer bag. These have proven invaluable over the years.

Also carry one quart of oil, out-drive fluid, power steering fluid, & ATF fluid (for bennett HPU).

We also carry a prop removal wrench so you can replace the bent prop you just crushed on the rocks with a spare (which we also carry).

Again, I'll post pics in the spring. I do know after assisting tech's with the engine pull in October, everything they used was also available in my tool bag. Thus, other than the lifting crane, I know I have enough in this little tough tool bag to do an engine pull.

Hope this helps a little.
(next we will build a first aid kit)
.

[Eric55AMG]

Doh! Missed the previous thread (Hate creating duplicate threads).

All great additional recommendations. I'll review the other thread as well.

Probably should move this one over to the Maintenance and Storage section too so we keep the house clean.

[AsLan7]

Doh! Missed the previous thread (Hate creating duplicate threads).

All great additional recommendations. I'll review the other thread as well.

Probably should move this one over to the Maintenance and Storage section too so we keep the house clean.

No worries....Admin John will keep the house clean.

[NautiGirl]

Eh - may actually be good to start a new thread. The last one turned into making fun of BBP instead of actually talking about tools. Tends to happen around here.

Pot The Jus!

[Ytmsn]

Making fun of BB or talking tools?

[AsLan7]

Making fun of BB or talking tools?

[Tuscany]

I keep it simple. I can fix a blown engine or a broken propeller with high quality duct tape and popsicle sticks.

[Ytmsn]

And dont forget bailing wire! Or in my part of the country "whare".

My kit:
Whare
Tape
Beer
One pretty good screwdriver
One pretty bad one
Plairs ( for when I can't find my opener)
Beer bottle opener
Fuses
Flashlight (dead batteries)
Empty beer cans

[Driller]

Some great ideas here. We boat at a lake about 40 minutes from the closet "town" so I have tried to build up a small tool kit as well. Here is a thread we started about a year ago with some additional good items: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=553

After seeing two cars and a R5 need a jump at the ramp I have thrown a cheap jump box in my kit as well. Yes, the R5 managed to run down BOTH batteries and didn’t realize it until he was off the trailer and in the water. We have a picture somewhere of the R5 next to our 190 trying to jump it. It was perhaps the wife’s proudest moment in boating. I think it took everything in her power to not say “sure I will jump your 100k boat /w my 20 year old 190, no problem".

Also I would add fluids to that list. I keep some engine oil, gear lube, and brake fluid all in our storage shed at the lake. Also, flashlight, maybe a 4 way for taking off trailer lugs - course you should have that covered /w the socket set.

+1 on the jump box and the flashlight.

I bought this one from Northern Tool add added a few items including duct tape, hose clamps, super glue, and a waterproof bag for it. I won't use it everyday, really a just-in-case kit, and I was satisfied with the quality considering the price. Compact bag and still room for everything including the jump box inside.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... _200649558

[cmattj]

Great list people! It's great to refresh our kits and build in what failures bring us to new adds..

I recently added 3/4 and 5/8 hose splice kits with some clamps. Yes I lost a 29 cent zip tie that let a hose rub on the pulley. ( right in the center)At least I had twins to idle Home.

[Tuscany]

And dont forget bailing wire! Or in my part of the country "whare".

My kit:
Whare
Tape
Beer
One pretty good screwdriver
One pretty bad one
Plairs ( for when I can't find my opener)
Beer bottle opener
Fuses
Flashlight (dead batteries)
Empty beer cans

Plairs
Bad screwdriver
Dead AA batteries

Haha, I just carry a socket set, a 4 way screw driver, plairs, and a cell phone in case I need to call a Pizza Hut..

[Ytmsn]

And dont forget bailing wire! Or in my part of the country "whare".

My kit:
Whare
Tape
Beer
One pretty good screwdriver
One pretty bad one
Plairs ( for when I can't find my opener)
Beer bottle opener
Fuses
Flashlight (dead batteries)
Empty beer cans

Plairs
Bad screwdriver
Dead AA batteries

Haha, I just carry a socket set, a 4 way screw driver, plairs, and a cell phone in case I need to call a Pizza Hut..

Ha! That's my main tool too! I always carry my phone to call the ranger or one of my buddies to drag me back in.

[jhnmdahl]

Doh! Missed the previous thread (Hate creating duplicate threads).

All great additional recommendations. I'll review the other thread as well.

Probably should move this one over to the Maintenance and Storage section too so we keep the house clean.

No worries....Admin John will keep the house clean.

Nothing wrong with revisiting a topic like this and having a new discussion...