Tool Kit Recommendation
 

Can anyone recommend a good all around tool kit to keep on the boat?

There are a million different kits out there, and I want to make sure that I have enough of what I need without getting carried away.

DUCTTAPE, SCREW DRIVER AND A PAIR OF PLIERS !!!!

Other then that ..get the right mechanic, not like i did in the past !! LOL:lolhit:

PERFECT! I think I have all of that stuff already. Including a great mechanic. Maybe, I'll just put him in the tool box! LOL! :p

I have an older plastic tool box, assorted screwdrivers, long and short plastic wire ties, folding allen wrench set, assorted wire ends and crimping tool (cheap kit), cheap ratchet with 1/4 and 3/8 inch flippable and sockets, one deep one short sae and metric, electric tape (2 in wide), length of red wire, dead blow hammer (Small) pliers, dikes box end and open end wrench kits(cheap). all together weighs less than 10 lbs

for spare parts, i always carry one extra raw water kit, a serpentine belt (each year i change and carry one of the older ones as spare) few quarts oil, 1 quart drive fluid and one bottle atf for steering.

I've never had to use it, but i know the day i leave shore without it I will.

I got a really cool inexpensive tool kit from Home Depot that has just about any tool you need in a blow molded plastic "briefcase like" kit.
I have a separate tool bag with the tapes, ties, hoses, clamps, and various adjustable wrenches and other tools not in the kit as well.

This set is close to the one I got but mine does not have the level, hammer and tape and has more sockets and wrenches.
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...atalogId=10053

I also carry extra belts, fluids, etc.

I never leave home without plenty of ICE because if something breaks I will damn sure be having a dozen cold drinks.

Actually - in all seriousness I need to get a better kit - something like what TOM has.

A towing service and a VHF.

:D

I got a $10 orange tool box from Bass Pro. I made sure all my hose clamps use the same size nutdriver (yes I had to change some). On my engines, everything was 1/2" or 9/16"; chances are whatever might need a different size, i wouldn't be fixing on the water. So a short and deep socket plus a box/open for each. Basic electrical kit: wire tool and connector pairs. A couple screwdrivers.

I bought a pretty large tool kit in a nice molded plastic case from Walmart for around $75.00. Has pretty much everything in it that you would need in an emergency. I actually used it last month when my crank pulley came loose on the intercoastal waterway. Jeff Wurl

Diddo on the kit. I just bought the cheapest one I could find so in case I drop something in the drink - it's no be deal. Keep a decent wrechet on board though - the ones in the cheap kits break very often.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I was certainly going to get carried away with getting a tool kit that was bigger than I needed. Not like I'm a mechanic anyway....Duh...

Thanks again. I'll pick up a small mechanics tool kit, and pick up some clamps, duct tape, and all of the other items you all have mentioned.

I do have a Boat US membership, so that's a one size fits all tool. LOL! :p

a little trick i came up with to help determine exactly what tools you need on your boat is when ever you work on your, boat weather its in your shop or the dock, use only the tools onboard. In a short time you can add and subtract tools to refine the selection. You'd be surprised how small the kit needs to be to do pretty much anything from general maintenance to pulling motors and drives. I'll have to inventory mine someday but using this method may differ from boat to boat.

The ICE chest is my biggest tool box

I do the same as glass dave, bought a canvas type tool bag from home depot and use it to perform maintenance, after a bit you have what you need.

Just a couple of thoughts, outside of your regular tool set:

If you have sea strainers, and boat in the ocean, or any water that consistently has a lot of seaweed or similar types of grassy debris; I would ALWAYS carry whatever tool will fit your strainer bolt or bolts, depending on what brand of strainer you have.

I've been to Key West by boat MANY times, and have had a strainer clog on more than one boat a few different times, causing the water temps to overheat. If we hadn't had the tools to get the sea strainer cap off, we'd have been screwed a looong way from anywhere. Luckily, we had the right wrench/wrenches on every occasion, and were able to clean out the strainer & keep rolling.

I always carry a fairly good sized, SHARP, knife as well. One that floats is an extra bonus. On more than one occasion, we've gotten tangled up in a crab pot, or similar fishing rope/line, and had to cut our way out. Those damn fishing "contraptions" are EVERYWHERE in the channel down in the Keys for example, and can be nearly impossible to avoid at times. A good knife can keep you going.

Yep...that is right on; good points Brandon.

P.S. it helps to know the avoidance maneuver like they teach in Tres' class...invaluable when dodging the crab pots.

Jeeeezuz, those reeds and crap you pull out of the strainer that is picked up on the way down to Key West smell like straight porta potty!!!
:eek: