News:

2-15-25: Gerry Hutchins, founder of Com-Pac, has crossed the bar and headed west.

Sincere condolences to his family, and a huge "Thank You!" to Gerry from all of us, I'm sure.
Requiescat in pace.

Main Menu

Your Spare Parts Kit

Started by passagesfromtheheart, January 22, 2026, 03:36:08 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

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!

* Formerly Seachelle on the CPYOA forums *
2024 Com-Pac Legacy | SV Starflower
2013 Com-Pac 23 | SV Charm
2008 Com-Pac Legacy | SV Soliloquy (FOR SALE)
2002 Com-Pac 25 | SV Solitude (SOLD)
2021 Com-Pac Legacy | SV Sunflower (SOLD)
1990 Com-Pac 23D | SV No Mas (SOLD)
Website: https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@passagesfromtheheart

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
Former Harbor Master/Boat Tech, Certified in West System, Interlux, and Harken products.
Worked on ALL aspects of the sailboat, 17 years experience.
"I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea."
-Alaine Gerbault.

kickingbug1

  it never fails. the thing you don't bring----you end up needing
oday 14 daysailor, chrysler musketeer cat, chrysler mutineer, com-pac 16-1 "kicknbug" renamed "audrey j", catalina capri 18 "audrey j"

crazycarl

Quote from: kickingbug1 on Yesterday at 12:04:17 PMit never fails. the thing you don't bring----you end up needing

Or immediately drop overboard when putting it to use.
Oriental, "The Sailing Capitol of North Carolina".

1985 Compac 19/II  "Miss Adventure"
1986 Seidelmann 295  "Sur La Mer" - FOR SALE
1990 Pacific Seacraft Orion "Madame Blue"

passagesfromtheheart

Quote from: MacGyver on Yesterday at 10:45:57 AMFor 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
* Formerly Seachelle on the CPYOA forums *
2024 Com-Pac Legacy | SV Starflower
2013 Com-Pac 23 | SV Charm
2008 Com-Pac Legacy | SV Soliloquy (FOR SALE)
2002 Com-Pac 25 | SV Solitude (SOLD)
2021 Com-Pac Legacy | SV Sunflower (SOLD)
1990 Com-Pac 23D | SV No Mas (SOLD)
Website: https://passagesfromtheheart.wordpress.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@passagesfromtheheart