Tool Kits, spare parts and dinghy options

A

Andrew Custis

Staff member
Factory Employee
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Messages
1,389
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
If we could have some of you list off some critical tools that you think are very important to keep on board It would help me out since I always get asked this question by new customers.

Here it was I would carry for Tools off of the top of my head.

1. Shallow and Deep socket set.
2. Nut Driver set
3. Multimeter
4. Open end wrench set
5. Standard and Metric allen wrench sets.
6. Pliers, dikes, wire strippers ect....
7. Cordless drill
8. Drill bit and driver bit sets including #1, #2 and #3 square bit sizes.
9. Screw Driver assortment
10. Battery jumper pack.

As for spare parts here is what I come up with off the top of my head.

1. Generator Oil filter
2. Generator Impeller
3. Racor fuel filter element
4. Engine fuel filter
5. Engine oil filter
6. Serpentine belt for the engine
7. Generator Zinc
8. Prop zinc
9. Engine zinc
10. Trim tab zincs if you have them on.
11. Spare prop for long trips?


I have heard nothing but great things about the Portland Pudgy. Mac would be your best bet to ask since he owns one.


PS: This is started for you Norb 😀
 
I got tired of carrying two flavors of wrench sets, and bought a kit from metrinch. They fit standard or metric sizes, and they grab the sides of bolt heads, not the corners, so no more rounded off corners. I have had mine about 15 years now, and the plastic hinge on the case has failed, but other than that I love them.

Dinghies need tool kits too, and a few first aid supplies. Here is my small boat tool kit.
 
After all the trouble we went through getting something as simple as a oil filter, I just can't imagine trying to find a spare serpentine belt to carry around just in case... Andrew, you know what I'm talking about. Several weeks and a major run around by Cummins N.W.

I hope things are better there than they were 8 months ago.

John
 
I'm glad Andrew mentioned the square head screwdrivers in his suggested kit. I had never met one of these until I became a TugNut. Now I keep a set aboard, as well as one in my tool bucket. These are technically called "Robertson" bits or drivers. Klein tools makes a high quality set, and the definitive source of all things square drive is a Catalog/Internet company, McFeeleys. (Apparently these originated in Canada, which may explain how they "leaked" over the border into Kent, WA.)
Alex, "Kamalani"
 
As long as you call Cummins NW they will be able to find it for you. These engines are now becoming a bit more common and you will see improvements FAST with there stock of these parts all over the US.
 
This what the Laurie Ann currently carries:
1. Electrical Bag: variety of different types of connectors for wire sizes on the boat, heat shrink tubing, crimping tool, wire cutters, long nose pliers, wire stripping tool, bag of cable ties of various sizes, #12, #18 wire (black and red), electrical tape, fuse supply kit (blade type and standard type)
2. Mechanical Bag: (this is a canvas bag that does not scratch the boat and carries a lot) Channel locks, pliers, Yanmar and Lewmar tools that came with that equipment, Phillips and Standard screw drivers-stubby size, smallest and regular size, driver handle that converts to a T-handle (at Sears) and all the bits mentioned earlier, LED headlamp (WOW!), LED small light, telescoping inspection mirror, case cutter, measuring tape, all the metric and standard sockets mentioned earlier, short and long extensions and universal joint for sockets, open end and box end wrenches in metric and standard, All (pointy, sharp tool), files (flat, round, small triangle), allen wrenches (standard and metric), special marked allen wrench for canvas frame tightening and socket for hose clamp tightening (that was really smart!)
3. Routine Repair Box (Action Packer box with snap down lid): bag of hose clamps of various sizes, bag of rags, bag of different adhesives and epoxy, funnels for coolant and oil (they are different and marked that way), canvas snap repair kit, steering hydraulic fluid,, duct tape, blue tape, electrical tape, colored duct tape, plastic box of stainless screws, nuts, and bolts, gel coat and catalyst for white and another in hull color
4. Major Repair Box (Action Packer box with snap down lid):2 by 4's to pound on and work off off, hammer, heavy gauge berry wire, large breaker bar for sockets, oil filter wrench, Racor filter wrench, Yanmar filter wrench, sea water impeller puller tool, spare filters (oil, racor and Yanmar)
 
That's quite a list, John. I assume you carry a spare impeller since you carry a puller.

A customer of mine once had to change the impeller in a Perkins diesel, and in getting the old one off, they lost the impeller shaft key into the bilge and could not retrieve it. They had a new impeller, but no spare key. The key in that engine was kind of half-moon shaped. After puzzling over the situation for a while, he took some big wire cutters and snipped a few pennies in half. Jammed together into the slot, they made a serviceable "key" in the shaft and allowed them to continue home.
 
In Florida trying to find parts for the Cummins QSD engine is like trying to find a needle in a hay-stack. Few boat manufacturers are utilizing the engine, so there are not many QSD boat owners. As for CMD (Cummins Mercury Diesel), don't even bother trying to locate QSD parts from any Mercury source. It appears that Cummins NW is a good source for QSD parts, does anyone have a contact name and telephone number?

Does anyone by chance have the Cummins part numbers for the QSD engine fuel filter, raw water impeller, and serpentine belt? I shudder to think what these parts will cost as they want $50+ for a simple paper oil filter that should not cost over $15.

Replacing the raw water impeller appears to be a major undertaking requiring a contortionist with along arm. In the CMD manual they say, "CMD strongly recommends that this service be performed by a CMD authorized repair facility." My local Cummins dealer never heard of a QSD engine till I started asking about parts. I don't think I want to pay for their on the job training session while trying to figure out how to replace my impeller! Has anyone done this, if so what has to be removed etc. to be able to get to and remove the back side of the pump? Is an impeller puller required?

Henry
 
Anyone familiar with "Metrinch," a tool set that fits "both metric and inch size hardware?" Norb
 
Went to Metrinch's web site.. The only potential down side that I could see was that if you are operating with a wrench or socket in a tight space where you have limited handle movement, there is too much lost motion before the wrench or socket takes a grip on the nut or bolt. This might result in your not being able to utilize a Metrinch wrench or socket over a conventional ones.
Henry
 
henrym":3smqh3gm said:
Went to Metrinch's web site.. The only potential down side that I could see was that if you are operating with a wrench or socket in a tight space where you have limited handle movement, there is too much lost motion before the wrench or socket takes a grip on the nut or bolt. This might result in your not being able to utilize a Metrinch wrench or socket over a conventional ones.
Henry
Click to expand...

That has not been a problem for me, but the sockets are a bit larger than ordinary ones. In places with very tight clearance around bolt heads, the sockets are sometimes just too large in diameter to fit.
 
Andrew,

Are your recommended tools etc. valid for all boats? Would it matter what engine I had (Volvo D$ 300) ?

thanks,
 
Hello,

I think the recommend tool kit is a good one for every boat short of a packing gland type of wrench used on the diesels.

Thank you,
 
I did a photo inventory recently of all my tools that I carry on the boat, as its easier than trying to describe each item. They are in my album but I'll try to attach the pictures, or links.
I forgot to do my electrical toolkit which consists of: Fluke clamp-on AC/DC true RMS meter, heat shrinkable marine crimp terminals and butt splices, crimper/stripper, torch, heat shrink tubing, zip ties, spare fuses (including ANL), electrical tape, liquid electrical tape, Misc wire pieces in various gauges, cutter, needle-nose pliers and other misc small tools.
 
Andrew Custis":2rge2pgs said:
Hello,

I think the recommend tool kit is a good one for every boat short of a packing gland type of wrench used on the diesels.

Thank you,
Click to expand...

These adjustable hex wrenches, made by RIDGID, along with a pair of cheater pipes, were the only thing able to break loose my packing gland nut. I now carry them on the boat permanently.

 
Pretty much agree with Andrew.
Multimeter is clamp on AC-DC, True RMS.
See no need for jump box with 3 battery systems. Can parallel engine and house with switch, if both down start generator from thruster battery and charge all. Excellent redundant design.
 
Packing glands.
I thought you needed big strong wrenches, and could not get one to budge.
I had a yard mechanic help, he asked for a hammer and gave the nuts a couple of light taps and adjusted by hand!
Seems they stick with corrosion and taps break free.
 
Also throw in a pair of right angle needle nose pliers. great for working on impellers.

Stuart
 
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