What do you keep on board for emergency repair?

[DeepCMark58A]

I keep 4 spark plugs, a spare prop, a lens and bulbs for the trailer tail lights, tools to change out as well. Oh yeah and a canoe paddle. same thing as in my old tin boats.

 

[dingbat]

Spare prop with hardware, Racor filter assembly with bottom, an assortment of fuses, spare bulb for the all-round light and a gallon of 2 stroke oil.

Keep a spare hub and a number of EZ lube bearing caps in the truck to service the trailer.

 

[Chris1956]

Get towing insurance and keep a cell phone or VHF radio handy.

If you have anything longer than a 16 foot runabout, a canoe paddle will be just about useless. I suppose you could wave it at someone to come tow you...

Try to paddle an 18 footer sometime, if you don't believe me. A boat pole pushing the bottom is much more effective, but is still very limited if there is any wind or current.

I keep a tool set, water separator, 2 cycle oil, a rag and some various kinds of tape, and a fuse for the motor starting circuit.

I also know how to hot wire the motor if I break or lose the key.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Get towing insurance and keep a cell phone or VHF radio handy.

If you have anything longer than a 16 foot runabout, a canoe paddle will be just about useless. I suppose you could wave it at someone to come tow you...

Try to paddle an 18 footer sometime, if you don't believe me. A boat pole pushing the bottom is much more effective, but is still very limited if there is any wind or current.

I keep a tool set, water separator, 2 cycle oil, a rag and some various kinds of tape, and a fuse for the motor starting circuit.

I also know how to hot wire the motor if I break or lose the key.

Unless you are on Lake Superior or on the Mississippi in Minnesota nobody is monitoring a VHF radio, My boat is 16' so with the trolling motor and paddle I will get back to shore.

 

[Scott Danforth]

spare props, some fuses and spare ignition module, minimal tools..... if that doesnt fix it

VHF radio, Cell Phone boat US towing insurance.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Yeah no boat tow services in Minnesota. at least not on most of the 10,000 lakes.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Spare prop and tools to change it, minimalistic tool kit, extra oil & other fluids, jumper cables. And duct tape, of course!

 

[H20Rat]

Depends on what your skills are. For my neck of the woods, a radio is useless, can't really use it as a prop so might as well toss it overboard. I might be able to light the paperwork of a tow boat subscription to keep warm if i need to, no use other than that.

Prop, basic tool set including some sockets/wrenches. Zip ties, fuses, a spool of light gauge wire, jumper cable, fluids. First aid kit.

 

[Cortes100]

I guess if you're out on the great lakes or ocean, a guy might carry extra gear. For me it's all small lakes, max 10 miles long. All I have is a small kit (actually meant to throw into trunk of car) with basic wrench, multi-tool, and booster cables. Have given boosts to several people. Worst case scenario for me, I paddle to shore, no big deal.
Darn, that reminds me, last season I lent the whole kit to a guy at the dock having problems. Loaded up my boat and drove away. :facepalm: I need another kit.

 

[robert graham]

All of these already mentioned....plus, always do a float plan...tell someone who is preferably a responsible friend I where you're going and when you plan to return....

 

[Grub54891]

Besides a tool kit, flares, I also kept the points breaker plate in a ziplock bag in case the electronic ign goes south. I know the points will get me home.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I also have a fire extinguisher. In Minnesota a float plan is telling the guys at work that you are going fishing, but you lie about what lake you are actually going to fish.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Funny to see all of the comparisons of fresh water lakes versus the ocean. My thoughts were the same when I read the OP. My canoe has a small roll of duct tape. End of list. My 12' Starcraft has a few small tools, spare sheer pins, spare spark plugs, and a set of oars. It doesn't leave sight of my dock though. My bigger boat for fresh water lakes has everything mentioned by others. However, I also have a tow strap which has been used for both my boat and to help others. I also carry a pump-style air horn. The boat horns are generally a joke. A compressed air horn is useless in cold weather or if it's sat so long that it's lost its charge. The type that you pump never fails and can be used in a snow storm. If you are really in trouble on a fresh water lake, that will draw attention.

Flares are useless in northern Minnesota, because they look too much like fireworks. They are much more valuable in salt water.

 

[Mischief Managed]

My boat was rigged for long-term stays in the Bahamas by the PO and as such came well-equipped with spares. Spare inventory: two props, alternator, impellers, belts, a dozen fuel filters, vacuflush rebuild parts, fuses, light bulbs, hatch gasket, porthole gasket, 3 pieces of port hole glass, many pounds of plumbing fittings and hose, dozens of hose clamps, and a vast collection of stainless steel hardware. I know there's more, but can't think of anything else right now. I also carry factory service manuals for the main engines and genset, and a ridiculous collection of tools carefully sorted in 7 heavy duty tool bags. I also have Nigel Calder's book on board as well. I love to be self-sufficient.

 

[JimS123]

A cell phone, a laminated sheet with phone numbers for the USCG, Sheriff and SeaTow.
An emergency hand pump and a bucket (required for USCGA certification)
A fire extinguisher and flares (required by law anyway)
A tool kit (just because I have had one for 50 years)
And most important........

A Kicker motor with a full spare fuel tank.

Oh, and an extra six pack because using the kicker at 6 mph will take much longer to get me home.

 

[82rude]

JimS123 ,I like your thinking.If I go to camp a cell phone is useless as well as tow ins.If im on the st. marys river theres no less then 10 govt agencies bombing around,both canuck and yankee!Lake Superior at least where I boat has spotty cell service,but also is patrolled by 2 coast guard choppers ,a us army chopper and sometimes a canuck c130.Being a border city theres lots of help flowing bothways .If somebodys missing theres no shortage of aircraft and vessels doing their best to find the missing party.I will always stop and help though many weekend warriors could not be bothered.Aholes!

 

[dingbat]

An emergency hand pump and a bucket (required for USCGA certification)

What certification?

I’m USCG inspected every year. Never been flagged.

 

[JimS123]

What certification?

I’m USCG inspected every year. Never been flagged.

Yes, sorry, I was thinking about my old woodie. If you have an operational bilge pump, you don't need the bucket. But to pass the courtesy inspection you need some way to bail.

 

[dingbat]

Yes, sorry, I was thinking about my old woodie. If you have an operational bilge pump, you don't need the bucket. But to pass the courtesy inspection you need some way to bail.

A means to bail was a State requirement (for us) many moons ago. Have not seen mention of it since State consolidated regulations with the feds

 

[racerone]

On a small outboard the engine cover / cowling is my bailing device.