What repair parts would you have on board??

[muskie hunter]

Lets hear from the experienced. I have a 1996 Wellcraft 26 se Excel. 7.4 mercruiser Bravo 2 outdrive. What repair or spare parts would you keep on board just in case?Which parts seem to give the most problems. Would you keep things like: Belts, plugs. waterpump,cylinoids, filters.coil, coil wire?
This should prove interesting!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

I'd think that it'll depend on Where you're going Boating,........
And,......
Just What's accessible to you when you're out there.........

Belts,..??.. Probably.....
Fuel Filters,..??... No Doubt.....
Sparkplugs,....??.. Why..?? You could limp in on less than 8 cylinders....
Etc. Etc.....

 

[thrasher]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

Don't forget a spare prop and hardware to mount it (nut, washers, etc).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

Rather than lug a bunch of extra parts along that takes up valuable space, keep the boat tuned up and do a thorough inspection AFTER each run and repair things that need repairing. Running any equipment until it breaks is the only reason one would drag along extra parts and it would very likely turn out you wouldn't have what you need anyway. As was mentioned, a prop certainly would be one item. A belt for any accessory that would prevent you from operating the engine without damage would be in order -- such as a belt driven water pump and the alternator drive belt. For offshore excursions I'd consider some materials to perform emergency hull repair should you spring a leak for whatever reason.

 

[F_R]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

I don't carry anything. Except a spare motor that runs. But that's only for when, and if, I have a train wreck with the main motor. Keep it properly maintained and you shouldn't be having to fix it on the water. I did fix the steering cable with the anchor rope one time. It was on my first date that I took my (now) wife boating. She was so impressed that she married me.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

An I/O is basically a marinized auto engine. What spare parts do you carry in your auto when you intend to take a long trip? If you are paranoid, you will change belts, hoses, and fluids before the trip but that's about it. Parts usually do not go bad just like that. So if you perform regular maintenance on the engine and outdrive, there is no need for anything other than a spare prop and associated mounting hardware ---because we all have radically customized a prop at least once in our boating lifetime.

By the way: When I was young and dumb and full of --- I rode a 15 foot with a 55 outboard from New York City up the Hudson into Canada and down to Montreal. 4 days up, 4 days back, no spare parts except for a prop. Turns out I did spin a hub and the spare prop came in handy. Those days it cost 5 bucks to re-hub a prop. I started with 3 but one sprung a leak so I carried only 2 six gallon gas tanks and when one went empty I started looking for a marina to refill. That little '69 Chrysler 55 ran like a champ and never let me down. I still have it but it is retired.

Now, I carry a set of plugs because my outboard tends to foul them and I carry a few small parts and a couple of tools. I also carry a spare water pump impeller--not because I intend to change it on the water-- But if I get stuck someplace where one is not readily available, I don't need to wait for one to arrive.

 

[Boatist]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

To start with I have nevered repaired my boat on the water and never expect to but I carry most parts that can stop my boat on the water and I could fix on the water.

However the parts will not help if you do not also carry the tool to install them and have the skills to do it.

Thing I carry is 2 of all the fuses, some will prevent the engine from starting and running.
I carry one Spark plug wire long enough to reach the plug with the longest wire. I carry a Solid coil wire not a carbon wire.
I carry Points and condenser, and a set of plugs.
I carry motor oil, trim tab oil, WD40 Oil, Silicon Spray, Silicon seal, and 2 cycle oil for the kicker.
I carry a spare plug and a tapered wooden plug that can plug a broken fitting.
I have a second alternator / water pump belt installed around the motor mount so it I break the one on the engine and I do not have to get the new belt around the motor mount.

I carry all the tools needed to do repairs. When I do my tune ups I only use tools on the boat. If I do not have the tool I need then I buy one and put in my tool Kit.

Everything Except the oils is in one small plastic kit stored under a seat.

Offshore the number one part is a working Kicker motor, Second is a Good VHF Radio.

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

All good suggestions. I just bought the boat and want to make sure I dont get stranded. I didnt know if their were a number of "hot" items I should be carrying until the boat has proven itself.

 

[dmcb]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

Just some observations.
It was said the area you boat makes a difference.
True.
If there are a lot of boats and help available, not much of a problem if you are dead in the water.
Boat in a remote area and that takes on a different look.
A boat isn't a car. Things happen to boats that don't happen to cars. Mostly from lack of use but things happen.
And you can't get out and walk or wait for the tow truck.
Having parts and tools, even if you can't use them, might still get you in. Boaters are helpful people and many do have the skills to use this stuff.
Personally because I boat far from home and in remote waters, I carry a lot of spare parts.
The weight of electrical parts, belts, pump impellers, and so on don't weigh as much as a 6 pack.
I once blew a head gasket on a 46' Chris, 300 miles from home. I had the gasket and was able to repair it while at anchor and go home.
Now who carries head gaskets? Well I did and I needed it.
If I don't know the history of my electrical parts, I often buy and install new ones and keep the old working parts for spares. Same with belts.
Doug

 

[jspringator]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

One inexpensive trick is to save old belts, hoses, points, condensor and distributer caps that are replaced for routine maintenance and use them as spares. Hey, they worked when you took them off! A spare prop is always a good idea.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: What repair parts would you have on board??

When I was young, bullet proof and never more than two miles form shore, I went over 900 miles down the river to the Gulf and back twice in a fourteen foot skiff and an old Scott Attwater with no tools other than a Crescent wrench to change spark plugs and a pair of pliers to pull fish hooks. Now that I am older I take along enough tools to keep the engine running. I ususally do not have a set of points (the younger generation needs to learn how the primitive means of ignition works as I have met many that have not heard of points) as a point file in the feeler guage set will get me home. A spare impeller is nice when I am more than rowing distance from a shore.

For me a set of watch guage gaskets, flax packing, and a spare quart of steam oil is appropriate to my main vessel. For y'all that are exclusive IC folk, that would translate to fuel filters, a spare quart of lubricants for the engine, tranny, and final drive no matter what configuration they take and maybe a spare guage line if you don't do the electric thing, spare fuses if you do.

Plugs for any through hull fittings is mandatory. A snapped off fitting is embarassing in the middle of deep water. They take up little room and are priceless when needed.

By carefull analysis the hand tools can be brought down to a few adjustable wrenches and a few sockets and drives, a combination screwdriver, and a couple of pliers. Put them in grease, wrapped up in wax paper in a small plastic box and you are good to go.

A few rags to wipe things off are good also. I love my old Carbon Tet extinguisher on my IC rigs as I know that it will take the moisture out of the electrical system when needed. There are other alternatives.

For the sailors out there, a spare main is priceless. The main can always get you home eventually!

For all of us, the pocket knife is indespensable. All tools should be able of having a lanyard attached as a tool in the drink is no tool at all. Socket wrenches are the most at risk, yet the drives can have a string tied to it with a wrist loop for a nominal cost!

Just some thoughts.