Basic Tools to Keep on a Boat

Having some kind of tool set on your boat is important for ensuring that any small issues that happen while you are out boating can be taken care of while you are out on the water. You may not be able to fix every issue that might happen out on the water, but you cannot fix a problem if you don’t have any tools with you. To some extent it is a safety issue. Now, the number and type of tools you have depends on several factors. Some of those factors include storage space, typical issues, and your own personal ability to repair and troubleshoot problems.

Storage Constraints

One of the biggest impacts to the tools you should have on your boat is the size of vessel and the amount of storage available. The larger the vessel the more storage there should be for tools and spare parts. This makes sense, because the larger the boat the more things that can go wrong on that boat and the more specialized tools need to be available. Smaller boats tend to have less storage, and tools are not the only thing that need to be stored on a boat. Fortunately, the smaller the boat the fewer things that can break. It is still critical to have certain basic tools available on any size boat.

Typical Issues and Tool Requirements

Every boat and engine will have its quirks. There is no definitive list of things you can expect from your boat that you can necessarily prepare for. To some extent you will have to learn what to expect from your own boat and engine. A great majority of small issues are largely a result of the piloting style of the vessel operator. If you are the type of operator that goes out and heavy seas and runs the vessel hard then you will probably need to tighten fasteners all over the vessel regularly. You’ll need whatever type of tool is needed to tighten those fasteners. That could be a ratchet, a flathead screwdriver, or Phillips head screwdriver, or a combination of these things if it needs to be secured from both sides.

Personal Limitations and Tools on a Boat

Probably the biggest impact on what tools should be kept on a boat is an individual’s ability to diagnose and fix a mechanical issue. If you don’t know which end of a screwdriver is used to tighten a screw, then it doesn’t do you much good to have a screwdriver on the boat. It is worth learning some basic functions of tools and how boats work before you are out on the water. The risks and likelihood of something going wrong on the water are not small. On top of that the repercussions of something going wrong are very bad, so learn what you are doing on the water, at least a bit. Just be smart about what you take out on the water. Make sure you have enough tools to take care of the issues you feel comfortable fixing on the water. Anything beyond that, make sure you have a way of contacting a towing company.

Tool Maintenance on a Boat

A big mistake people make when it comes to having tools on their boat is they never maintain the tools. This is especially a problem around saltwater. Boaters will put all these great tools on their boat and just forget about them. Even the best tools will still rest around saltwater. Maintaining your tools is just as important as having the tools in the first place. Some lubricating spray, like WD-40 is valuable for maintaining tools. Keeping them is a sealed container is also helpful in keeping your tools from rusting or seizing up. There are few things more frustrating on a boat than seeing a problem, knowing you can fix it, and going for the tool that you have for a change only to find it seized up. It is an easy fix; it just requires some preventative maintenance and care.

Recommended Tool List

• Screwdriver Set (Flathead and Phillips head)
• 220 Grit Sandpaper
• Spare Fuses
• Diagonal Cutters
• Wire Strippers/Crimpers, 16 Gauge Wire, Wire Terminals
• WD-40 or other lubricating spray
• Needle Nose Plyers
• Adjustable wrench
• Ratchet Set (Metric and SAE)

This list is just a few tools we recommend based on our experience. These tools cover most of the basic mechanical need of most boats and engines. Your needs may be different.