Tool Storage Onboard

[Irie308]

Curious how you all are storing tools onboard. For me its been a struggle. I think I've somewhat figured out a system except for things like wrenches screw drivers, hole saws, pliers etc. Those items seem to find their way into a tool bag which is a nightmare to dig through but haven't found a better option. I also struggle with where to store what. For example I keep a screw gun onboard but store in the salon for the climate control to reduce rusting etc. Most other tools are stored in the ER in the "bag" or under the cockpit seat. What creative ways are you storing tools onboard? Particularly things that we don't have the space to store in their original casing. Also during the summer the boat is stored over an hour away so running back and for to home when we are at the dock is really not optimal so I try to keep what I may use for projects onboard during the season.

 

[Scott215]

I have a medium sized toolbox plastic when I got from harbor freight tools and I keep it next to the porta potty in my cabin they have all sorts of tool storage there ,check out harbor freight

 

[Skybolt]

Mechanics tools I keep in a SS Kobalt three draw box in the ER between the engines.

then general stuff, screw drivers, small set of wrenches and sockets etc. I keep in the floor storage.

 

[km1125]

I bought a handful of cheap plastic tool boxes from Harbor Freight and divvy everything up between them. There are a few inconvenient cubby holes that I stick them in so they're out of the way most of the time. One has "plumbing" things (fittings, clamps, plugs, etc) one has velco strapping and hatch tape type stuff, one has some spare parts (fuel filters, impellers, plugs, etc). I think I have six or seven of them. Big labels on the top so I don't have to dig through them all to find the right one(s).

 

[Scott215]

Ask the exact set I bought it comes with like four different sizes for like $20 That's what I did to work great

 

[my3sons]

I have stuff all over the place. The stuff that would be used most often is in a tool bag kept in one of the cockpit lockers.
The 1/2” drive stuff, all the deep sockets, rudder stuffing box wrenches, file sets, hack saw, chisels etc in a craftsman box in the large in floor storage centerline in the galley all the way forward so that cases of water, beer, wine can be stored in there also. It’s a good place for heavy stuff.
All electrical tools, meters, wire, crimp connectors etc are under the salon couch along with adhesives, sealants, west system stuff, map torch (cylinder in transom locker) plumbing tools, extra pieces of 15 and 22mm pex lines, fittings, canvas repair tools, snaps, thread, and sailrite stuff.
In floor storage in the second stateroom has the bolt cutters, prop puller, a pair of 24” crescent wrenches and a pipe wrench. Also a bunch of maintenance parts in there like impellers, spare belts etc. Under the inside bed in the second stateroom is a 50 foot air cylinder, wet suits, mask and 50 feet of air line for maintenance purposes.
In the salon behind the couch storage area are all the filters and the drill driver and bits.
Finally in the ER are the 3 filter wrenches, inspection lights, funnels and spanner wrenches for the groccos.
Probably forgetting some things but if I need something and it’s on the boat, I know where it is, at least up to this point.
In re-reading this, I realize now that our long distance cruising days are probably mostly behind us, I should start getting some of this stuff off the boat.

 

[Golfman25]

I am working on this for my new to me boat as well. I have my good set of sockets, and wrenches that I bring from home whenever I have a planned project.

For the boat, I have a "marine took kit" in a plastic case that is coming apart -- just a basic set of tools. Stores pretty easy, but not a complete set. I am thinking of breaking it down and adding to it and putting everything in small bags. So one bag for wrenches, one back for more common stuff like screwdrivers, pliers, box cutters, etc. Those I'll store in a convenient place, probably behind the helm seat with the life jackets.

I also have two plastic containers -- one with electrical components and one with oil filter wrenches, funnels and stuff. Those go in a side compartment behnind the u-shaped seat.

 

[Creekwood]

I also keep things in a few places but most are in an under seat storage spot in the cabin (the seat up near the forward berth for you 330 owners). I have one of those small plastic basic socket tool sets with a separate set of box wrenches. Some pliers and vice grips too. A Ryobi lithium battery drill with a set of good drill bits and screw bits in there too. Plastic bins in storage spots under the berth hold spare parts like screws, pop rivets and tool, wires and connectors and one for glues and adhesives.

My big tool box only goes to the boat when needed for a repair job. It’s at home normally.

 

[markrsimon]

I keep most of the tools in the top two sections of the 3piece Ridgid set - which gets stored in the ER. The bottom piece has everything for compounding/waxing - spring launch - and stays at home.

Spare parts go into latchable plastic bins, with each bin for different projects (electrical, plumbing, engine, etc). These go in the salon floor center storage fwd, or in/under the helm seats.

The larger plastic bin with gaskets we use for food storage - salon floor, larger center storage area.

I think the only tools that are tucked away hidden are the 2 large 24” crescent wrenches for the prop nuts, and the large custom made wrenches (plate steel) for our old school shaft packings nuts.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Great thread as I have wondered about this often. I currently keep the big toolbox on the mid cabin floor, which is just under the bed I sleep in. I'm getting tired seeing the toolbox cuz it reminds me of having to work on the boat and fix things, so I recently put a towel over it. I recently bought a small tool bag as well to carry the tools I use the most often, and I find it pretty helpful. I have other various things scattered throughout the boat. I'm trying to find better homes for them so I know where they are when I need them.

Portable battery operated drill is stored under the stairs into the cabin in a small compartment. Electrical stuff is stored in one of the drawers in the galley. Spare parts and such are stored in the floor bilge in the cabin.

 

[Golfman25]

Timely video from boogaboo.

 

[Alex F]

For frequently used category tools I've built several shelves in the ER and placed a tools box similar to this one.

Infrequently used tools are stored in the "laundry room" and under VIP bed.

 

[Blueone]

I have the most expensive hardware store on the planet….right up the road from the boat….. they know me by name and have everything I need everytime.

the rest of the crap I keep in a tool duffle bag in the bottom of my closet.

I purge all the time to keep it manageable. You will never have everything you would need to fix every thing that comes up.

 

[Jeremygavin]

I keep a craftsman toolbox like this one in the engine room.
All hand tools such as screw drivers and sockets go in the toolbox. Specialty tools such as oil filter wrenches go in a plastic toolbox. A full cordless set goes in another plastic toolbox.

 

[Mauler34Rod]

I have stuff all over the place. The stuff that would be used most often is in a tool bag kept in one of the cockpit lockers.
The 1/2” drive stuff, all the deep sockets, rudder stuffing box wrenches, file sets, hack saw, chisels etc in a craftsman box in the large in floor storage centerline in the galley all the way forward so that cases of water, beer, wine can be stored in there also. It’s a good place for heavy stuff.
All electrical tools, meters, wire, crimp connectors etc are under the salon couch along with adhesives, sealants, west system stuff, map torch (cylinder in transom locker) plumbing tools, extra pieces of 15 and 22mm pex lines, fittings, canvas repair tools, snaps, thread, and sailrite stuff.
In floor storage in the second stateroom has the bolt cutters, prop puller, a pair of 24” crescent wrenches and a pipe wrench. Also a bunch of maintenance parts in there like impellers, spare belts etc. Under the inside bed in the second stateroom is a 50 foot air cylinder, wet suits, mask and 50 feet of air line for maintenance purposes.
In the salon behind the couch storage area are all the filters and the drill driver and bits.
Finally in the ER are the 3 filter wrenches, inspection lights, funnels and spanner wrenches for the groccos.
Probably forgetting some things but if I need something and it’s on the boat, I know where it is, at least up to this point.
In re-reading this, I realize now that our long distance cruising days are probably mostly behind us, I should start getting some of this stuff off the boat.

And it still floats?

 

[Little Ducky]

This thread is reminding me to organize my boat the next time I'm on board.

 

[ranger58sb]

We have a multi-bag/multi-box solution.

Most general tools are in a large-ish bag with pockets all round the inside and outside perimeter. Decently organized. 3/8" and 1/4" ratchet drives and extensions in their own side pockets, for example. Within the larger bag, a smaller pouch with smaller metric wrenches in a roll-up and metric sockets on short rails. Another pouch and roll-up for smaller SAE wrenches and sockets. Et cetera. Too heavy to lift the whole bag very often... so mostly just used to keep things organized.

Then a separate box for larger metric and SAE wrenches and sockets (1" or 24mm and larger) and the 1/2" drive, hammer, all seldom needed.

Different box (fishing tackle type, with a multiple sub-divided drawers) for electrical supplies... like fuses or LEDs or whatever. Supported by a separate small toolbox for electrical tools: wire cutters and strippers, multi-meter, and so forth.

Separate loose storage area for battery-driven stuff: driver, ratchet, small vac, lights... all using the same battery system.

Most of all this happens to fit under our settee cushions in the saloon. Don't have an ideal place for one single multi-drawer tool box...

Typically I'll grab out tools I think I'll need for a given project, along with parts as required, carry those around to the work in a bucket or whatever.

-Chris

 

[my3sons]

And it still floats?

Yeah, crazy. That’s the problem with having lots of storage room. I would use stuff to do a maintenance project like pulling the props to send them out for tuning and then just put the puller and big wrenches etc on the boat where I figure what’s the difference where it’s stored, here or at home, at least if I need it, it’s here.
The other thing is that because of my line of work, I had all kinds of tools, so I can have all that stuff on the boat and still have complete sets of everything on the truck and at home.

 

[Irie308]

For frequently used category tools I've built several shelves in the ER and placed a tools box similar to this one.

View attachment 146114

Infrequently used tools are stored in the "laundry room" and under VIP bed.

Alex, where in the ER did you mount these shelves/toolbox?

 

[stg099]

I keep a husky tool bag in my forward cabin bilge for hand tools. I have it organized with tool pouches: Screwdrivers, ratchets & extensions, wrenches, pliers. Then smaller tool bags for 1/4 and 3/8 sockets and extensions. This keeps me from fumbling around for tools and having to dig through the bag every time I use it. Lesser used tools are stored in plastic shoeboxes by application (Canvas/snaps, electrical, hose clamps/filters, hardware, etc). Everything is labeled so it's easy to grab what I need and bring it wherever I need it and most importantly, is easy to put away in an organized fashion.