opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

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.

It's a 46 foot ketch with a Perkins 4-154 and a Northern Lights 8kw genset,
both in the "mature hours" segment of their lives but surveyed as sound. It
has the usual assortment of electrical stuff which I hope to mostly keep
happy with ample solar and some wind generation plus more storage than is
currently (pardon the pun - about 440AH) available, as peace and quiet is
high on my list (vs running engines and gensets). Unfortunately to my
taste, a great deal of the electric stuff is 110, but it's got lots of
inverter capability, so the trick will be to keep power happening (see
solar, etc., peace and quiet, above).

The storage available is pretty good, so space isn't a particular challenge,
though, of course, every boat has a limit. For at least the expected first
year, we'll be island hopping, working our way from Ft. Lauderdale or
equivalent to Trinidad or so, and back to our expected Saint Thomas base,
ETD/ETA Nov 04/05.

So, the question is, for a full-time cruising boat equipped as above, what
tools and spares would you bring along? Would you bring specialized tools
(such as some electronic diagnostic/reading stuff) or spares (ability to
rebuild stuff)? If they're not commonly available, I'd appreciate sources,
as well.

Thanks...

L8R

Skip and Lydia

--
"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a clear
night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize that you are
quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to you that in the
general scheme of things you are merely an insignificant speck on the
surface of the ocean; and are not nearly so important or as self-sufficient
as you thought you were. Which is an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one
that may effect a permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly
appreciated by your friends."- James S. Pitkin

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

"Skip Gundlach" wrote in
message ink.net...
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.

Skip-

We had 2 6cyl Perkins' as generators on the yacht I lived on (mains were GM
12-71T's). I learned to keep a 10mm open-end wrench handy at all times;
when air gets in the injection system (and I haven't a clue how it does, but
it definitely does), crack the fuel line to the #1 injector with the wrench
while cranking the engine. Works everytime. If I think of anything else
I'll let you know.

Wendy

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

"Skip Gundlach" wrote in
message ink.net...
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.

Skip-

We had 2 6cyl Perkins' as generators on the yacht I lived on (mains were GM
12-71T's). I learned to keep a 10mm open-end wrench handy at all times;
when air gets in the injection system (and I haven't a clue how it does, but
it definitely does), crack the fuel line to the #1 injector with the wrench
while cranking the engine. Works everytime. If I think of anything else
I'll let you know.

Wendy

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

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. We also have 5 large plastic
tool boxes, arranged by usage: wood working, electrical, mechanical, power
tools, and plumbing/refrigeration. For instance, the canvas bag has a 3/8
and 1/4 inch drive socket sets, while the mechanical box has the 1/2 inch
drive set and gear puller. The canvas bag will have 1/4 and 3/4 inch wood
chisels, while the lesser used tools like planes and C clamps are in the wood
working plastic box. The canvas bag will have a few solderless crimp
connectors, electrical tape and sidecutters, while the soldering irons and
the Fluke multimeter are in the electrical plastic box. Many power tools
come with their own individual plastic cases that take up a lot of space. We
stow the power tools in a single large plastic crate. All the various
attachments, cutting heads, and blades are stored in the power tool plastic
box. Periodically I have to sort out the canvas tool bag as tools seem to
have a way of migrating to it, and the bag gets heavier and heavier. We also
have a large canvas ice bag with emergency damage control items (hack saw, 2
pound hammer, rigging wire cutters, wood plugs, hose clamps, rags, and lots
of other stuff) to rapidly respond to a serious situation.



grandma Rosalie

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

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. We also have 5 large plastic
tool boxes, arranged by usage: wood working, electrical, mechanical, power
tools, and plumbing/refrigeration. For instance, the canvas bag has a 3/8
and 1/4 inch drive socket sets, while the mechanical box has the 1/2 inch
drive set and gear puller. The canvas bag will have 1/4 and 3/4 inch wood
chisels, while the lesser used tools like planes and C clamps are in the wood
working plastic box. The canvas bag will have a few solderless crimp
connectors, electrical tape and sidecutters, while the soldering irons and
the Fluke multimeter are in the electrical plastic box. Many power tools
come with their own individual plastic cases that take up a lot of space. We
stow the power tools in a single large plastic crate. All the various
attachments, cutting heads, and blades are stored in the power tool plastic
box. Periodically I have to sort out the canvas tool bag as tools seem to
have a way of migrating to it, and the bag gets heavier and heavier. We also
have a large canvas ice bag with emergency damage control items (hack saw, 2
pound hammer, rigging wire cutters, wood plugs, hose clamps, rags, and lots
of other stuff) to rapidly respond to a serious situation.



grandma Rosalie

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

On my previous boat I made a canvas 'rollup' pouch for the combination
wrenchs and a similar one for the screw drivers and pliers. Before I put the
tools into these pouches, I soaked the canvas in light oil.. The objective
being to prevent the canvas from absorbing any water or moisture..

Worked fine, even with the set of larger wrenches stored for a year or
longer without being opened..

I have been gathering a set of combinations (both metric and inch), sockets,
gasket punches, locking pliers, needle nose, dykes, lineman, channel locks,
various size cresents, C clamps, electrical tools, drill bit set to 1/2",
hole saw set, hack saw, screw drivers, nut drivers, drill motors to 1/2",
center and drift punches, torque wrench chisels, easy out set, tap and die
set and the list goes on.. Most of these tools I already have in my home
work shop, but rather than rob that collection, I went to Harbor Frieght and
purchased the better quality of their 'cheap' tool line..

As you can see, I'm a tool freak and don't leave home without them..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

On my previous boat I made a canvas 'rollup' pouch for the combination
wrenchs and a similar one for the screw drivers and pliers. Before I put the
tools into these pouches, I soaked the canvas in light oil.. The objective
being to prevent the canvas from absorbing any water or moisture..

Worked fine, even with the set of larger wrenches stored for a year or
longer without being opened..

I have been gathering a set of combinations (both metric and inch), sockets,
gasket punches, locking pliers, needle nose, dykes, lineman, channel locks,
various size cresents, C clamps, electrical tools, drill bit set to 1/2",
hole saw set, hack saw, screw drivers, nut drivers, drill motors to 1/2",
center and drift punches, torque wrench chisels, easy out set, tap and die
set and the list goes on.. Most of these tools I already have in my home
work shop, but rather than rob that collection, I went to Harbor Frieght and
purchased the better quality of their 'cheap' tool line..

As you can see, I'm a tool freak and don't leave home without them..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:

On my previous boat I made a canvas 'rollup' pouch for the combination
wrenchs and a similar one for the screw drivers and pliers. Before I put the
tools into these pouches, I soaked the canvas in light oil.. The objective
being to prevent the canvas from absorbing any water or moisture..

Worked fine, even with the set of larger wrenches stored for a year or
longer without being opened..

I have been gathering a set of combinations (both metric and inch), sockets,
gasket punches, locking pliers, needle nose, dykes, lineman, channel locks,
various size cresents, C clamps, electrical tools, drill bit set to 1/2",
hole saw set, hack saw, screw drivers, nut drivers, drill motors to 1/2",
center and drift punches, torque wrench chisels, easy out set, tap and die
set and the list goes on.. Most of these tools I already have in my home
work shop, but rather than rob that collection, I went to Harbor Frieght and
purchased the better quality of their 'cheap' tool line..

As you can see, I'm a tool freak and don't leave home without them..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:

On my previous boat I made a canvas 'rollup' pouch for the combination
wrenchs and a similar one for the screw drivers and pliers. Before I put the
tools into these pouches, I soaked the canvas in light oil.. The objective
being to prevent the canvas from absorbing any water or moisture..

Worked fine, even with the set of larger wrenches stored for a year or
longer without being opened..

I have been gathering a set of combinations (both metric and inch), sockets,
gasket punches, locking pliers, needle nose, dykes, lineman, channel locks,
various size cresents, C clamps, electrical tools, drill bit set to 1/2",
hole saw set, hack saw, screw drivers, nut drivers, drill motors to 1/2",
center and drift punches, torque wrench chisels, easy out set, tap and die
set and the list goes on.. Most of these tools I already have in my home
work shop, but rather than rob that collection, I went to Harbor Frieght and
purchased the better quality of their 'cheap' tool line..

As you can see, I'm a tool freak and don't leave home without them..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

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/

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

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/

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth
every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.


That wouldn't work since 90% of the screws and bolt are non magnetic. The
only that are, are on the engine..

I don't like to have anything magnetic around the boat. Ya never know where
it might end up being stored and that would mess up the compass
compensation..

--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth
every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.


That wouldn't work since 90% of the screws and bolt are non magnetic. The
only that are, are on the engine..

I don't like to have anything magnetic around the boat. Ya never know where
it might end up being stored and that would mess up the compass
compensation..

--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:


Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth
every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.


That wouldn't work since 90% of the screws and bolt are non magnetic. The
only that are, are on the engine..

I don't like to have anything magnetic around the boat. Ya never know where
it might end up being stored and that would mess up the compass
compensation..

--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

it was engine work that I was thinking of.

You asked for suggestions....


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:


Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth
every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.


That wouldn't work since 90% of the screws and bolt are non magnetic. The
only that are, are on the engine..

I don't like to have anything magnetic around the boat. Ya never know where
it might end up being stored and that would mess up the compass
compensation..

--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

it was engine work that I was thinking of.

You asked for suggestions....


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

Question on Backstay Tensioner
 

Anyone have plans (showing dimensions) for the Stearn Sailboat Systems
(defunct) Backstay Tensioner. My O-ring phenolic nipple shattered and I need
to get dimensions to have another one built (or pay $700 for a new Backstay
Tensioner).

art

Question on Backstay Tensioner
 

Anyone have plans (showing dimensions) for the Stearn Sailboat Systems
(defunct) Backstay Tensioner. My O-ring phenolic nipple shattered and I need
to get dimensions to have another one built (or pay $700 for a new Backstay
Tensioner).

art

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

x-no-archive:yes

Dazed and Confuzed wrote:
Steve wrote:

Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth
every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.

That wouldn't work since 90% of the screws and bolt are non magnetic. The
only that are, are on the engine..

I don't like to have anything magnetic around the boat. Ya never know where
it might end up being stored and that would mess up the compass
compensation.
--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

it was engine work that I was thinking of.

You asked for suggestions....

Actually it was Skip and not Steve who asked. But I agree - NO
MAGNETIC TRAYS. Too easy to screw up your compass on which you
depend. And there's more than one compass if you have an autopilot -
at least ours has a fluxgate compass under the aft cabin berth.

You don't really need a magnetic tray for engine work anyway - all
that stuff is going to be down in the bilge and probably won't fall
overboard.

grandma Rosalie

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

x-no-archive:yes

Dazed and Confuzed wrote:
Steve wrote:

Get a set of magnetic trays for holding screws/nuts, etc. Cheap and worth
every
penny. Also a couple of GOOD worklights.

That wouldn't work since 90% of the screws and bolt are non magnetic. The
only that are, are on the engine..

I don't like to have anything magnetic around the boat. Ya never know where
it might end up being stored and that would mess up the compass
compensation.
--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

it was engine work that I was thinking of.

You asked for suggestions....

Actually it was Skip and not Steve who asked. But I agree - NO
MAGNETIC TRAYS. Too easy to screw up your compass on which you
depend. And there's more than one compass if you have an autopilot -
at least ours has a fluxgate compass under the aft cabin berth.

You don't really need a magnetic tray for engine work anyway - all
that stuff is going to be down in the bilge and probably won't fall
overboard.

grandma Rosalie

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Skip: I sent you my spares inventory off list in a Word document, if your
e-mail isn't spoofed. The most useful thing I have on board is a good
cordless drill. As far as "special" tools, I have one of those big razor
cutters that looks like a big pair of scissors, but with a long razor blade
on one side as the cutter. I use it all the time for hoses, ropes, etc. I
also use an infrared thermometer to take all kinds of temp measurements.
Things like the alternator, each injector on the ME, the shaft log, the A/C
units, etc. I have a HUGE crescent wrench, 24" I think that is worth it's
weight in gold occasionally. A chain type vise grip gets used sometimes;
almost nothing else will do. I also have a strap wrench that gets used
fairly often. I have a Fein multimaster that is great for finish sanding,
working on teak decks, and other things.

--


Keith
__
"My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to
be an uncle or an aunt."
-Chuck Nevitt , North Carolina State basketball player,
explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at
practice, 1982.
"Skip Gundlach" wrote in
message ink.net...
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.

It's a 46 foot ketch with a Perkins 4-154 and a Northern Lights 8kw
genset,
both in the "mature hours" segment of their lives but surveyed as sound.
It
has the usual assortment of electrical stuff which I hope to mostly keep
happy with ample solar and some wind generation plus more storage than is
currently (pardon the pun - about 440AH) available, as peace and quiet is
high on my list (vs running engines and gensets). Unfortunately to my
taste, a great deal of the electric stuff is 110, but it's got lots of
inverter capability, so the trick will be to keep power happening (see
solar, etc., peace and quiet, above).

The storage available is pretty good, so space isn't a particular
challenge,
though, of course, every boat has a limit. For at least the expected
first
year, we'll be island hopping, working our way from Ft. Lauderdale or
equivalent to Trinidad or so, and back to our expected Saint Thomas base,
ETD/ETA Nov 04/05.

So, the question is, for a full-time cruising boat equipped as above, what
tools and spares would you bring along? Would you bring specialized tools
(such as some electronic diagnostic/reading stuff) or spares (ability to
rebuild stuff)? If they're not commonly available, I'd appreciate
sources,
as well.

Thanks...

L8R

Skip and Lydia

--
"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a clear
night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize that you are
quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to you that in the
general scheme of things you are merely an insignificant speck on the
surface of the ocean; and are not nearly so important or as
self-sufficient
as you thought you were. Which is an exceedingly wholesome thought, and
one
that may effect a permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly
appreciated by your friends."- James S. Pitkin

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Skip: I sent you my spares inventory off list in a Word document, if your
e-mail isn't spoofed. The most useful thing I have on board is a good
cordless drill. As far as "special" tools, I have one of those big razor
cutters that looks like a big pair of scissors, but with a long razor blade
on one side as the cutter. I use it all the time for hoses, ropes, etc. I
also use an infrared thermometer to take all kinds of temp measurements.
Things like the alternator, each injector on the ME, the shaft log, the A/C
units, etc. I have a HUGE crescent wrench, 24" I think that is worth it's
weight in gold occasionally. A chain type vise grip gets used sometimes;
almost nothing else will do. I also have a strap wrench that gets used
fairly often. I have a Fein multimaster that is great for finish sanding,
working on teak decks, and other things.

--


Keith
__
"My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to
be an uncle or an aunt."
-Chuck Nevitt , North Carolina State basketball player,
explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at
practice, 1982.
"Skip Gundlach" wrote in
message ink.net...
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.

It's a 46 foot ketch with a Perkins 4-154 and a Northern Lights 8kw
genset,
both in the "mature hours" segment of their lives but surveyed as sound.
It
has the usual assortment of electrical stuff which I hope to mostly keep
happy with ample solar and some wind generation plus more storage than is
currently (pardon the pun - about 440AH) available, as peace and quiet is
high on my list (vs running engines and gensets). Unfortunately to my
taste, a great deal of the electric stuff is 110, but it's got lots of
inverter capability, so the trick will be to keep power happening (see
solar, etc., peace and quiet, above).

The storage available is pretty good, so space isn't a particular
challenge,
though, of course, every boat has a limit. For at least the expected
first
year, we'll be island hopping, working our way from Ft. Lauderdale or
equivalent to Trinidad or so, and back to our expected Saint Thomas base,
ETD/ETA Nov 04/05.

So, the question is, for a full-time cruising boat equipped as above, what
tools and spares would you bring along? Would you bring specialized tools
(such as some electronic diagnostic/reading stuff) or spares (ability to
rebuild stuff)? If they're not commonly available, I'd appreciate
sources,
as well.

Thanks...

L8R

Skip and Lydia

--
"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a clear
night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize that you are
quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to you that in the
general scheme of things you are merely an insignificant speck on the
surface of the ocean; and are not nearly so important or as
self-sufficient
as you thought you were. Which is an exceedingly wholesome thought, and
one
that may effect a permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly
appreciated by your friends."- James S. Pitkin

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Speaking of cordless drills, I have a couple Skill TopGun Pros (one for home
shop and one for boat) each has two 12 volt battery packs and charger..

I've found that the automatic battery charge doesn't like to operate off the
inverter for some reason. Gets very hot.. So I only recharge the batteries
when on shore power or gen. set..

Not a good arrangement in am emergency situation..

So, what I have done is convert one (opened and remove the cells) of the old
dead battery packs to 12 vdc cord and plug.. Now I can plug it directly into
the boat 12 volt system or use the one remaining good battery pack.. As much
as I like the portability of the rechargeable arrangement, I have found that
the drill has twice as much torgue when 12vdc cord powered..

Just something I thought I should pass on..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Speaking of cordless drills, I have a couple Skill TopGun Pros (one for home
shop and one for boat) each has two 12 volt battery packs and charger..

I've found that the automatic battery charge doesn't like to operate off the
inverter for some reason. Gets very hot.. So I only recharge the batteries
when on shore power or gen. set..

Not a good arrangement in am emergency situation..

So, what I have done is convert one (opened and remove the cells) of the old
dead battery packs to 12 vdc cord and plug.. Now I can plug it directly into
the boat 12 volt system or use the one remaining good battery pack.. As much
as I like the portability of the rechargeable arrangement, I have found that
the drill has twice as much torgue when 12vdc cord powered..

Just something I thought I should pass on..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Nice issue - let me add my experience to the discussion. We cruised 7
years in the Pacific from the Aleutians to New Zealand, from Japan &
China to LA and many islands. We have a 52' glass boat, 4-236 Perkins
and 6 KW Northern Lights genset. Getting ready to go again later this
year.

1st, your location - you'll be in the easy access islands in the
Caribbean - you're not going to Mars, or even the space station. St.
Thomas is regular US territory - complete with NAPA, Autozone, UPS, US
Mail service, etc. You can buy oil filters, Racor filters, hose
clamps, wrenches, even rice and farm raised fresh salmon to your
hearts content. Trinidad is not exactly the remote Amazon basin
either. You're not going to be in Papua New Guinea for 6 months like
we were. What I saying is that all cruisers (even us starting out)
spent way too much money on "what-if" stuff (food, tools, spares) and
dragged too much never needed crap around. Save the money and the
weight. You'll need the space for duty-free liquor.

2nd, some stuff is hard to buy (or very expensive) even in relatively
civilized places - like really good batteries. Friends had a gel 8D
battery crap out in Fiji - they only had 2 8D's. Ended up flying one
in from LA. Big $$$. Don't leave home with crappy batteries. Buy new
now and buy flooded ones. Also things like the rudder - you can't take
a spare and it's hard to get one built - triple check it for integrity
before you leave - even if you have to drill a dozen holes in it to
ensure it's clean inside. Friends lost their rudder (broke off and
sank) 20 miles before arriving in the Marquesas - cost them $1200 for
the tow in and 2 months of talking, waiting, wasting time.

3rd, the stuff that breaks and causes big immediate problems are
things like the alternator and belts, impellers, the autopilot, the
stove & propane system, rigging spares, depth sounder, outboard spark
plugs, steering system, windlass, fresh water pressure pump, those
kind of things. They impact you immediately. You need to prepare for
these situations. Eg, you can get an auto elect shop to sell you or
build for you an exact duplicate drop-in alternator - so you can
change out a dead one in 10 minutes - no spacers, no belt size diffs,
no wiring connector changes. Why take spare bearing and diodes and try
to repair yourself.

4th, other junk like the wind generator (you'll be getting rid of this
if you really like peace and quiet), winch grease, and the other 1000
things can wait - you can live without for a few weeks if something
happens.

I still have 1200 ft of 5/8" nylon line new but 15 years old (and
never used - or needed), old sanders I never use, and on and on -
clogging up the boat.



On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 19:21:42 GMT, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:


It's a 46 foot ketch with a Perkins 4-154 and a Northern Lights 8kw genset,
both in the "mature hours" segment of their lives but surveyed as sound. It
has the usual assortment of electrical stuff which I hope to mostly keep
happy with ample solar and some wind generation plus more storage than is
currently (pardon the pun - about 440AH) available, as peace and quiet is
high on my list (vs running engines and gensets). Unfortunately to my
taste, a great deal of the electric stuff is 110, but it's got lots of
inverter capability, so the trick will be to keep power happening (see
solar, etc., peace and quiet, above).

The storage available is pretty good, so space isn't a particular challenge,
though, of course, every boat has a limit. For at least the expected first
year, we'll be island hopping, working our way from Ft. Lauderdale or
equivalent to Trinidad or so, and back to our expected Saint Thomas base,
ETD/ETA Nov 04/05.

So, the question is, for a full-time cruising boat equipped as above, what
tools and spares would you bring along? Would you bring specialized tools
(such as some electronic diagnostic/reading stuff) or spares (ability to
rebuild stuff)? If they're not commonly available, I'd appreciate sources,
as well.

Thanks...

L8R

Skip and Lydia

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Nice issue - let me add my experience to the discussion. We cruised 7
years in the Pacific from the Aleutians to New Zealand, from Japan &
China to LA and many islands. We have a 52' glass boat, 4-236 Perkins
and 6 KW Northern Lights genset. Getting ready to go again later this
year.

1st, your location - you'll be in the easy access islands in the
Caribbean - you're not going to Mars, or even the space station. St.
Thomas is regular US territory - complete with NAPA, Autozone, UPS, US
Mail service, etc. You can buy oil filters, Racor filters, hose
clamps, wrenches, even rice and farm raised fresh salmon to your
hearts content. Trinidad is not exactly the remote Amazon basin
either. You're not going to be in Papua New Guinea for 6 months like
we were. What I saying is that all cruisers (even us starting out)
spent way too much money on "what-if" stuff (food, tools, spares) and
dragged too much never needed crap around. Save the money and the
weight. You'll need the space for duty-free liquor.

2nd, some stuff is hard to buy (or very expensive) even in relatively
civilized places - like really good batteries. Friends had a gel 8D
battery crap out in Fiji - they only had 2 8D's. Ended up flying one
in from LA. Big $$$. Don't leave home with crappy batteries. Buy new
now and buy flooded ones. Also things like the rudder - you can't take
a spare and it's hard to get one built - triple check it for integrity
before you leave - even if you have to drill a dozen holes in it to
ensure it's clean inside. Friends lost their rudder (broke off and
sank) 20 miles before arriving in the Marquesas - cost them $1200 for
the tow in and 2 months of talking, waiting, wasting time.

3rd, the stuff that breaks and causes big immediate problems are
things like the alternator and belts, impellers, the autopilot, the
stove & propane system, rigging spares, depth sounder, outboard spark
plugs, steering system, windlass, fresh water pressure pump, those
kind of things. They impact you immediately. You need to prepare for
these situations. Eg, you can get an auto elect shop to sell you or
build for you an exact duplicate drop-in alternator - so you can
change out a dead one in 10 minutes - no spacers, no belt size diffs,
no wiring connector changes. Why take spare bearing and diodes and try
to repair yourself.

4th, other junk like the wind generator (you'll be getting rid of this
if you really like peace and quiet), winch grease, and the other 1000
things can wait - you can live without for a few weeks if something
happens.

I still have 1200 ft of 5/8" nylon line new but 15 years old (and
never used - or needed), old sanders I never use, and on and on -
clogging up the boat.



On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 19:21:42 GMT, "Skip Gundlach"
wrote:


It's a 46 foot ketch with a Perkins 4-154 and a Northern Lights 8kw genset,
both in the "mature hours" segment of their lives but surveyed as sound. It
has the usual assortment of electrical stuff which I hope to mostly keep
happy with ample solar and some wind generation plus more storage than is
currently (pardon the pun - about 440AH) available, as peace and quiet is
high on my list (vs running engines and gensets). Unfortunately to my
taste, a great deal of the electric stuff is 110, but it's got lots of
inverter capability, so the trick will be to keep power happening (see
solar, etc., peace and quiet, above).

The storage available is pretty good, so space isn't a particular challenge,
though, of course, every boat has a limit. For at least the expected first
year, we'll be island hopping, working our way from Ft. Lauderdale or
equivalent to Trinidad or so, and back to our expected Saint Thomas base,
ETD/ETA Nov 04/05.

So, the question is, for a full-time cruising boat equipped as above, what
tools and spares would you bring along? Would you bring specialized tools
(such as some electronic diagnostic/reading stuff) or spares (ability to
rebuild stuff)? If they're not commonly available, I'd appreciate sources,
as well.

Thanks...

L8R

Skip and Lydia

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:

Speaking of cordless drills, I have a couple Skill TopGun Pros (one for home
shop and one for boat) each has two 12 volt battery packs and charger..

I've found that the automatic battery charge doesn't like to operate off the
inverter for some reason. Gets very hot.. So I only recharge the batteries
when on shore power or gen. set..

Not a good arrangement in am emergency situation..

So, what I have done is convert one (opened and remove the cells) of the old
dead battery packs to 12 vdc cord and plug.. Now I can plug it directly into
the boat 12 volt system or use the one remaining good battery pack.. As much
as I like the portability of the rechargeable arrangement, I have found that
the drill has twice as much torgue when 12vdc cord powered..

Just something I thought I should pass on..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Might be a good idea to put a high capacity fuse in the line. If anything ever
happens to the drill motor, the drill will melt from the power dissipated by the
short.

other than that, a good idea.


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:

Speaking of cordless drills, I have a couple Skill TopGun Pros (one for home
shop and one for boat) each has two 12 volt battery packs and charger..

I've found that the automatic battery charge doesn't like to operate off the
inverter for some reason. Gets very hot.. So I only recharge the batteries
when on shore power or gen. set..

Not a good arrangement in am emergency situation..

So, what I have done is convert one (opened and remove the cells) of the old
dead battery packs to 12 vdc cord and plug.. Now I can plug it directly into
the boat 12 volt system or use the one remaining good battery pack.. As much
as I like the portability of the rechargeable arrangement, I have found that
the drill has twice as much torgue when 12vdc cord powered..

Just something I thought I should pass on..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Might be a good idea to put a high capacity fuse in the line. If anything ever
happens to the drill motor, the drill will melt from the power dissipated by the
short.

other than that, a good idea.


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

A
You disappoint me. I was waiting for Skip to do a spreadsheet and shopping
list of everything recommended, then buy it all and watch his boat sink from
the excess weight. Boo hoo. I was going to sell him all the excess junk we
hauled around for 3 years.
Bruce

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

A
You disappoint me. I was waiting for Skip to do a spreadsheet and shopping
list of everything recommended, then buy it all and watch his boat sink from
the excess weight. Boo hoo. I was going to sell him all the excess junk we
hauled around for 3 years.
Bruce

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

My 12vdc service outlets are on a 15 amp breaker.. I have outlets all over
the boat for the drill, a 12 vdc soldering iron and a few other 12 gadgets..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

My 12vdc service outlets are on a 15 amp breaker.. I have outlets all over
the boat for the drill, a 12 vdc soldering iron and a few other 12 gadgets..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:

My 12vdc service outlets are on a 15 amp breaker.. I have outlets all over
the boat for the drill, a 12 vdc soldering iron and a few other 12 gadgets..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

ah.


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

Steve wrote:

My 12vdc service outlets are on a 15 amp breaker.. I have outlets all over
the boat for the drill, a 12 vdc soldering iron and a few other 12 gadgets..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

ah.


--

Don't like the looks of nudists? Complain to the manufacturer.

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
A
You disappoint me. I was waiting for Skip to do a spreadsheet and
shopping
list of everything recommended, then buy it all and watch his boat sink
from
the excess weight. Boo hoo. I was going to sell him all the excess junk
we
hauled around for 3 years.
Bruce

LOL!!

Well, then, how about a list of what *not* to buy?? Yours should be a good
reference point, I'd expect.

That said, I'm aware of the relative availability of 'stuff' in the
Caribbean in general. However, I'd rather fix something that breaks than
hobble to someplace to have someone else do it, if I'm able and equipped. I
really don't want to carry more than I need, but, for example, a spare
starter and alternator and injectors + pump seems worthwhile, along with the
water pump parts and belts and the usual consumables.

I'd be very nervous without filters and a few other things, as well...

So, your comments on what you never used in 3 years would be welcome - as
have been the comments preceding! - thank you all, and keep them coming...

L8R

Skip, full survey on 16Feb

PS how's the rebuild coming?
--
"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a clear
night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize that you are
quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to you that in the
general scheme of things you are merely an insignificant speck on the
surface of the ocean; and are not nearly so important or as self-sufficient
as you thought you were. Which is an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one
that may effect a permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly
appreciated by your friends."- James S. Pitkin

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
A
You disappoint me. I was waiting for Skip to do a spreadsheet and
shopping
list of everything recommended, then buy it all and watch his boat sink
from
the excess weight. Boo hoo. I was going to sell him all the excess junk
we
hauled around for 3 years.
Bruce

LOL!!

Well, then, how about a list of what *not* to buy?? Yours should be a good
reference point, I'd expect.

That said, I'm aware of the relative availability of 'stuff' in the
Caribbean in general. However, I'd rather fix something that breaks than
hobble to someplace to have someone else do it, if I'm able and equipped. I
really don't want to carry more than I need, but, for example, a spare
starter and alternator and injectors + pump seems worthwhile, along with the
water pump parts and belts and the usual consumables.

I'd be very nervous without filters and a few other things, as well...

So, your comments on what you never used in 3 years would be welcome - as
have been the comments preceding! - thank you all, and keep them coming...

L8R

Skip, full survey on 16Feb

PS how's the rebuild coming?
--
"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a clear
night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize that you are
quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to you that in the
general scheme of things you are merely an insignificant speck on the
surface of the ocean; and are not nearly so important or as self-sufficient
as you thought you were. Which is an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one
that may effect a permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly
appreciated by your friends."- James S. Pitkin

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

x-no-archive:yes

What I got from Bob this evening for a 1979 CSY 44 (which is about 50
feet if you count the bow pulpit and dinghy davits) fiberglass boat
with a Perkins 4-154 engine, 2 banks of four 6 volt batteries each,
four solar panels and a wind generator - no genset - cruising up and
down the ICW with some off shore legs.

He has:

cordless drill
4-1 screw driver and a whole bunch of other tools (tool box)
2 foot channel locks
strap wrenches
chain strap wrench
cable cutter (used for making jacklines out of cable and cutting the
staysail stay)
wrenches for the motor mounts
roto tool for routing and cutting, and a saber saw (he's built a
storage cabinet this winter and got my snorkel mask all full of
sawdust)
infrared thermometer - used on engine and refrigeration
spare throttle/clutch transmission cable (after ours broke when we
were anchored in the wilds of SC)
spare exhaust mixer elbow (after ours disintegrated being made of
aluminum - it lasted 20 some odd years though - had one made up by a
plumbing supply shop)
spare injectors, spare starter, spare alternator, spare electric fuel
pump, spare raw water pump, spare engine cooling pump, spare
alternator bracket (ours broke offshore), spare thermostats, several
fuel and several oil filters
spare caps for the dinghy chambers, and spare plug for the dinghy
although Bob lost the check valve off it today.
sewing machine - like Sailrite but that won't do actual sails
inverters for the sewing machine and tools, plus little ones for small
stuff
three changes of oil - change every 200 hours-mfg recommends oftener
but we use synthetic
rebuilt kit for the marine toilets and a handful of joker valves
spare batteries for the GPSs, battery operated lights etc.
spare hoses for everything (he thinks) and spare belts out the ying
yang

We have broken the water pressure pump and replaced it but don't have
a spare at the moment. But for what we are doing and where we are, we
can just go buy another one if we need it.


"Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
A
You disappoint me. I was waiting for Skip to do a spreadsheet and
shopping
list of everything recommended, then buy it all and watch his boat sink
from
the excess weight. Boo hoo. I was going to sell him all the excess junk
we
hauled around for 3 years.
Bruce

LOL!!

Well, then, how about a list of what *not* to buy?? Yours should be a good
reference point, I'd expect.

That said, I'm aware of the relative availability of 'stuff' in the
Caribbean in general. However, I'd rather fix something that breaks than
hobble to someplace to have someone else do it, if I'm able and equipped. I
really don't want to carry more than I need, but, for example, a spare
starter and alternator and injectors + pump seems worthwhile, along with the
water pump parts and belts and the usual consumables.

I'd be very nervous without filters and a few other things, as well...

So, your comments on what you never used in 3 years would be welcome - as
have been the comments preceding! - thank you all, and keep them coming...

L8R

Skip, full survey on 16Feb

PS how's the rebuild coming?

grandma Rosalie

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

x-no-archive:yes

What I got from Bob this evening for a 1979 CSY 44 (which is about 50
feet if you count the bow pulpit and dinghy davits) fiberglass boat
with a Perkins 4-154 engine, 2 banks of four 6 volt batteries each,
four solar panels and a wind generator - no genset - cruising up and
down the ICW with some off shore legs.

He has:

cordless drill
4-1 screw driver and a whole bunch of other tools (tool box)
2 foot channel locks
strap wrenches
chain strap wrench
cable cutter (used for making jacklines out of cable and cutting the
staysail stay)
wrenches for the motor mounts
roto tool for routing and cutting, and a saber saw (he's built a
storage cabinet this winter and got my snorkel mask all full of
sawdust)
infrared thermometer - used on engine and refrigeration
spare throttle/clutch transmission cable (after ours broke when we
were anchored in the wilds of SC)
spare exhaust mixer elbow (after ours disintegrated being made of
aluminum - it lasted 20 some odd years though - had one made up by a
plumbing supply shop)
spare injectors, spare starter, spare alternator, spare electric fuel
pump, spare raw water pump, spare engine cooling pump, spare
alternator bracket (ours broke offshore), spare thermostats, several
fuel and several oil filters
spare caps for the dinghy chambers, and spare plug for the dinghy
although Bob lost the check valve off it today.
sewing machine - like Sailrite but that won't do actual sails
inverters for the sewing machine and tools, plus little ones for small
stuff
three changes of oil - change every 200 hours-mfg recommends oftener
but we use synthetic
rebuilt kit for the marine toilets and a handful of joker valves
spare batteries for the GPSs, battery operated lights etc.
spare hoses for everything (he thinks) and spare belts out the ying
yang

We have broken the water pressure pump and replaced it but don't have
a spare at the moment. But for what we are doing and where we are, we
can just go buy another one if we need it.


"Skip Gundlach"
wrote:

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
A
You disappoint me. I was waiting for Skip to do a spreadsheet and
shopping
list of everything recommended, then buy it all and watch his boat sink
from
the excess weight. Boo hoo. I was going to sell him all the excess junk
we
hauled around for 3 years.
Bruce

LOL!!

Well, then, how about a list of what *not* to buy?? Yours should be a good
reference point, I'd expect.

That said, I'm aware of the relative availability of 'stuff' in the
Caribbean in general. However, I'd rather fix something that breaks than
hobble to someplace to have someone else do it, if I'm able and equipped. I
really don't want to carry more than I need, but, for example, a spare
starter and alternator and injectors + pump seems worthwhile, along with the
water pump parts and belts and the usual consumables.

I'd be very nervous without filters and a few other things, as well...

So, your comments on what you never used in 3 years would be welcome - as
have been the comments preceding! - thank you all, and keep them coming...

L8R

Skip, full survey on 16Feb

PS how's the rebuild coming?

grandma Rosalie

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

What not to bring is a better idea. I was going to take spare injectors
until the guy who owned a diesel repair facility is St Thomas told me that a
spare would last 6 months at best before the tip would go bad. I didn't
take any and I never needed one. My advise is to go through the boat and
write down every piece of gear you have on the boat and pretend it is going
to break. Go shop for replacements. If you can easily find a replacement
here, you can find it in the Island chain. Budget Marine is generally
better stocked than West. If you can't, then start watching ebay for a
spare. A friend came through yesterday with a Simrad Autopilot problem. It
was going to cost him $750 for a circuit board. This is the kind of stuff
to look for when filling up hiddy holes. If you have a watermaker, then
take a spare membrane but not a rebuild kit for the pump.
Congradulations on you new boat...it has been a long road.

On rebuilding the Endeavour, I went to replace the headliner and found that
the moorons who built the boat, installed all the headliner wood in the
coach roof...stapled in the headliner and then mated the top to the hull.
All the wood is running over the top of the bulkheads and you couldn't take
down the headliner. I developed a technique to cut the wood out and will
post photos of the process at a later date on my website. After I get the
wood removed, I am going to reengineer the coach roof by adding stiffeners
and the Velcro the headliner in place in 2' sections. The roof of a 43 is
like a diving board.
Later
Bruce

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

What not to bring is a better idea. I was going to take spare injectors
until the guy who owned a diesel repair facility is St Thomas told me that a
spare would last 6 months at best before the tip would go bad. I didn't
take any and I never needed one. My advise is to go through the boat and
write down every piece of gear you have on the boat and pretend it is going
to break. Go shop for replacements. If you can easily find a replacement
here, you can find it in the Island chain. Budget Marine is generally
better stocked than West. If you can't, then start watching ebay for a
spare. A friend came through yesterday with a Simrad Autopilot problem. It
was going to cost him $750 for a circuit board. This is the kind of stuff
to look for when filling up hiddy holes. If you have a watermaker, then
take a spare membrane but not a rebuild kit for the pump.
Congradulations on you new boat...it has been a long road.

On rebuilding the Endeavour, I went to replace the headliner and found that
the moorons who built the boat, installed all the headliner wood in the
coach roof...stapled in the headliner and then mated the top to the hull.
All the wood is running over the top of the bulkheads and you couldn't take
down the headliner. I developed a technique to cut the wood out and will
post photos of the process at a later date on my website. After I get the
wood removed, I am going to reengineer the coach roof by adding stiffeners
and the Velcro the headliner in place in 2' sections. The roof of a 43 is
like a diving board.
Later
Bruce

opinions sought for full-time cruiser Tools and Spares selection
 

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
What not to bring is a better idea. I was going to take spare injectors
until the guy who owned a diesel repair facility is St Thomas told me that
a
spare would last 6 months at best before the tip would go bad. I didn't
take any and I never needed one.

Now that is a bunch of BS.. I'm amazed that any mechanic would make such a
statement..

A new or rebuilt injector is filled with diesel or calibration fluid and
once you seal it up in oiled rags in a zip lock bag it will last for ever..
There is just no way it can deteriorate. The spare injector I carryed around
on my last boat (same engine as now) is in perfect condition after 15 years
in storage.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions