Boats and Tools

[Lucid Moments]

My brothers B-day is coming up and one of the things he has asked for is a small tool kit to keep on his pontoon boat. This is for convenience and emergency. He is going to pay someone for any serious repairs. Are boats in the US these days mostly metric like cars, or mostly imperial? Or even worse a mix of the two? One of his son's in going to be giving him the tools, but has asked my advice and I would like to at least start down the right path.

 

[matt_i]

I think a set of screwdrivers, couple of adjustable wrenches and a 1/4" inch-metric socket set would get a lot of things done.

Most every boat has a battery, a cleaning tool/wire brush could be useful. Voltmeter would also be useful.

If the boat is trailered to the lake very often or very far, the tools to change a tire/wheel would be worth gold in certain applications. If the trailer has EZ lube hubs with zerk fittings then a small grease gun with storage case would be a really nice gift.

If occasional fishing is involved, hemostats and scissors can be helpful. If serious fishing is done then there's probably plenty of tackle already.

I have plenty of tools but cringe a little bit when taking things like a Fluke voltmeter to the lake, if something goes really wrong that's also going to be part of the loss....

 

[southalabama]

The most useful thing we added to the boat was a length of stiff wire. Amazing how many times a mud dauber will clog the water pump discharge hole.

 

[RTM]

A waterproof box is key. My used boat had an unknown leak where the top met the shell, and hard turns flooded my toolbox. Fixed both real quick. Mine was old, so everything was SAE.

 

[Ton ton]

Spark plug sockets, screwdrivers. Carb cleaning supplies. May need more information about the boat. Electrical tester.

 

[WILD-BILL]

This is the kit I carry on my 19' bow rider.....

Tool Set with Case, 130 Piece

Amazing deals on this 130Pc Tool Set With Case at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I also have a cheap test light, DVOM, wire spliceing/crimping tool and wire brush along with a length of wire and terminal assortment.

My boat is an 86 with an OMC 4cyl so fairly easy to work on and this kit, while not quality by any means, has proven to be good enough to handle anything that might come up on a trip out. It even allowed me to replace the bunk boards and carpet in a Home Depot parking lot one Sun evening. Only tool I had to buy was a staple gun and staples.

I figure if I need better tools to fix what's wrong, Chances are I don't have the parts on the boat to swap them out anyways.

 

[seber]

I would agree with the waterproof box. Start with that then worry about tools to go into it. Otherwise you will be buying those tools every time he goes out. Everything in a boat gets wet. Even in cabin cruisers. The only boat I ever had that was an exception was a houseboat, but even with that one, the toolbox saw water.

 

[tarmy]

We have several boats….and there are a few must haves in the tool box.

fuel line, duct tape, electrical tape, zip ties, basic screw drivers and pliers, flashlight, lighter, mirror (for looking under inboard engines), good knife to cut fishing line/rope on props, couple of shackles, good 25’ rope/line, tow rope for the boat, stuff others have mentioned too…

put a 20 dollar bill in it too…for gas in case the card doesn’t work or they forgot their wallet.

 

[joseywales]

A floatable box for tools might be nice. Stuff happens. You have the box out, and errant wave or wake comes and off it goes. could happen I guess.

 

[kelpaso1]

This is the kit I carry on my 19' bow rider.....

Tool Set with Case, 130 Piece

Amazing deals on this 130Pc Tool Set With Case at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I also have a cheap test light, DVOM, wire spliceing/crimping tool and wire brush along with a length of wire and terminal assortment.

My boat is an 86 with an OMC 4cyl so fairly easy to work on and this kit, while not quality by any means, has proven to be good enough to handle anything that might come up on a trip out. It even allowed me to replace the bunk boards and carpet in a Home Depot parking lot one Sun evening. Only tool I had to buy was a staple gun and staples.

I figure if I need better tools to fix what's wrong, Chances are I don't have the parts on the boat to swap them out anyways.

Why do they always have a claw hammer in those kits instead of a ball pein hammer? Never used a claw hammer fixing a car, blower, mower, etc.

 

[Ton ton]

I love claw hammers. Ball pein hammers are nice too. Probably be best to get both.

 

[Ton ton]

Maybe the boat is made with wood boards that need to replaced from time to time.

 

[Davefr]

We have several boats….and there are a few must haves in the tool box.

fuel line, duct tape, electrical tape, zip ties, basic screw drivers and pliers, flashlight, lighter, mirror (for looking under inboard engines), good knife to cut fishing line/rope on props, couple of shackles, good 25’ rope/line, tow rope for the boat, stuff others have mentioned too…

put a 20 dollar bill in it too…for gas in case the card doesn’t work or they forgot their wallet.

^^^What he said. I think those things are way more important then mechanics tools. Especially the knife, knives or maybe a Leatherman style multi tool. Does he already have things like a whistle, air horn, fire extinguisher, first aid kit? I'd think a lithium jump pack could come in handy. I also think any kit should include a spare drain plug.

 

[nev]

A leather man would make a really nice gift? A bit pricey. When I worked on boats I used it nearly every day. Was a handy addition for sure.

 

[FMB4]

Not sure if these count as 'tools', but appropriately sized oars for smaller powered boats.

 

[Dave455]

Gedore make a range of tools they call “corostop NC”. They are designed for a salt water environment and there’s a comprehensive range - screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, socket wrenches etc, which all have a protective coating.

Personally, I’d probably go for stainless steel, but you have to go to specialist makers for each tool type. Wera make stainless screwdrivers. They’re nice, I’ve got some. Use them on crappy screws as there’s no plating to damage.

Tsunoda make stainless pliers. Have yet to see these but suspect they are decent. Hazet offer a complete range of stainless sockets and accessories in 1/4“ drive. I can see these in my life…

My few friends with (admittedly small) boats seem to manage with relatively few tools - a couple of screwdrivers, plug socket and a multi tool. Everyone seems to love the multi tools - they do most of what’s needed and are all stainless!

 

[Dave455]

P.S. Has your brother got a decent knife?

I’m not always a huge fan of Spyderco’s, but the “salt” series seem to be highly regarded for corrosion resistance, and these Spyderco serrations are about the best thing for cutting that nylon rope you always seem to find on boats.

I once tried to cut this stuff using the blade in a friends multi tool (SOG Paratool), but it wasn’t having it!

 

[Jazz1]

Dont need much on a boat. Pliers, screwdrivers, maybe a 3/8” socket set. I bought a new Honda for my old scow and it came with a kit for basic motor maintenance, Metric of course.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Spark plug socket and spare plugs. A fouled plug can end your day in a hurry. Screwdrivers, pliers, an adjustable wrench, wire strippers, **** connectors, a length of wire (10-20ft of 16-18ga), cheapy multi meter, a 3/8 metric socket set, a good knife, electrical tape, zip ties, jumper cables and a prop wrench. Make sure you have a jack, socket, and bar for the trailer tires in the truck. If its a tandem you can get away with driving up on a board to change a tire. A spare hub set and grease as well for the trailer. A hub for the prop aint a bad idea either. Jumper cables can be replaced by a jump pack, or omitted if you do not have multiple batteries. Been boating for years and those are the most used items I can think of off the top of my head. If you have a trolling motor (bow mount electric) a spare prop and spare pull rope are a must.

 

[Skinny_Blinky]

Serrated blade knife here.