What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

[jordy1380]

Hey everybody,
I'm new to the forum and I just recently bought a 1993 Lund Pro V with a 1988 Mercury XR4 150hp outboard along with a 2000 15hp Mercury Mariner. I ordered the SELOC repair manual this week just in case I need it for repairs and general maintenance, but I was curious what tools I should start to buy to service my outboards?? I'm new to the whole boating world and would like to work on my engine as much on my own as I can. What tools should I buy and are there any other books that I should buy or have on hand for general wiring and outboard maintenance?? Thanks!!

 

[JoLin]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Hi, jordy- welcome to iboats.

If you're a mechanical DIYer, you already have all or most of the hand tools you'll need for the mechanical stuff. You'll likely need to buy the pump and hose that fit into a bottle of lower unit lube, and make sure you have a socket to fit the prop nut. Others may have additional ideas, but as far as tools go, for the most part an engine is an engine.

Boats have their fair share of electrical issues, and boaters like to add toys. A DVOM and a repair guide or knowledge of 12V electrical systems is good to have. A good wire stripper/crimper is worth its weight. You'll buy 'marine grade' wire and connectors as you need them.

In addition to the Seloc manual, consider springing for the factory repair manual. They're more detailed. I've found it valuable to have both. The factory manual can sometimes be confusing for an untrained, non-tech who doesn't have the offical 'factory' tool and test instrument for every job. The Seloc can come in handy by providing the 'DIYer approach' to making that repair.

My .02

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Sounds like you want to know about shop tools rather than a tool kit on the boat, which gets asked and answered a lot here.

An impact screwdriver is a good thing to have for lower unit and PTT screws.

Brand name sockets so you don't strip heads--metric and standard.

 

[sutor623]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

An impact screwdriver is a good thing to have for lower unit and PTT screws.

And impact gun for the flywheel!

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Alright, so this is a marine motor, right? So you need to make absolutely sure all your tools are "Marine Rated". Don't just guess about this, all the truly "Marine Rated" tools have the official "NMMA Marine Rated" logo on them. So you can't just go down to Vato-Zone and get a cheap chrome-plated reforged pot-metal socket set, you have to go to a reputable "Marine Rated" retailer, and buy genuine "NMMA Marine Rated" MolyBiFluoroCarbomerized UltraStainless "Boat Sockets". They're a bargain at $25 to $50 per socket. No, Harbor Freight is not a "Marine Rated" retailer. If you can get them from the "Snap-on" guy, it's a set he won't even SHOW to auto-mechanics. Shoot, he won't even try to sell them to Aerospace guys. These are the creme-de-la-creme tools, and they know, if you're asking about "Marine Rated" tools, that you are an especially discriminating consumer. So lose that cheap Craftsman and Snap-on set. That stuff is junk, and unworthy to be used on your boat. Get the GOOD stuff. I know all the "big wheels" here have Genuine "NMMA Marine Rated" tools, and wouldn't think of wrenching on their boats with any other tools. Why once, a guy was going to help me on my boat, and lugged his $2,500 Craftsman set onto my boat. I just pushed them overboard, and told him not to insult me like that. This elitist rant is bought to you by a sense of unlimited sarcasm. Please do not take it seriously.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

ok I am a gear head so take that for what you will, I tend to take enough tools to repair a Nuclear Aircraft Carrier when my wife and I only plan on spending an evening on the water and the boat travels a grand total of 100' off the ramp...

In my Boat tool pouch I have a set of SAE and Metric sockets 3/8" drive standard depth, I have a Spark plug Socket and a few other sockets that are needed for specific tasks related to my boat and a couple socket extensions. I have a 15 in one screwdriver, DVOM, Wire Crimper and small selection terminals and short sections of wires in different gauges, Prop Wrench, three different channel Locks and crescent wrenches from small to large, 1/2"drive breaker bar, roll of duct tape(for misc things like mouthy kids), a medium sized funnel and a few other tools but that about sizes it up, this pouch is in my boat right now in storage and it never leaves. I also carry a spares, set of Props(I have a Bravo III), Impeller, enough oils to change the oil in the motor and a spare filter, fuel filter, gear drive oil for outdrive, power trim fluid, serpentine belt, post boating detailing wash down (Ducky's) and microfiber rags, window cleaner, and a couple interior cleaners and rags.

I know you probably didn't want the full deal but since its about that time I figured I would throw it out there and that way I can inventory everything next week when I go get the boat out so thanks for asking the question!!

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

In my Boat tool pouch I have a set of SAE and Metric sockets 3/8" drive standard depth, I have a Spark plug Socket and a few other sockets that are needed for specific tasks related to my boat and a couple socket extensions. I have a 15 in one screwdriver, DVOM, Wire Crimper and small selection terminals and short sections of wires in different gauges, Prop Wrench, three different channel Locks and crescent wrenches from small to large, 1/2"drive breaker bar, roll of duct tape(for misc things like mouthy kids), a medium sized funnel and a few other tools but that about sizes it up, this pouch is in my boat right now in storage and it never leaves. I also carry a spares, set of Props(I have a Bravo III), Impeller, enough oils to change the oil in the motor and a spare filter, fuel filter, gear drive oil for outdrive, power trim fluid, serpentine belt, post boating detailing wash down (Ducky's) and microfiber rags, window cleaner, and a couple interior cleaners and rags.

What? No SAE and Metric Allen and Torx wrenches?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Just keep buying tools 'til you have them all. Or until your Significant Other takes away your credit card.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Just keep buying tools 'til you have them all. Or until your Significant Other takes away your credit card.

That's one of the things I love about the Admiral: Tools have no budget at our house. She likes the big yellow boxes (DeWalt power tools).

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

What? No SAE and Metric Allen and Torx wrenches?

I thought Torx bits were already metric? Be right back Going to lowes for metric Torx wrenches......

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Be right back Going to lowes for metric Torx wrenches......

Make sure you get Marine Rated Torx Wrenches!!!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Make sure you get Marine Rated Torx Wrenches!!!

So much for Lowes!!

Honestly though, I stopped with the "High Quality" tools the moment my son decided to get into being a wrench and my tools started disappearing, now he is at Diesel Mechanics school, I see the day of reckoning on the horizon!!

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Honestly though, I stopped with the "High Quality" tools the moment my son decided to get into being a wrench and my tools started disappearing, now he is at Diesel Mechanics school, I see the day of reckoning on the horizon!!

Hah - now that my son is a homeowner, I can see him using my wood shop a lot more than he ever has!

 

[roscoe]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

If you have basic hand tools, you have most of what you need for general maintenance.

A large (wide) flat screwdriver with a square shaft you can put an open end wrench on, for removing the drain plugs in the lower unit without gouging them up.

Any wiring connections should have heat shrink tube over them.
Oxi-guard or die-electric grease on all connections, too.

The only time you will need special tools, is when you are tearing into the motor, and then you will want a torque wrench that measures inch pounds.

If you have a need to remove the flywheel, you will need a larger foot pounds wrench.

 

[fixnfly]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

A high quality tool will come with a "forever" guarantee. Buy whats within your budget at the time, and plan on buying better quality as you find out what you use the most. In an emergency my $5 craftsman screw driver works better than the $60 snap-on screwdriver sitting in the sales rep truck, that I cant afford. I do own both. I make my living using tools.

Snap-on makes a great fine tooth 1/4" ratchet and ratcheting screwdriver. Other wised overpriced. Its hard to find reps when your tools break unless they show up at your work.

As far as "marine grade tools", as well as any other high quality tool, they do you no good if they rust. Buy a pelican box to store them in. They are air tight and float, maybe an 1120 for on the boat. Your not going to overhaul your engine on the water keep it simple. 1/4" ratchet, screwdrivers, slip joint pliers, wrenches, and a knife. At home just keep them clean with light oil.

This is a good start. You will figure it out as you go.

 

[fixnfly]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Forgot about di-electric grease, wd-40, and "klein" makes a good wire stripper and a good wire crimper. Two different tools.

Dont bother buying a volt meter unless you know how to use it, if you do buy your first one, get a cheap $30 craftsman until you know how to use it. I use mine all the time and its a "fluke" but you will drop $300 easily.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

You guys, with all your million dollar tool sets have scared the guy off.
He just listed his boat on craigslist -- FOR SALE !!.

 

[jordy1380]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Well, I posted on here, but apparently it didn't go through last night as it's not on here. I don't think that I answered the random question or something....

Anyways, I do appreciate all you guys giving your input! You guys seem like a good bunch and extremely helpful! I was curious if you have a 'go to' website for marine equipment on the net?? If you can't tell me on the board, then just send me a PM so the mods dont have a hissy about it. I will need to get a compression checker and probably a spark checker for starters. The boat that I bought has been having issues since I bought it and I don't know if that's because the winter kinks need to be worked out or what?? Can a bunch of gunk really accumulate enough to keep it from working over the winter. My guess is that this guy had it out in sept, oct and it hasn't seen the water since then. I haven't been able to get it started yet so I think there may be something wrong with it. I looked at the fuel lines on the side of the engine and it looked like it may have some fuel intake issues, but that could be caused by gunky lines I guess. I'll post on the engine page about it if I don't get it to start this weekend, but any more places and types of tools?? I'll probably start to spend money and accumulate tools soon lol

 

[jordy1380]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

No more replies for the day?? You guys buy your tools from any place specifically?

 

[JoLin]

Re: What tools to buy for boat repair and maintenance?

Tools are tools, Jordy. Very few are 'marine specific.' Heck, if you're trying to assemble the basics, try Craigslist and yard sales. Good tools last forever and you can get them cheap there. Home Depot, Sears, Lowe's Pep Boys... anyplace that sells decent tools, cheap. Harbor Freight is a good source for 'one-time' and seldom used stuff you might need, as well as some of the basics. I've used their $10. heat gun constantly over the last 4 years and it's still going strong. If it broke tomorrow I'd buy the same one again. I don't need the $50. Craftsman version to assemble heat shrink terminals. Their digital infrared thermometer was a good buy, too. Bought on sale for $25. 3 years ago, works great.

Somebody metioned a $300. DVOM. I dunno- I bought mine on sale at Sears for $30. and it has every function I've ever needed to troubleshoot electrical issues on the boat.

My .02