In article ,
Rosalie B. wrote:

x-no-archive:yes "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

Well, the reality approaches, and while I have a pretty well equipped
landside tools and spares selection ("Dad's hardware store"), I'm curious
what those who have done it would suggest.

This is what was written on the subject on the CSY list about 3 years
ago. This guy also had a 4-154 before he repowered.

The tools are
separated by type and usage. The commonly used tools are stored in a ready
service canvas tool bag fitted with pouches and pockets, this takes care of
the vast majority of the day to day projects.

I second the separation by type and usage, but have an even smaller
"first" kit: Right at the companionway is a small, bright red box with
the most common open-end wrenches, a 4-in-1 screwdriver, eyeglass kit,
rigging knife, chisel, adjustable wrench, Channel-Loks, allen wrenchs
and raw water impeller. Nearby is a Racor filter. That kit handles most
of the quick and emergency jobs. It's easy to tell anyone to hand me the
"x" in the red box in the top drawer; both Pat and I find it easy to
return those tools whenever they escape. The real tools are in other
kits stowed low in the center of the boat.

Oh: On our outboard's gas can is a dedicated kit + 2 prop pins & spark
plugs. Coulda used that kit a couple of times on charter.

There are probably hundreds of "spares" and "tools" lists, so I'll just
mention our odd ones.

A *neat* unusual tool I got is sort of a cross between a Stilson (I
think) adjustable wrench and a socket wrench. Two "V" shaped jaws in
line with the handle, one of them on an adjustable thumb screw. Will
open to about 2" and studs fit through the frame between the jaws. It
works surprisingly well, and outperformed sockets a couple of times
since the effort is in line, not offset -- particularly if I had to go
at it with a deep socket to clear a stud.

Though I have all sorts of sanders, the only one on the boat is a 5"
flexible spindle that chucks into the drill. Does a great semi-finish
job of sanding and doesn't gouge or scallop. (Sears has an inexpensive
version with a rubber mount; some high-end outfit makes one with a
universal joint.) Use it for buffing, too.

An amazing prop "puller": Brass "knob" that threads onto the shaft.
Smack it once or twice and the prop's free.

1/2" hand impact driver with screwdriver bits (at Sears or motorcycle
shop). Sometimes will extract screws with rounded-off slots. Don't
bother with special sockets, though. Get Craftsman or similar and trade
in the rare one that breaks.

All sockets should be 6 point. A 2-3 foot 3/8" socket extension can be
very useful when rebedding deck gear.

Sometimes a honkin big pipe wrench is just the ticket on an old boat --
but don't expect to use that part again.

We carry a "universal" "V" belt; the type that you cut to size. Haven't
had a belt break in 10 years, but a friend got home with ours once.

A cheap Radio Shack digital multimeter is far more useful than any
analog one. Get two and seal one against corrosion.

The manual slam-with-a-hammer crimping tool for big cables. Cable and
lugs aren't tough to find, but they aren't worth much if you can't
attach them properly.

Loos gauge, if one will work with your shrouds (not sure if they work
for rod). I check ours about monthly; indicated a problem that I found
was a dry-rotted compression post that I hadn't noticed until I looked
carefully. I marked the various tensions on the gauge to assist fallable
memory.

Squeeze-bulb siphon. I built ours so it can also be temporarily inserted
into the fuel line to help bleed down or diagnose the system. With the
fittings taken off, it sucked the junk out of the bottom of the tank.
Can also replace the outboard's fuel line.

Hand bilge pump. Ours empties the ice box, bilge, dink and so forth.
Handier than I expected. Fits in pretty much no space, but I wish I got
one with more than 2' of hose.

Spares, seldom used tools & all my electrical stuff go into metal ammo
boxes. Yes, the steel can rust, but they seal much better and are more
durable than anything else I've found. Don't forget something to lable
the boxes.

Personally, I go for small vs sexy: I love those fancy oil suckers, but
they're 10-20 times bigger than the brass hand pump that does the job in
10 minutes (with 20 minutes of clean-up ;-) Lust after a 1 gallon shop
vac, but a sponge and bucket gets it drier. Love the 174 piece
everything-in-its-place kits, but can put the 50 I actually use in a
10th of the space.

Re-evaluate your needs year or two into your trip: Any tools that you
don't use for a year or two probably aren't needed and can be sold or
bartered. Those Leatherman tools *sound* good, but ours stayed home one
Spring after a couple years' attempted use. Same with the standard
pliers and survival knife.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/