Looking for ideas around tool storage in the Engine Room

NotHerDecision

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2016
2,173
Houston, Texas
Boat Info
2001 Sea Ray 460 Sundancer
2014 Seadoo 155 LTD
2105 Seadoo 130 SE
2013 Mercury Dinghy
Engines
Cummins 6CTA 8.3L
Hey everyone, I am looking to install some version of tool storage in my ER. I have looked at truck mounted boxes, pelican cases...etc. What are you all using?

Josh
 
For me, I find it's easier to keep tools in their cases and put the cases into bins that are secured to the bilge "shelf" area. I try to buy sets that come in durable cases. For loose tools - and extras like tape, zip ties, specialty tools, DVM, etc, etc - I use a soft-sided tool bag.

If I had a permanent tool chest with slide out drawers, I'd be constantly going in and out of the bilge... you know how it is... Climb down into the bilge, grab a wrench, climb out of the bilge (if you're working somewhere else on the boat), put the wrench on the nut and realize you have the wrong one. Back down into the bilge, get the right one, back out of the bilge and back to the nut. When you're done, put the wrench you just used away... but can't find the first one you pulled out of the toolbox. Spend 12 minutes looking all over the place, only to find it was right under your feet.

For my size boat, a couple milk crates worked well. They're open (won't hold moisture), strong and easy to screw down to the shelf. Rubbermaid bins could work well, too - maybe drill some drainage holes along with holes in the sides so you don't get mold growing on stuff. One of the crates I used for extra oil, filters, etc, as well.
 
I keep my tools and most spares in the cabin underfloor storage for a dry environment and easy access. Fluids and some spares (in a waterproof box) are only kept in the bilge in a modified storage tub mounted on the integral swim platform shelf.
 
LD

I laugh at your comment! Sounds just like me running all over the boat looking for a tool. Either way I’m either having to go below in the hatch or go to my engine room. I think I prefer the engine room but only time will tell.

I’m thinking maybe something like this...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000...k+tool+box&dpPl=1&dpID=41Mj46tsEOL&ref=plSrch

Who knows, I’m hoping someone on the board has this all figured out!
 
I prefer the soft sided tool bags. Have a larger one and a small one. Most projects around the boat the smaller one works to grab and carry wherever I am.

Seems like with the bags there are more options of places it fits.
 
i keep some fairly nice tools in my dock box and my truck tool box for in-depth repairs to be made at the dock....I keep this cheap set from Harbor Freight on the boat in case it is needed while the boat is away from the dock....I find my self grabbing the cheap HF kit 90% of the time even at the dock because it is readily available and easy to carry from place to place...

obviously not great quality tools but sufficient....and if I drop them in the water no big loss....

cliff

https://www.harborfreight.com/130-pc-tool-set-with-case-63091.html

63091_zzz_500.jpg
 
I looked at some bags tonight. I still think I want something mounted more permanent. I’ll get creative and report back. Still very interested in what any of you have done.
 
i keep some fairly nice tools in my dock box and my truck tool box for in-depth repairs to be made at the dock....I keep this cheap set from Harbor Freight on the boat in case it is needed while the boat is away from the dock....I find my self grabbing the cheap HF kit 90% of the time even at the dock because it is readily available and easy to carry from place to place...

obviously not great quality tools but sufficient....and if I drop them in the water no big loss....

cliff

https://www.harborfreight.com/130-pc-tool-set-with-case-63091.html

View attachment 53102
I have the same set on my boat.
 
i keep some fairly nice tools in my dock box and my truck tool box for in-depth repairs to be made at the dock....I keep this cheap set from Harbor Freight on the boat in case it is needed while the boat is away from the dock....I find my self grabbing the cheap HF kit 90% of the time even at the dock because it is readily available and easy to carry from place to place...

obviously not great quality tools but sufficient....and if I drop them in the water no big loss....

cliff

https://www.harborfreight.com/130-pc-tool-set-with-case-63091.html

View attachment 53102
Same set too. I think I got it for $39 on sale with a 20% coupon...OH and ANOTHER flashlight...lol
 
I have a 3 drawer plastic tool box from Sears ($40) in the engine room. I keep all larger wrenches and sockets etc there. Then I keep smaller tool bag with smaller tools and a socket/wrench set under the helm seat. Still have to run back and forth, but not as much.
 
i keep some fairly nice tools in my dock box and my truck tool box for in-depth repairs to be made at the dock....I keep this cheap set from Harbor Freight on the boat in case it is needed while the boat is away from the dock....I find my self grabbing the cheap HF kit 90% of the time even at the dock because it is readily available and easy to carry from place to place...

obviously not great quality tools but sufficient....and if I drop them in the water no big loss....

I've heard better mechanics than I say the best tool strategy is to buy a cheap set and replace the ones that break, wear out or just don't work with good tools. The rest that work good enough or don't get used much aren't worth investing in. I've added more odd size sockets to my cheap socket set on the boat than I have used the included sockets. It's mostly use a couple here and there for minor items. Plus I think cheap tools today are far better than the cheap tools of 20-30 years ago, at least for common man tasks.
 
So for those who have or do keep tools in the engine room. Do they rust easily?
 
Craftsman 3 drawer for stuff I barely use like sockets etc but I have 2 soft bags 1set up for Electric and the other set up for plumbing. Some tools do have a bit of rust on them usually the cheaper tools hit them with WD40 and they’re ok
 
Hey everyone, I am looking to install some version of tool storage in my ER. I have looked at truck mounted boxes, pelican cases...etc. What are you all using?

Josh
I am looking into the same thing. I would like to mount a permanent tool box with drawers in the ER but I am concerned with having to move it to get to the back of boat for things. Right now, I have a plastic tool box secured with tie downs that I can move out of the way.
Will be interested to see what you end up deciding on. Please post pics after you complete.
 
None of my tools (other than some junky ones that were already kinda rusted up a bit) have rusted. But I'm the best one to judge that on since the boat does not sit full time in the water, and especially not in a high-humidity, salt area. I do wipe them down once in a while with Boeshield, too.

In the Grady, which sits in the water for about 5-6 months, they're doing pretty well, too. I have those tools in a large, plastic tool box (the kind with the handle in the middle and two latches for the hinged lid). But Maine, although salt, is not a high humidity area. I do get a tiny bit of rust here and there, but that's more my fault for not wiping them down as often as I should. However, given that the toolbox stays out in the cockpit (extra seat or footstool), it's not too bad.

I like the box you linked too - but do you think the tools would rattle around a lot and bug you (sound)? Maybe some sheets of foam tucked in/thrown on top of the tools? If you dampen the tools with WD40 or Boeshield, that should help, too. How thin is the sheet metal of that box (back to the rust question)?
 
I keep a soft tool bag under the cockpit seat and a large Stanley plastic toolbox in the engine room for rarely used items. I find that more and more tools migrate to the soft bag due to easier access. I would not want to go to the engine room every time a phillips screwdriver was needed.

The Stanley box is supposedly waterproof with a decent gasket and I have no rust on any tools.
 
Been looking into this also so far come up with craftsman three draw metal toolbox to be mounted in the engine room and outfitted with the tools that I would need in case of a Emergency out at sea repair while I am offshore ,all the sockets wrenches and stuff that I would need to work in the engine room will be down there on the top of the deck I always keep a general tool bag under the seat Plus I like the way some of the yachts look at the boat shows with their own toolboxes set up
 
I've got a soft tool bag and a hard plastic box on the boat. Both are filled with primarily Husky brand tools. The hard box has the socket sets in it and the soft bag has everything else including some other brand tools for electrical chores.
I'm a fan of Craftsman and have a roll a way filled with them at home. I like the Husky as a good quality cheaper alternative for using on the boat where they might get rusty or go for a swim.
Keeping them in the bilge wouldn't work for me because I'm a serial putterer and going in and out of the bilge every time I need a tool wouldn't make sense so I keep them more accessible.
I would like to mount a box in the bilge for spare filters, belts and hoses though.
 
If you are looking for a storage bag..... this 16" bag works well and can be pick them up at a good price at Harbor Freight. I like this one over their black bags because it has a reinforced bottom.

63637_zzz_500.jpg
 

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