Hi all,
Looking for a little input. My folks are getting a new boat and it is being delivered tomorrow (the boat is a Seaswirl Striper 2101 w/ a 150 yami). The boat is coming with a coast guard kit (life jackets, flare, horns, anchor, etc...). My question is, what are the essentials you keep in your tool box in case of breakdown or any other mishaps. Thanks - James

Sea Tow !!!!!!!!!

The new outboards are so complex, they are impossible to
repair on land, never mind at sea....

But for other stuff I just throw a bag together with the essentials, screwdrivers pliers, adjustables, tape. I always have some bungee cords on board too.

Get a good First aid kit.

Good Luck,
V.

Thanks Van
I pretty much have a bag of stuff that I threw together for my snowmobiles. I figure I can just throw that bag in the stuff for the boat. The boat comes with one year of Genmar FirstMate I believe it is called, but will look to see if this will cover us for this year, then look to Sea Tow for next. If not will look into Sea Tow. Better to have double coverage than no coverage. Thanks

Don't forget a roll of duct tape:D

Multi function items:
5 gallon bucket, the uses are endless.
tuna buoy
lots of line
wire ties
WD-40
Be safe and good luck.

Thanks all. Fishsmith, what is the function of the Tuna Buoy?

Second on the duct tape and a roll of electrical tape can come in mighty handy at times and a box of #64 rubber bands. Inumerable uses on a fishing boat.

Tuna Buoy (the big orange balls) - it's a fender, its a lift for a stuck or heavy anchor(do search on Norwegian lift), it's a marker, I'm sure there are more uses.
Oh yeah, get a chart of the waters you'll be boating in and try to familiarize yourself with the area, before you get there.
Good luck.

Lots of places sell boat tool kits. This way I leave one dedicated to the boat.

Like was said earlier, not that you can fix much.

Fuses? extra set of plugs? spare prop if you are in shallow water a lot!

If you are going in the Ocean get a VHF. when all else fails call for help! Cell phone only works so far out!

get some boat tow insurance, it's cheap! Make sure your auto insurance covers towed vehicles if you are trailering the boat.

Spare tire for the boat trailer?

If you are fishing, Get a first aid Kit! If you are like me, I catch my self a lot. Not to mention the slip of the knife. Good to be prepared.

Hope that helps.

Once again thanks for the info. The Boat will be in a slip at Greenwich Bay Marina and will be primarily in Narragansett Bay for a while until we really get the hang of things, then maybe we'll venture out front a bit. My wife and I are taking the Safe Boating Course on Saturday so that will provide a lot of good info along with the info I have picked up from this site, I don't want to be classified as another idiot boater. I want to do it right, safe, have fun, and hopefully catch some nice fish.
Thanks - Tight Lines
James

Good luck,

I can say I got my boat Hydrasport 212 WA last fall.

I did the same thing. I got everything anyone recomended.

We also took the boater safety course (Mandatory in NH based on your birth date) My wife and I I beat her by 2 points, good thing I would never have lived that down.

Good info even if you are visiting the state of NH you must have it!

:D

All good suggestions so far.

My input.

As stated charts. Not just the electronic plotter. PAPER charts, a must have.

Go to Ocean State job lot and get a cheap socket and combo open end box set. CHEAP...The nice Craftsmen and Husky stuff rusts/sind just as fast.

2 OR 3 NERF FOOTBALLS. NOT ONLY FUN ON THE BEACH BUT IF YOU PUNCTURE THE HULL AFTER FISHING IN THE ROCKS YOU CAN CUT TO SIZE TO STOP MOST OF THE WATER INGRESS.

Jon

Originally posted by beamie
As stated charts. Not just the electronic plotter. PAPER charts, a must have.

Yes, paper charts are good to have however, no good in fog. and nav by compass takes some real talent. So,,,,
A handheld GPS also provides some peace of mind and is a great compliment to the main chartplotter. I updated my old handheld to a plotting handheld this year. Put in several important waypoints and keep batteries in it.
Can't be safe enough...

Just think about it, it is always better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

If you have time I would choose my tools carefully so that I have the right tools for the types of fasteners etc I'm likely to need to get into. For instance having the right spark plug socket is key. Also, are most of the fasters metric or standard? Space is limited so I would choose wisely onj what I would carry.

I have a checklist that I run through every time I load up to go out. here are some of the items on the list:

Ditch Bag
hand held GPS
hand help VHF
flare gun
flares
water
fire extinguisher
first aid kit
life preservers
charts
spare rope
buckets
food cooler
paper towels
binoculars
flashlight
pocket knife
gloves
rain gear
camera
cell phone
duct tape
anchor
mini WD 40
credit cards
boat key
money
boat registration
trailer registration
fishing license/permits
2 cycle oil
tool kit
rags
funnel

This list gets longer for overnight trips.

Good luck!

Fish On I think you forgot the Kitchen sink!

:D


Good list, and I agree you can never have too much stuff!

It's nice on a boat with a cabin that you can leave lots of it in there inbetween trips.

Better to have it and not use than need it and not have it!
I love that line!

Guys, thanks for all the great information. Got the boat in yesterday and got the run through from the dealer. Took it out on the bay for a bit to get the feel of things. The dealership provided some of the items listed in the posts, but there is still a few things we need to get before we head back out again. After a trip to the supply store to get the missing items, the break in will being. Thanks for the input -James