Your Spare Parts Kit

[passagesfromtheheart]

I realize this is a very general topic and answers will also vary from boat-to-boat/ boat-owner to boat-owner, but I am still curious. Here are some specific questions that come to mind:

** What are the essentials of your spare parts kit on your boat(s)? (e.g. cotter pins, shackles, etc)

** Do you keep extra sails onboard?

** What sort of outboard engine parts (or inboard)?

We can also expand this to include tools/supplies in your tool box.

** What are the tools you cannot live without on your boat?

** Rigging tape, electrical tape, etc?

Again, I realize this is VERY general -- but please share your thoughts with what you have for your boat -- I will learn from you and thank you so much for your input!

[MacGyver]

For some reason this sounds fun to me,

I keep a small box of pins and speed rings on the boat all having to do with the boat rig itself, so worst case if rigging, I already have an extra (a few really) on board. I have found over the years that if I keep extras of what I need, I never lose anything. When I don't I lose them and cant find replacements easily LOL

I also Keep a few shackles around, various kinds including a twisted D ring (no clue why on that D ring, just do)

I keep one suit of sails on board, usually like Main, 110 Jib, 155 Genoa, usually no more than that.

Engine parts is a easy deal, I keep one or 2 spark plugs, Emergency pull rope if the engine is fitted for it, and the spare tools kit to the motor which has the flat head and spark plug wrench deal.

I bought a craftsman binder like setup that has a 3/8 ratchet, and sockets, including a 1/4 adapter with some sockets, also has a few wrenches, and a multi bit screwdriver in the kit. In a bag I have a full set of screwdrivers, some needle nose pliers and some rigging stretch tape along with SS wire roll for emergency use or also safety tie offs.

I used to keep electrical tape, but it goes bad so I quit that, the stretch rigging does a good job and if temporary would be fine for me since I do my own work anyway. I do also keep a simple multimeter when using the boat so I can watch the battery voltage and know its state of charge that way.

Some can't do without is a Rigging knife, and then a small channel locks, small vice grips, and small needle nose vice grips. Links below. Carried all of these when I worked at the marina working on sailboats, the guys and I constantly used these tools rigging and de-rigging boats, all day everyday. easy pick for having them on the boat no doubt! and to me the price is right! worked for 16 ft boats all the way to 41! (never went bigger than 41 so there is that!)

https://a.co/d/4VffxtU
https://a.co/d/3adZd9y
https://a.co/d/4w9ga2d

Side note, I never lost one of these overboard, but had a guy that was on his 5th pair, he couldn't be without them! Hope those links work, if not let me know. One guy had a old set of channel locks mini that he bought with a real nice leather holster for his belt, I never had that.....

Mac

[kickingbug1]

  it never fails. the thing you don't bring----you end up needing

[crazycarl]

it never fails. the thing you don't bring----you end up needing

Or immediately drop overboard when putting it to use.

[passagesfromtheheart]

For some reason this sounds fun to me,

I keep a small box of pins and speed rings on the boat all having to do with the boat rig itself, so worst case if rigging, I already have an extra (a few really) on board. I have found over the years that if I keep extras of what I need, I never lose anything. When I don't I lose them and cant find replacements easily LOL

I also Keep a few shackles around, various kinds including a twisted D ring (no clue why on that D ring, just do)

I keep one suit of sails on board, usually like Main, 110 Jib, 155 Genoa, usually no more than that.

Engine parts is a easy deal, I keep one or 2 spark plugs, Emergency pull rope if the engine is fitted for it, and the spare tools kit to the motor which has the flat head and spark plug wrench deal.

I bought a craftsman binder like setup that has a 3/8 ratchet, and sockets, including a 1/4 adapter with some sockets, also has a few wrenches, and a multi bit screwdriver in the kit. In a bag I have a full set of screwdrivers, some needle nose pliers and some rigging stretch tape along with SS wire roll for emergency use or also safety tie offs.

I used to keep electrical tape, but it goes bad so I quit that, the stretch rigging does a good job and if temporary would be fine for me since I do my own work anyway. I do also keep a simple multimeter when using the boat so I can watch the battery voltage and know its state of charge that way.

Some can't do without is a Rigging knife, and then a small channel locks, small vice grips, and small needle nose vice grips. Links below. Carried all of these when I worked at the marina working on sailboats, the guys and I constantly used these tools rigging and de-rigging boats, all day everyday. easy pick for having them on the boat no doubt! and to me the price is right! worked for 16 ft boats all the way to 41! (never went bigger than 41 so there is that!)

https://a.co/d/4VffxtU
https://a.co/d/3adZd9y
https://a.co/d/4w9ga2d

Side note, I never lost one of these overboard, but had a guy that was on his 5th pair, he couldn't be without them! Hope those links work, if not let me know. One guy had a old set of channel locks mini that he bought with a real nice leather holster for his belt, I never had that.....

Mac

Hi, Mac ~

Cannot express enough gratitude for this contribution of yours -- this is absolutely fantastic and exactly what I was looking for -- thank you so much!!!

I didn't realize that you live in Carlyle and that you work at the marina there at the lake -- we've been talking about possibly relocating to that area. Over 20 yrs ago, we lived in the St. Louis area, but at the time, we boated on Lake Ozark. We always wanted to check out Carlyle Lake, just never got there before we moved away. Would love to talk with you about the area when you have time.

Btw, would love to get you on my podcast!😊

Fair winds!
~ Chelle

[Jim in TC]

For some reason this sounds fun to me,

I keep a small box of pins and speed rings on the boat all having to do with the boat rig itself, so worst case if rigging, I already have an extra (a few really) on board. I have found over the years that if I keep extras of what I need, I never lose anything. When I don't I lose them and cant find replacements easily LOL

I also Keep a few shackles around, various kinds including a twisted D ring (no clue why on that D ring, just do)

I keep one suit of sails on board, usually like Main, 110 Jib, 155 Genoa, usually no more than that.

Engine parts is a easy deal, I keep one or 2 spark plugs, Emergency pull rope if the engine is fitted for it, and the spare tools kit to the motor which has the flat head and spark plug wrench deal.

Our boat is named Mehitabel, and I keep a copy of the book Archie and Mehitabel aboard, just for fun.

I bought a craftsman binder like setup that has a 3/8 ratchet, and sockets, including a 1/4 adapter with some sockets, also has a few wrenches, and a multi bit screwdriver in the kit. In a bag I have a full set of screwdrivers, some needle nose pliers and some rigging stretch tape along with SS wire roll for emergency use or also safety tie offs.

I used to keep electrical tape, but it goes bad so I quit that, the stretch rigging does a good job and if temporary would be fine for me since I do my own work anyway. I do also keep a simple multimeter when using the boat so I can watch the battery voltage and know its state of charge that way.

Some can't do without is a Rigging knife, and then a small channel locks, small vice grips, and small needle nose vice grips. Links below. Carried all of these when I worked at the marina working on sailboats, the guys and I constantly used these tools rigging and de-rigging boats, all day everyday. easy pick for having them on the boat no doubt! and to me the price is right! worked for 16 ft boats all the way to 41! (never went bigger than 41 so there is that!)

https://a.co/d/4VffxtU
https://a.co/d/3adZd9y
https://a.co/d/4w9ga2d

Side note, I never lost one of these overboard, but had a guy that was on his 5th pair, he couldn't be without them! Hope those links work, if not let me know. One guy had a old set of channel locks mini that he bought with a real nice leather holster for his belt, I never had that.....

Mac

Our kit is not quite so thorough and I will have to go by memory to reply but here goes:

Our Sun Cat came with a nice toolkit that includes the basics plus a socket set in mm and inches. All of the tools have come in handy, even to the point of tightening gudgeons while in a big blow when the rudder started to wobble. A decent knife with a few unused tool attachments. About the only bit that I might add would be vice grip tools.

A box of spare parts includes shackles in a variety, clevis pins, variety of cotter pins and rings (which have gotten me out at least one jam that I can remember), a couple sail slugs, a variety of screws and bolts, other bits that I do not recall.

For the Torqueedo there is an extra shear pin and a prop. A charging cord that would connect to the 12 volt batteries is also on board though the addition of the spare battery is more reliable, and as it turns out we are not cruising far enough from port to need either. Though it is nice to know it is there!   

No spare sails, but of course lots of lines in a variety of sizes and lengths (used relatively infrequently, but handy once when I fulfilled a long-standing dream of towing, under sail, a small power boat into port).

Our boat is named Mehitabel, and I keep a copy of the book "Archie and Mehitabel" aboard just for fun.

[brackish]

I carry a lot of the above mentioned items, but one that is not mentioned.  My 23 has a Nissan 6hp sailpro motor and the boat is about 35 miles from home.  On more than one occasion I've gone up there and the trip has been delayed or canceled because that motor won't start.  I now carry a spare carb and the sockets and extensions to remove and replace.  It takes fifteen minutes to do that vs half a day to tear it down, clean it, and hope it starts.

[Amedaius]

I have a box with a wide variety of clevis pins, cotter pins, and small shackles(measures a mere 6"x4"x2"). 2 small adjustable wrenches, an 11-in-1 (I work HVAC, so this tool has earned a spot simply due to availability.) 550 cord and a jet lighter. 3 in 1 oil. A knife of course. I do have a box of rivets and a rivet gun, but that stays in my tow vehicle. A couple spare generic blocks. With this setup I can heave-to and fabricate just about any fitting well enough to limp back to the launch at least, if not just keep sailing. I recently added a socket set with the right size sockets for the tiller, the mast step, and the battery bolts.

I currently keep 5 sails for my CP16, an old main+jib, and a new main, jib, and genoa. For my 19, I only have a single set of sails at the moment, but it has a furling jib (which I personally dislike).

If I am using an electric motor, I have a spare battery. If I am using a gas motor I bring a trolling motor backup. I have motor trust issues.

My main problem is that all the above tools minus the rivet gun are from my main house set, so I can't just leave them stowed in the cabin, and instead end up lugging them around in my tow vehicle.

[passagesfromtheheart]

Have really loved reading through these posts -- thanks to all for sharing!

Btw, Amedaius, I have motor trust issues, too. I'm not kidding when I say I've actually considered installing oarlocks and buying a set of oars just in case!😁 Likely not going to happen, unless perhaps I decide to, one day, do the R2K race -- hmmmm....that would be quite interesting! A gal can always dream big!