Got tools in your boat?

[redelf75]

this year I added a wind-up flashlight. I used to keep a 3 D-cell Maglight but the batteries kept running down, especially at the end of the season. I also like the battery starter, but don't have room on the boat for it. But I bring it in the truck anyway.

[Grant_West]

Im suprised at the # of people that have dead battery's. With all the information out there with automatic solonoids ect it takes the Idiot factor out of the set up so how are people Still having dead battery's.
IMO Stereo or No Stereo going out on the water with only one battery is pressing your luck.

It might be a good Idea if some one posted some Ideas about a First Aid kit. What to have, Someone talked about derma bond that stuff is awesome where can you get some my wife is a nurse and she cant even get it?

[AbunDiga909]

We have a little first aid kit. It's pretty pathetic, and is about the size of a cell phone, but it makes the DEP happy...

[surroundsound64]

At my school's lake party last Saturday, I was letting a guy use my wakeboard. Somehow he managed to cut his toe. All I had was a grease rag. hehe.

Hey, it's better than nothing!

But then the jerk left the bloody rag on my floor when he got out. Oh well... hehe.

[Clibka]

The number one device that will save a day on the water is a battery pack. These can be bought for less than $50 and will start a boat if you run down the battery. They also run the boat if your battery fails completely or the battery cable clamps break and don't connect properly.
Second, would be an impeller and paper gasket. An impeller can be changed on the water relatively easily, of course you need a tool kit.
I always supply my customers with a spare o-ring for the raw water strainer as it is easy to lose when cleaning the screen.
A leatherman type tool probably covers most bases for small tightening of fasteners or cuttting loose a ski rope.
A prop puller and prop would certainly help, but nearly impossible to change in the water, so keeping in the car would be ok.
Steve

Getting prepped for my first season, started working on toolkits and accessories. This has been a good thread to get going on that, can someone point me toward a good $50 battery pack? Sounds like a must have. Thanks!

[Woody_tobius_jr]

I have a pretty decent first aid kit. It has everything, plus I put in a few packets of Burn Gel and also some coagulant in case somebody opens themselves up. I like to live by the " better safe than sorry" motto

[Whitetail15]

clibka- i have a sears power pack that has a small air compressor built in. you can buy one on sale for 50-60. you can jump any battery if needed and repair a tire with it. it is also super small . i keep it in my truck.

[Clibka]

This is how far I've gotten, feel free to make suggestions, criticize, and help me dial it in. For example ... What size are the nuts on the hose clamps? I could use a nut driver for that, but I don't need a whole set.

I am going to add some boat specific stuff: impeller, cleaning supplies, and _______.

[AirTool]

For example ... What size are the nuts on the hose clamps? I could use a nut driver for that, but I don't need a whole set.

5/16"

I am going to add some boat specific stuff: impeller, cleaning supplies, and _______.

an 0-ring for the raw water strainer.

[s_kelley2000]

Looking good! I'd add some zip ties, those always seem to come in handy. It never hurts to have a little duct tape and electrical tape around. A pair of wire strippers and crimpers and some wiring connectors are another good thing to have. You may want to swap out the hammer for a small dead blow but chances are you probably won't need either for an on-water fix. Probably not necessary but I keep a couple of extra hose clamps in my kit just in case one happens to pop off and end up somewhere in the bilge I don't want to be searching for it. I keep a backup drain plug in the boat at all times, very cheap insurance should you leave it sitting in your truck and you realize it in the middle of the lake.....happens to the best of them! I am not sure if the newer boats need a "gas key" to open the gas fill but if so an extra one of those is cheap and good to keep in the boat as well. I haven't added it to my kit yet but a mask and divers knife are great to have if you ever get a rope caught in your prop. You mentioned impeller but you should carry a spare ballast impeller as well.

[AirTool]

I haven't added it to my kit yet but a mask and divers knife are great to have if you ever get a rope caught in your prop.

that reminds me. After our first outing with a rope in the prop and no knife, I bought a box cutter that was thinner than usual but big enough to grip and it had a hole for a line. I tied a decent cord to it then vacuum packed it w/my game saver. That way, it would not be rusted when I needed it and the little kids wouldn't mess with it in the glove box. I'm wondering now if that package might float? I'll have to try it.

[GCSuper]

I too had a fairly basic tool bag that I've collected stuff in since our first boat in 1986. Unfortunately, that tool collection was stolen by some scumbag while our boat was on the lift. They even cut the cover instead untying a couple of ropes. So I started a new collection last year and have all the basics covered. One issue I have with our 210 that I haven't needed on other boats is removing the center drain plug. There just isn't much room for pliers, cresent wrench, etc, so I found a water key wrench at home depot that was only a foot long and still fits in the tool bag. Makes it much quicker and eaiser to pull the plug.

[Zach@n3]

Add a extension or two to go along with that socket set. Guarnteed you will have a situation where you need to use one.

[Woody_tobius_jr]

How many of you carry the Weekend Saver with a spare prop with you in your truck or even in your boat ( even though you won't be changing it in the water).

[laurie8888]

I dont believe one has to close the seacock when changing impeller on water...........at least my boat hasnt sunk yet?

for boats in salt....add plastic and metal scrapers for those nasty barnacles