F I X S T U F F

Written By Todd Neville

TOOLS & Gear

“Cruising” = Boat repair in exotic locations with no parts

Lessons learned and what I wish I had

Plus other gadgets that have proven worthwhile

This is a blog entry I plan to revisit and update over time, so I’ll try to add some dates to the comments. Please feel free to add your ideas or in the comments at the bottom

Feb 13, 2023

I just completed a Marine DIesel class in Annapolis, MD at the Annapolis School of Seamanship which was taught by Scott Segal from AR Marine Diesel Service. Highly recommend Scott and the class by the way. Textbook is Nigel Calder’s “Marine Diesel Engines” 3rd edition. This forms the basis for the list below, but I’m also including my own edits over time. I’ll try to link to the actual tools I use when possible.

Whenever possible, buy stainless. It costs more, but on a boat, everything else will rapidly be a mess.

The list below is what I carry. Yes I know how to use and have used everything on the list, sometimes in anger. No, you can’t borrow them.

Wrenches

Socket Sets

Screw Drivers and Nut Drivers

Pliers

  • Linesman pliers

  • Channel lock / tongue and groove / water pump pliers

  • Slip joint pliers

  • Vice Grips / locking pliers: Needle nose and regular

  • Needle nose and bent nose

  • Oil filter pliers (ideally locking)

  • Snap ring pliers

  • Impeller puller pliers

  • Hemostats

Electrical

  • Side cutter pliers / wire cutters

  • Wire stripper

  • Wire crimper

  • Digital auto-ranging multi-meter with spare batteries

  • Clamp on ampmeter

  • High amp “jumper cables” and low amp “alligator clips” jumper wire sets

  • Hydrometer

  • Brass wire brush set (toothbrush and large brush)

  • Assorted wire crimp connectors and small spare spool tinned wire

  • Dielectric grease

  • Power Probe: PP319FT @powerprobe.com

  • Heat shrink tubing variety pack and spool if you are doing a lot of electrical work.

  • Label gun with tube labels and regular flat labels

  • Remote starter switch (OTC 3650 or Actron CP7854)

  • Extension cord

  • Solder kit and torch

Personal Protection Equipment

Speciality Tools

  • Multitool. I loved the Juice, but it’s discontinued. Now carry the P2 Free when I’m doing maintenance. Else I just carry the best sailing knife ever made.

  • Hook and pick set

  • Telescoping mirror

  • Telescoping magnet

  • Telescoping grab tool set (various lengths)

  • XL screwdriver or small pry bar

  • Folding bucket or crushable silicon bowl to catch fluid

  • Jam nut valve adjustment tool set (eg: Astro) sized for motor(s)

  • Valve feeler gauge set: recommend the “bent” versions to get into crampted spaces

  • Ball peen hammer

  • Timing light

  • Compression gauge (engine-specific injector adapter, often sold in a kit)

Measure and Test

  • Infrared temperature gun

  • Coolant tester

  • Tape measure

Cut

  • Best sailing knife ever. (Myerchin TF377: Gen 2, Titanium Crew)

  • Sandpaper

  • Metal file(s): small, large, round, flat

  • Folding hacksaw

  • Metric and SAE tap and die sets

  • Multiple sets of drill bits

  • Hole saw kit

Stick

Unstick

  • Grease Gun - depending on boat. At least small tube of SuperLube grease

  • CRC / WD-40 / CorrosionX / FluidFilm (Spray on anything metal, frequently)

  • Liquid dish soap (also doubles as water soluble lube for things like impellers)

  • MareLube and Tef45 or Tef-Gel, especially on bolts that are dissimilar metals but anything that should move: valves, pumps, etc

  • Brake Cleaner (get gunk off tough things)

  • 3M Adhesive remover (get gunk off of delicate things)

  • Gasket scraper

Bare Minumum Spares

Offshore should plan for more extensive failure self-recovery (spare starter, water pump, fuel pump, alternator, hoses, etc)

  • Air filter, if used

  • Raw water impeller and gasket/O-ring (OEM)

  • Heat exchanger end cap gasket set. Woven graphite lasts longest but are fragile prior to install.

  • Belts (2 of each type for each engine)

  • Replacement zincs

  • Variety pack of crush washers

  • Oil filters OEM (multiple for each engine)

  • Secondary fuel filters OEM (multiple for each engine)

  • Primary fuel filter elements (eg: Raycor). Many. This is what clogs first and often when you get bad fuel. Usually ~20 micron.

  • Engine Oil - enough for 2 complete oil changes, at least CI-4.

  • Transmission oil - often same as engine oil

  • Engine coolant sufficient for 2 flushes. Recommend Shell Rotella ELC NF (Extended Life Nitrite Free)

  • Lots of marine grade hose clamps

  • Variety pack of spare hose that fits your engine

Power Tools

OhSh!t Kit

  • StayAfloat

  • Lots of plugs of various sizes. I like Forespar Sta-Plug and mini Sta-Plug.

  • Various sizes water seal tape

  • Water seal paste. Recommend several small tubs versus a huge one as it reacts rapidly with air or moisture.

  • Bigger tubes of JB-KwikWeld. Sets in 6 minutes which can be an eternity but also a miracle. Sticks to almost anything, holds 3127 PSI and 300ºF.

  • Epoxy paste. For when you need to make a little sculpture.

  • The Metal Cutter listed above under power tools lives in a waterproof case with a battery, in case rigs need to be modified in a hurry. I cut through my stainless backstay in about 4 seconds. (we were replacing the backstay and the boat was on the hard, no drama)

Rope splicing

Carryology

  • Lighter weight tools go in these

  • Heavier wrenches have fared well in this.

  • A lot of those in turn go in this to keep moisture out. It’s built like a tank, works well. I have one for powertools, another for everything else. except the spares.

Todd Neville
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Sailing Platforms