Tools recos for R31

T

Tugstreaming

New member
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Jun 10, 2021
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4
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Vessel Name
Loon Ranger
Our 2022 R31CB was just completed and will be heading to us (Georgian Bay, Lake Huron) in a few weeks. I suspect this topic has been covered before, and hopefully someone can direct me to a previous post on recommended tools and spare parts we should procure and store aboard. I tried posting this last night but can't seem to find my post. If it did get posted, my apologies for asking again! Thanks so much. Steven and Lorna
 
Bumping post delayed in moderation queue.
 
I second the RT Spring Maintenance webinar you can find on youtube. THere's a link to the PPT doc in the description on the YT video as well. I built my entire toolbag off that video, it was so helpful.
 
I can provide a list of the tools we bought for our R31, if helpful. A good toolbag is also good and I've got a reco there too. The RT video is general and we made some mods for our R31.

One thing I learned yesterday I need but did not buy is the special low-profile allen wrench for removing the motor unit of a Sidepower thruster...
 
For both our R27 and R31, the factory provided a low profile hex wrench with the bit needed for the thruster (6mm hex I think). The wrench supplied by the factory is stainless steel, made by Chapman tools. It's available through Amazon (isn't everything?): https://www.amazon.com/Chapman-MFG-...FVYLJ8W/ref=pd_lpo_3?pd_rd_i=B00FVYLJ8W&psc=1. Make sure to use Chapman bits. Others may work if they have the small, spring-loaded ball in the side to hold the bit in place. Smooth bits that rely on a magnetic holder will slide right out.

The Chapman (or something similar) is indispensable for replacing the sheer pin on the thrusters, and a handy tool in general (with a good selection of Philips, slot, square drive, Torx bits, etc). The only caveat is that they are small and hide well.

Gini
 
I bought a second Chapman hex wrench to make this process much easier and avoid a potential trap.

On the R27 Classic removing the bolts on the stern thruster, the most difficult step is just getting the hex wrench into the space and bit into the cap bolt. It is a very very very tight space (this is why that particular wrench is provided with the boat) and as the bolt is backed out the wrench will hit the thruster housing before long before the bolt can be removed. This means you have to do just a couple turns on the bolt and then move to the other and do this back and forth until the thruster motor is loose enough to back the bolts all the way out. If not very careful with how far each bolt is backed out the wrench can get trapped. Since the wrench is a ratchet at this point you are stuck because the bolt cannot be driven back in to get the wrench free. If this happens you will need another wrench to loosen the bolt on the other side (loosening the motor some) to get the trapped wrench out.

Using two of these wrenches simultaneously on each side allows for much quicker removal as they don’t have to be transferred from one side to the other. Also the second wrench is there to loosen things up if you get trapped. Not sure on how much all this applies to the other boat models.

Curt
 
Looking at the two side by side I'm pretty sure Chapman manufactures for Sidepower.

It's a 6MM bit and you have to use the Chapman bits, so what you actually want is this kit (I can't find just the 6mm Chapman bit separately).

https://www.amazon.com/Chapman-MFG-2307 ... 236&sr=8-2

That's the same cost as the Sidepower tool, but with Sidepower you have to pay shipping which makes the one on Amazon a bit cheaper. It'll also arrive faster.
 
Red Raven":1ixn6dt9 said:
I bought a second Chapman hex wrench to make this process much easier and avoid a potential trap.

On the R27 Classic removing the bolts on the stern thruster, the most difficult step is just getting the hex wrench into the space and bit into the cap bolt. It is a very very very tight space (this is why that particular wrench is provided with the boat) and as the bolt is backed out the wrench will hit the thruster housing before long before the bolt can be removed. This means you have to do just a couple turns on the bolt and then move to the other and do this back and forth until the thruster motor is loose enough to back the bolts all the way out. If not very careful with how far each bolt is backed out the wrench can get trapped. Since the wrench is a ratchet at this point you are stuck because the bolt cannot be driven back in to get the wrench free. If this happens you will need another wrench to loosen the bolt on the other side (loosening the motor some) to get the trapped wrench out.

Using two of these wrenches simultaneously on each side allows for much quicker removal as they don’t have to be transferred from one side to the other. Also the second wrench is there to loosen things up if you get trapped. Not sure on how much all this applies to the other boat models.

Curt
Click to expand...
 
Red Raven":3vz0am2q said:
I bought a second Chapman hex wrench to make this process much easier and avoid a potential trap.

On the R27 Classic removing the bolts on the stern thruster, the most difficult step is just getting the hex wrench into the space and bit into the cap bolt. It is a very very very tight space (this is why that particular wrench is provided with the boat) and as the bolt is backed out the wrench will hit the thruster housing before long before the bolt can be removed. This means you have to do just a couple turns on the bolt and then move to the other and do this back and forth until the thruster motor is loose enough to back the bolts all the way out. If not very careful with how far each bolt is backed out the wrench can get trapped. Since the wrench is a ratchet at this point you are stuck because the bolt cannot be driven back in to get the wrench free. If this happens you will need another wrench to loosen the bolt on the other side (loosening the motor some) to get the trapped wrench out.

Using two of these wrenches simultaneously on each side allows for much quicker removal as they don’t have to be transferred from one side to the other. Also the second wrench is there to loosen things up if you get trapped. Not sure on how much all this applies to the other boat models.

Curt
Click to expand...

This qualifies as a "most excellent" tip!

Thank you!
 
I found this thread so valuable that I had to go to the Chapman website ( I have a strong preference to buy American made tools directly from the manufacturer even if I can get free shipping from some other source) and purchased their set #7331 which includes a good assortment of metric and SAE bits, all of which I know I will have multiple uses for, in addition to the thruster sheer pin replacements.
 
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