Spares? What are the Most important things to have on board?

Wardy549

Wardy549

Member
Nov 12, 2014
109
Daytona Marina & Boat Works
Boat Info
1988 345 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Twin 454's
Me again! :)
I have twin 454's with port engine is brand new with less than 50hrs. Starb engine 600hrs.
So hopefully nothing major with power for awhile. But I know there is always something.

What would you captains suggest I bring and store on her for emergency situations?
Belts, fuel filter, starter, fuses, batteries, wire etc....?

I am sure there is a long list and I am all in for being prepared for the inevitable.
So, what every you may think is a good idea from your own experiences, please let me know.
I will be on the water 75% of the time with just my dog so having spare parts for an instant fix might be just a great plan to have.
Thank You!
 
Always thought the biggest advantage of having twins was that you are sitting on 2 of everything..
Sorry, have wished I had twins a couple times riding in on the kicker. Once for a failed lower and another for a failed sensor in the distributor.
I do pack a spare belt, filters, oil, coolant, raw water impeller, starter, alternator, plugs, cap, coil, wires and even a prop.
Oh ya, and now a sensor for the distributor.
 
There are lots of posts on this but the best advice I ever got was when an item fails get two new ones and install them on the engines and keep the good one you took off for a spare. One elderly couple we met with a 60+ foot wood tug when I asked what he carried for spares showed me his cell phone.
 
northern said:
There are lots of posts on this but the best advice I ever got was when an item fails get two new ones and install them on the engines and keep the good one you took off for a spare. One elderly couple we met with a 60+ foot wood tug when I asked what he carried for spares showed me his cell phone.
Click to expand...

I feel I met that guy. LOL

MM
 
Thornton69 said:
Always thought the biggest advantage of having twins was that you are sitting on 2 of everything..
Sorry, have wished I had twins a couple times riding in on the kicker. Once for a failed lower and another for a failed sensor in the distributor.
I do pack a spare belt, filters, oil, coolant, raw water impeller, starter, alternator, plugs, cap, coil, wires and even a prop.
Oh ya, and now a sensor for the distributor.
Click to expand...
lol ok perfect..ty!!
 
Fluids, belts, impellars, duck bill valves, household batteries, fuel filters, water separators, rags/towels, some(minimal) water & fuel lines/hoses, underwear, etc....
 
northern said:
There are lots of posts on this but the best advice I ever got was when an item fails get two new ones and install them on the engines and keep the good one you took off for a spare. One elderly couple we met with a 60+ foot wood tug when I asked what he carried for spares showed me his cell phone.
Click to expand...
his cell phone hahaha :p
 
Don't forget the proper tools to install said items. If I need to replace an impeller, I need a deep socket & extension to access the pump bracket. Bravo 3 props require a special deep "large" socket as well.
 
OllieC said:
Don't forget the proper tools to install said items. If I need to replace an impeller, I need a deep socket & extension to access the pump bracket. Bravo 3 props require a special deep "large" socket as well.
Click to expand...

And ancillary items like thread tape, thread lock, electrical tape, gasket material, and glue or adhesives.

MM
 
My two cents - before I spent any real money on building up a set of spare parts I'd make sure I have all of the most important safety gear available - 1.) VHF with DSC, 2.) EPIRB, 3.) Tow Boat US membership, 4.) all the other CG required stuff and 5.) a handful of combo smoke/CO detectors.

I wold also make sure you never run out of alcohol. I mean...really....don't let yourself run out of alcohol.
 
Idler pulleys. Trust me, they fail at the most inoportuned times. Also in addition to impellers, I carry a spare raw water pump. Don’t forget a genny impeller (if it applies). Had one fail on me this past summer at anchor 50 miles from the nearest marina.
 
I keep spare belts, hoses, filters, 12 volt electrical connectors, a pretty well equipped set of tools, etc..
But the best thing I have is my TowBoatUS coverage. Much easier to replace parts with spares at the dock.
 
JVM225 said:
I keep spare belts, hoses, filters, 12 volt electrical connectors, a pretty well equipped set of tools, etc..
But the best thing I have is my TowBoatUS coverage. Much easier to replace parts with spares at the dock.
Click to expand...

Don't leave the dock without it! Did you know that if you have coverage on your boat and you are out with a friend and they need a covered type tow you are covered on their boat.

MM
 
Spare bulbs as we boat quite a bit at night and as someone has stated the tools to install them. Water pump impeller, gear oil, engine oil,zip ties, gorilla tape and of course all the USCG required safety equipment. Don’t forget your bell !!!
 
MonacoMike said:
Don't leave the dock without it! Did you know that if you have coverage on your boat and you are out with a friend and they need a covered type tow you are covered on their boat.

MM
Click to expand...
Yup!
Only time I ever used my membership to get towed all the way in was when I was on a friend’s boat and the engine blew. My friend joined immediately after we got his boat home.
The next time I needed them was a few years later. It was early in the season, and I ran aground in the middle of a Channel I had been through hundreds of times.
Turns out the bottom had shifted considerably over the winter. They were there in a matter of minutes to pull me off and have me on my way.
In the short time between when I ran aground, and they pulled me off, two more boats ran aground in the same place and a Sea Tow boat showed up to get one of them. So if for some reason a person doesn’t want Boat US, then Seatow is another way to go. Seems that both have excellent response times.
When I went through there a week or so later the state finally got around to dropping a buoy to mark the shallow spot.
It helped, but there were still people not expecting the buoy to be there running aground in that spot that summer.
 
Last edited:
JVM225 said:
Yup!
Only time I ever used my membership to get towed all the way in was when I was on a friend’s boat and the engine blew. My friend joined immediately after we got his boat home.
The next time I needed them was a few years later. It was early in the season, and I ran aground in the middle of a Channel I had been through hundreds of times.
Turns out the bottom had shifted considerably over the winter. They were there in a matter of minutes to pull me off and have me on my way.
In the short time between when I ran aground, and they pulled me off, two more boats ran aground in the same place and a Sea Tow boat showed up to get one of them. So if for some reason a person doesn’t want Boat US, then Seatow is another way to go. Seems that both have excellent response times.
When I went through there a week or so later the state finally got around to dropping a buoy to mark the shallow spot.
It helped, but there were still people not expecting the buoy to be there running aground in that spot that summer.
Click to expand...

We only have TowBoatUS in our area. So for others reading this check to see if one or both have service in your area. It is well worth it.

MM
 
I like TowBoatUS. Only used them once late in the evening on a holiday weekend. After a great day on the hook to turn the key only to hear click, click, click....... A quick call and 45 minutes later after a jump I was on my way.

I was also on my way the next weekend to $450 in new batteries :(
 
It doesn't matter. The one thing you need is the one thing you won't have :) The corollary being, you can prevent failure of any item simply by carrying a spare.
 
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