Best tool set to have onboard for most repairs and maintenance

SeaGreg

SeaGreg

New Member
Aug 2, 2015
79
Miami/Keys/Bahamas
Boat Info
2008 38 Sundancer
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1 DTS
I am looking to buy a Craftsman tool kit that will be not just comprehensive but also relatively compact. Does anyone have any recomendations for one of the dozens of tool kits that they offer that will be sufficient for most repairs and maintenance?
 
Forgot to mention, I also keep a torque wrench onboard -- also a craftsman, and a good light. Those bilge lights in our ER are good to make sure you still have engines, that's about it.
 
The $100 sets of tools are nice as you do not feel too bad when you drop things in the water. We live 800 miles from the boat and have a lot of tools. Every time I do something and do not have the correct tool I purchase one. This fall I purchased a 2 gallon air compressor for $100 as I was winterizing my boat for the first time. Running out of space. A good set of screw drivers is a good idea, an electric drill will help.
 
Socket set, wrench set, multi but screw driver/assorted screw drivers, vide grips, pliers needle nose pliers, filter wrenches, hacksaw, wire stripper/crimper.
My boat keeps getting more and more tools every time I have to do something
 
Socket set, wrench set, multi but screw driver/assorted screw drivers, vide grips, pliers needle nose pliers, filter wrenches, hacksaw, wire stripper/crimper, scraper (for gaskets etc)
My boat keeps getting more and more tools every time I have to do something
 
Not part of a Craftsman set, but headlamps have been invaluable. One lives on the boat, and First Mate keeps one in his backpack, as well, so we usually have two available. Can't tell you how often others have borrowed the headlamps to deal with pesky problems in dim ER spaces or after the sun has set.
 
I absofreakinlutely LOVE Harbor Freight. I have a Craftsman plastic tool box that is kind of oversized and I have it jammed with all kinds of tools. In addition to that, I have several of those plastic boxes that have compartments in them. One is just for stainless hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, etc.), another for light bulbs, another for tubes of greases and lubes, sealants, etc. One thing I couldn't do without is a multimeter. Also have a vise-grip type tool for replacing snaps, and a supply of snaps to go with it.

Much of my stuff came from Harbor Freight. I don't use them often and don't swear as much when I flip a tool into the water by accident.

At the start of each summer boating season I feel like I should walk over to the side of the boat, toss a few tools in the drink and pay homage to Neptune.
 
Gofirstclass said:
I absofreakinlutely LOVE Harbor Freight. I have a Craftsman plastic tool box that is kind of oversized and I have it jammed with all kinds of tools. In addition to that, I have several of those plastic boxes that have compartments in them. One is just for stainless hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, etc.), another for light bulbs, another for tubes of greases and lubes, sealants, etc. One thing I couldn't do without is a multimeter. Also have a vise-grip type tool for replacing snaps, and a supply of snaps to go with it.

Much of my stuff came from Harbor Freight. I don't use them often and don't swear as much when I flip a tool into the water by accident.

At the start of each summer boating season I feel like I should walk over to the side of the boat, toss a few tools in the drink and pay homage to Neptune.
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As friend of mine once said the expensive tools don't float any better than the cheap ones.
 
thank you all for you input here... I'm definitely torn between the $100 craftsman set and the $40 Harbor Freight... seems like price per piece they are relatively on par with one another.

Greg
 
Henry Boyd said:
I have the harbor freight set for the boat. The only time my snap ons come near the boat is when it is on stands in the boatyard.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

+1....same here.....I have a fairly good selection of decent quality tools in my dock box....I keep a Harbor Freight tool kit on the boat.....I figure most of my repairs will be done at the dock...the cheap HF tool set is mostly for emergencies.....

cliff
 
We once met an elderly 80+ couple who had a 68 foot wood tug boat converted to a cruiser. It was in very good condition. It was one engine drive and the prop looked like it was 5 feet in diameter. I asked him what he had for tools and spare parts and he showed me his cell phone. What one carries for for tools and spare parts is based on your competence level and where you go. We carry a lot of parts and we can fix most any thing on the boat to get us to a place where the work can be done by a professional. Last summer our generator raw water pump failed. I did not have a spare. I had it rebuilt 1 year before. I now have a spare raw water pump for the generator. The same thing happened to me on the raw water pump for one drive engine in 2007. I now carry a spare one of those.
 
The common tools plus a tube of rtv extra hose clamps travel size can of penetrating oil some assorted stainless steel screws all in a abs plastic style o ring sealed ammo can tool box. Plus a small digital multi meter.one thing that has come in handy was a small set of stubby wrenches.
 
I keep a cheap basic tool set on the boat, if I get into something that can't be handled with that, then I bring the tools from home. I have a 5gal bucket that travels to/from the boat with my work "kit" for the day. My boat is just not big enough to keep a bunch of tools on. More important is the plastic compartment tray that I keep full of fuses, connectors, washers, screws etc. As far as tools, I have a nice Craftsmen 5 drawer chest full of my fathers and even grandfathers Craftsmen tools, plus some I have added to over the years. Lately though, I have bought some stuff from Harbor Freight - a torque wrench, some sockets etc and have found them to be pretty good quality, at least for the weekend mechanic. It's not like I turn wrenches everyday. My biggest disappointment is my recent trip to Sears, they just don't keep anything like they used to in the stores, and honestly I don't think the Craftsmen quality is what it used to be - not sure it's any better than Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight). Not that I have ever had a problem with a Craftsmen tool, but never a problem with Pittsburgh either.
 
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http://www.westmarine.com/buy/seafit--adjustable-packing-nut-wrench--290280

I have carried this wrench for 8 years and last week it saved the day, tightening a leaking rudder packing nut. It was the only tool I could fit in the tight spot to get on the rudder nut....
 
I have two small plastic tool boxes aboard, and 2 watertight containers with odds and ends in them.
Toolbox #1 is one of those cheap flat sets from Husky with molded spots for all of the tools it contains. It has basic 1/4", 3/8"/ and 1/2" ratchets, sockets and drives. Some pliers, adjustable wrench, small vise grip, allen keys, and basic screwdrivers. I got it 7 or 8 years ago on sale around Father's day at Home Depot for about $69 or & $79. Just before Father's Day seems like the time these things are around the most, and for decent prices.
Toolbox #2 Has other loose hand tools that I've found come in handy over the years, including a tape measure, assorted kinds of tape, cheap multi meter, and 12 volt test light. I've stocked it as the years have gone by with things I have more than one (sometimes more than a couple) of at home.
One of the watertight containers has various 12 volt electrical connectors, fuses, couple of feet of wire, and other electrical odds and ends.
The other watertight container has various pieces of stainless steel hose clamps, screws, nuts, bolts, washers, etc., that I've accumulated over the years.
A couple of battery operated LED flashlights, and 12 volt lights round out the onboard collection.
It sounds like a lot of stuff, but it really is fairly compact when packed away.
If I know I'm going to the boat to do maintenance or a repair, I bring down any tools that I think I may need from home.
The stuff I keep aboard is for emergency repairs, and for the times when I get restless while hanging out at the dock and decide to putter around.
Of all the things I keep aboard, I think the thing I use the most is the 12 volt test light and the watertight container with the 12 volt electric stuff. Most times when something stops working, or otherwise acts up, it turns out to be an old weathered connection causing the problem. A few minutes of diagnoses, and a fresh connection usually solves things.
 
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