Tool box for the boat

[The NY Dad]

I want to put together a toolbox that will be kept on the boat. I plan to put a prop wrench and torque flo kit in it, along with a #2 phillips screwdriver, flat blade screwdriver, ball peen hammer, 6" and 8" crescent wrenches, groove joint pliers, a set of combination wrenches, a 3/8" socket set, a leather man tool or swiss army knife, and electric tape.

As far as wrenches and sockets go, if I remember correctly my 77 GMC pickup with a 4.3 l engine had both metric and SAE bolts, is that the case with a marine 4.3? Any need for hex keys?

Anything else I should include, I can't get to carried away because the 185 doesn't have an over abundance of storage.

 

[BillK2632]

I have not run across any metric bolts on my 4.3, I keep a set of hex keys but don't recall ever using them. In addition to what you have listed, the other things that have come in handy:

1. Volt meter.
2. Spare fuses.
3. Blue block and manifold drain plugs.
4. Wire ties.
5. Light - one of those small free ones from Harbor Freight

I keep these along with a small assortment of screws, nuts bolts, hose clamps etc I have collected in a plastic compartment bin that fits in the toolbox - that little bin has saved the day a few times.

If I have a specific project or repair, I will put a set of tools together and bring from home, the tools that stay on the boat are cheap, but they get the job done. I keep it to a small tool box and the socket set. I have a 5gal bucket that I keep at home, any little "things" that I need to take to the boat go in the bucket and the bucket goes with me back and forth to the boat to the boat. I also secured a milk crate and another bucket in the storage areas on either side of the engine to hold cleaning supplies etc that I leave on the boat. Sounds like a lot but it really isn't and I always have the basics on-board to clean or make a small repair.

 

[Little Ducky]

Best Tool:
Just make sure your insurance covers towing and make sure to have phone numbers for TowBoatUS or another service in your phone.

 

[trflgrl]

Headlamp so you have two hands free to use the other tools!

 

[The NY Dad]

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone I will definitely add all these items. I have a couple questions though.

Little Ducky by towing coverage did you mean towing on the water, or towing on the highway if something happens to the truck or trailer? Wy daughter set up this insurance, I'll have to ask her about coverage.

BillK2632 I'm not familiar with blue block, what is it, and can you tell me what size and thread the manifold drain plugs are. I also plan to get a couple spare bilge drain plugs.

 

[Little Ducky]

Tow on water.

There are some insurance companies that don't really spell this out in their coverage and then some do.

If you don't have On Water boat towing you might need to add it for piece of mind.

If you look at USBoat you can just buy on water towing for $149 or it's even less if you have GEICO boat insurance. They use a service called TowBoatUS. I had to call them out once for a jump at 9pm on a holiday weekend...... it would have cost about $400 but with this coverage it was $0. Using their smartphone app they know exactly where you are on the water when you request help.

My current insurance company has in water towing so I would still call the local TowBoatUS folks but would have to pay out of pocket 1st then submit to my insurance company for reimbursement.

 

[Island Time Buffalo]

+1 on the headlamp.

Also, 2 of the most awesome tools in my kit. A telescoping magnet, and a flexible grabber tool (https://www.amazon.com/RamPro-Flexible-Grabber-Retractable-Retriever/dp/B01LM2L50I) to pick up the washers, screws and nuts you will drop into impossible spaces.

 

[BillK2632]

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone I will definitely add all these items. I have a couple questions though.

Little Ducky by towing coverage did you mean towing on the water, or towing on the highway if something happens to the truck or trailer? Wy daughter set up this insurance, I'll have to ask her about coverage.

BillK2632 I'm not familiar with blue block, what is it, and can you tell me what size and thread the manifold drain plugs are. I also plan to get a couple spare bilge drain plugs.

The blue block drain plugs - they are blue plastic wingnuts - they are prone to break and leak.

 

[trflgrl]

Tow on water.

There are some insurance companies that don't really spell this out in their coverage and then some do.

If you don't have On Water boat towing you might need to add it for piece of mind.

If you look at USBoat you can just buy on water towing for $149 or it's even less if you have GEICO boat insurance. They use a service called TowBoatUS. I had to call them out once for a jump at 9pm on a holiday weekend...... it would have cost about $400 but with this coverage it was $0. Using their smartphone app they know exactly where you are on the water when you request help.

My current insurance company has in water towing so I would still call the local TowBoatUS folks but would have to pay out of pocket 1st then submit to my insurance company for reimbursement.

I renewed my BoatUS membership recently and it was $72 including unlimited on-water towing. I assume rates may vary somewhat based on region/ocean going or not, but I agree it's money well spent for peace of mind.

 

[Little Ducky]

http://www.boatus.com/towing/services.asp

Excellent thanks for the correction .... I saw $149 on their web page but for fresh water towing is $72 ....... even better yet.

For that price you can't afford to be without it.

 

[Creekwood]

A small inspection mirror is extremely useful. I also have an inspection camera but have not used it much. Its good for looking behind bulkheads.

I think my bin of spare stainless screws, washers, bolts and nuts as well as my electrical bin with assorted connectors, wire of various colors and gauges, fuses, bulbs etc. are very handy.