on board tool set....

CliffA

CliffA

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2009
4,712
Lake Norman, NC
Boat Info
2001 Sea Ray 340DA
Name: 'Happy Place'
4.5kW West. Generator
Purchased Nov. 2014
Fresh Water Use
Engines
Twin Merc. 6.2L (MPI)
640 hp (Total)
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drive Transmissions
there was a fairly recent thread (can't find it now) concerning the types of tools members keep on board their boats.....I currently have a cheap set from Harbor Freight on board but I am going to put that set in my truck....I found this set on Amazon I like better for the boat....it is SAE only and includes the basic tools I would normally use including a 12V tester light....it is pretty compact (about the size of a piece of paper) so I think it will fit nicely in the storage compartment next to the captain's seat.....it got good reviews and I especially like the comments about the quality of the socket ratchet handle as being of good quality...in cheap sets of tools I have noticed the ratchets are usually of questionable quality....and the set is very inexpensive...

just thought I would share in case someone else is looking for a basic set of tools to keep on board their boat....

cliff

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSSAYXD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
71vuIQfM0IL._SL1000_.jpg
 
Both are good choices for a standby box to keep in the boat.
Another good place to get something is Home Depot. The Husky tools are reasonably priced and pretty good quality. Especially for the money.
I bought one of those “sets” in the plastic cases for the boat about 10 years ago. I used it in addition to a plastic tool box to keep other tools that the “set” didn’t have in it. The plastic case the “set” came in fell apart so I replaced it with a Husky tool bag which gave me room for more tools.
Now I keep more hand tools on the boat than some guys have in their garage. Every time I think about lightening the load a bit I can’t narrow it down.
It’s a sickness.
 
I am working out the tools for our "new" 2005 280 Sundancer. I think either of the tool sets above would be a handy base for odd jobs. I think the craftsman one is more complete, but also much bigger. You have to consider available storage, the size of boat, the length of voyage, and the mechanical ability of mariners aboard. On our sailboat I had the necessary tools for the fuel filters, fan belts, etc. secured to the fittings in the engine compartment. With power I still think it is important to imagine what jobs you might attempt underway, and have those tools (or repair items) handy. Emergency plugs for wayward through hulls, Rescue Tape, Black tape, tie wraps, coolant, oil, extra fan belt, etc. Whatever tools you might need to change a hose, change a thermostat, change a belt, or secure the occasional loose wire, fitting, or screw.
My mantra is "the best tool in my tool box is maintenance". Our Harbor Master says fixing your boat at home is called "Yachting". Fixing your boat in more exotic locals is called "cruising". My thinking is..., I get 15 Days of the 360/year for "vacation". I want to fish and drink beer and soak up sun, not fix the head or repair my cooling system.
 
I've got this set on my boat. (got it up here at Canadian Tire for less than $100 on sale) Seems to have most everything I could ever need, and probably some tools I never will. I also carry an oil filter wrench, a volt meter, and water pump pliers (never know when the packing on a rudder might need to be tightened)

Toolset.jpg
 
CliffA said:
....it is SAE only
Click to expand...

Cliff, I know you have a similar boat to mine, have you ever bumped into anything that was metric on our generation 340DA? I know you have different engines, I have the 8.1 Horizon's. I think my socket set is just SAE and don't recall having a problem, but I haven't had to do too much other than basic stuff. I have a boatyard do all the annual maintenance so I'm just trying to cover stuff that I might be able to fix if I broke down, and normal in season stuff like filters.

Thanks, Ron
 
CliffA said:
there was a fairly recent thread (can't find it now) concerning the types of tools members keep on board their boats.....I currently have a cheap set from Harbor Freight on board but I am going to put that set in my truck....I found this set on Amazon I like better for the boat....it is SAE only and includes the basic tools I would normally use including a 12V tester light....it is pretty compact (about the size of a piece of paper) so I think it will fit nicely in the storage compartment next to the captain's seat.....it got good reviews and I especially like the comments about the quality of the socket ratchet handle as being of good quality...in cheap sets of tools I have noticed the ratchets are usually of questionable quality....and the set is very inexpensive...

just thought I would share in case someone else is looking for a basic set of tools to keep on board their boat....

cliff

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSSAYXD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
71vuIQfM0IL._SL1000_.jpg
Click to expand...
I like that, as it doesn't have a bunch of BS you don't need just you bump up the tool count.
 
be_prepared said:
Cliff, I know you have a similar boat to mine, have you ever bumped into anything that was metric on our generation 340DA? I know you have different engines, I have the 8.1 Horizon's. I think my socket set is just SAE and don't recall having a problem, but I haven't had to do too much other than basic stuff. I have a boatyard do all the annual maintenance so I'm just trying to cover stuff that I might be able to fix if I broke down, and normal in season stuff like filters.

Thanks, Ron
Click to expand...


Ron,
I don't remember running into anything metric yet.....I do keep some metric tools in my dock box just in case....that is why I liked this set since it is only SAE and it includes a 12VDC test light which I use frequently.....I received my set over the WE and I have to say I am impressed with the quality of the tools (especially the socket ratchet) for the low cost....and the set is small and compact.....

I also carry other stuff in the ER such as a filter wrench, emergency repair tape, JB weld putty, fuel/water filter and some spare parts for items that are known to fail with some frequency such as IAC valves and starter slave solenoids....I don't go crazy on stocking up on tools and spare parts on the boat because we boat on an inland lake....if one engine goes down I can get back to my slip on one engine or worst case call BoatU.S. for a tow.....I keep my dock box stocked with various tools and spare parts so I can make repairs at the slip when needed....

cliff
 
Point Of interest 8.1 Horizon do have Metric I Learned the hard way best to be prepared I Was not thank god friends with metric tool save my but
 
I picked up a nice 136 piece starter set for the boat for 36.00 at harbor freight that has most standard stuff you would need. I also got a 200+ piece set with a tool box from Lowes for 99.99 for my motorhome that is a real nice set. The only thing I don't like about it is the wrenches only go up to 9/16 really needs a 5/8 also.
 
On the fly, be sure to have at least the socket set size for the removal of the impeller pump and pully. Phillips and regular screw driver.

Yes a full tool kit is a must but often the deep socket you think you have for the pully is not the one you have. Some are metric and others are standard.
 
Personally, I’m on standby here for a rebirth of the onboard first aid kit post.... that was some real entertainment!
 
tc410 said:
Personally, I’m on standby here for a rebirth of the onboard first aid kit post.... that was some real entertainment!
Click to expand...

You mean you don't have a hospital ship under contract to shadow you? How irresponsible :)
USS Comfort.jpg
 

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