splat 55 Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Hi As always it is difficult to keep unnecessary gear out of the boat for racing trim purposes while still complying with Category requirements. What is the minimum tool kit you carry and why? What is your mustn't leave behind and cannot do without? How, in what, why and where do you store your tool kit? Completely redoing ours in for Cat 3/2 and wondering what others do cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nagy592 21 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 Great question and I'm surprised the lack of response, especially because it could be lifesaving. Just look at the Golden Globe fleet. Those people spent years for preparation, I guess they asked the same question, and I guess they had to make compromise on things, some of them made a bad call as it is already proven. So the real question is, what do you really want. Do you want to comply, or you want to be able to cope whatever coming up and than you could determine the amount of tools and spares, also to find a spot for them. The other theoretical question is, how capable you are, and how much you could contribute to extinguish an emergency situation. I seen boat with top notch toolkits stowed perfectly and the skipper had not a clue about the use of half of them. So the real "waste" to take anything what you couldn't use or don't know what it is. Again it is theoretical and just a general comment. About storage... I'm just clearing out everything from the boat and found "secretly" placed spares and tools what I had no idea they are on board. I have to screen them before put them back as most of them very specific spare for gear which is not on board anymore. I guess I will save a couple of hundred kg... Anyway if you seeking a short answer, take anything what you think, lave everything behind what you don't think you need then ask your cat inspector if he wants to see more. I guess it wasn't much help but this is a "crousers" point of view. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vorpal Blade 89 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 Any farm boy will tell you fencing pliers can do most things, wire cutters, pliers, hammer, spikey bit for driving pins through and more. They are available in stainless steel too. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,587 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 In one of Bolger's books he quotes Bob Wise who built Loose Moose: upon completion they moved aboard with all the tools they had used to build her. Now that's a neat trick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 Depends what your doing of course. I carry Lot of tools, but it's now a bit depleted on what I had offshore. The offshore kit consisted of to much to list easily, but included: 1/2 inch drive metric and imperial socket set, 10-32mm 3/8 drive combo socket set incl deep reach 1/4 inch socket set Ring/open end combo spanner set, 6-22mm Comprehensive screw driver set Punch set Hacksaw and spare blades 3 ball pien hammers, different sizes 3 sidecutters, different sizes 3 sizes bull nose pliers 3 sizes needle nose pliers Various files Feeler blades Callipers, interior and exterior Micrometer Battery drill Mains drill Disk grinder, grinding and cut off wheels Vice Riveter Hot knife Fid sets Needles and sail repair kit Plumbing crimper Drill pump Comprehensive electrical terminal kit Electrical terminal crimper Decent multimeter Small tap and die set Butane soldering set Mirror There's quite a bit more, (boat building/repair stuff, Resin, cloth etc) but that gives you an idea... Heaps of spares and consumables as well. Finally, within the offshore cruising fleet, there is a lot of knowledge, and even if you don't know how to sort out a particular issue, you are likely to find someone who's got the knowledge and is willing to help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 157 Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 A selection of Jubilee clamps, a tube of the red high temp RTV and a few short hose pieces , have saved my bacon a few times. Also some cheap electrical choc block If you are racing weight is a consideration, here's few items that I think are must haves; Hacksaw plus spare blades- rig removal ball peen hammer- useful for persuasion spanners to suit bolts on board usually a few small ring and open enders for fittings and an adjustable good quality sidecutters- electrical work, rigging wire vice grips, std and/or small needle nose- very useful as second pair of hands needle nose pliers- generally useful screwdrivers to suit punch or small drift, removing pins Tape, electrical and duct (3-M) el cheapo mulitmeter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 157 Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 Well I suppose they are not tools as such but still handy. A selection of Jubilee clamps, a tube of the red high temp RTV and a few short hose pieces , have saved my bacon a few times. Also some cheap electrical choc block Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Machina 366 Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 Ratchet ring spanners are a must on my boat. each spanner has 4 sizes so big space and weight saving from a racing point of view Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 000 Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 Thanks to all contributors to this post! I showed it to my wife who frequently complains about the size of my spare parts/tool locker compared to her galley cupboards. Now, by comparison with you guys I'm looking good... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Priscilla II 392 Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 I own a woody so its a Studley for me. All cordless too. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
splat 55 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 1 Mitre10 smaller tool assortment kit in plastic box. duct tape electrical tape sharp knife and blades (25mm blade or bigger) boltcutters (I use bolt as I have rod rigging, if you have wire use wire cutters) A selection of UHMwPE lines including 2 lengths of a good 6mm 12mts long. Sail repair kit 5 min Epoxy and some bits of cloth. A small selection of shackles, thimbles and the like. Hey Knot me - what diameter rod and what size bolt cutters do you have? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 352 Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 to add to IT's list (I am sure he has most of them) allen keys (metric and imperial) Screw drivers or bits for any weird heads Drill press for the electric drill Crescent big enough for largest fastener on board (and maybe a large Stilson) Rigid Offset Hex Pipe Wrench 4' length of scaffold tube (good for repelling borders as well) stubby socket ratchet couple of spanners and/or sockets that can grip on (ahem) rounded off nuts Wire Strippers a small wood handsaw a workbench Quote Link to post Share on other sites
splat 55 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 So have you had a practise on that diameter rod with your bolt cutters?...like proverbial through butter or somewhat less speedy? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 to add to IT's list (I am sure he has most of them) allen keys (metric and imperial) Screw drivers or bits for any weird heads Drill press for the electric drill Crescent big enough for largest fastener on board (and maybe a large Stilson) Rigid Offset Hex Pipe Wrench 4' length of scaffold tube (good for repelling borders as well) stubby socket ratchet couple of spanners and/or sockets that can grip on (ahem) rounded off nuts Wire Strippers a small wood handsaw a workbench all those except the drill press, and the workbench. Both those are at home... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vic008 17 Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 Nowadays I have a small plastic box containing side cutters 6" crescent Stubby screwdriver with diff bits Pliers Couple of fav screwdrivers " " odds/sods Do 90% of jobs with this Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytom 643 Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 wd40 or crc and a small axe. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.