Onboard Tool Storage

grouch0jr · January 21

My boat came with a West Marine Tool Kit, and then my other tools i through into some bag I just happened to have lying around. I don't like the tool kit from West Marine, I find the rotomolded case bulky, and most of the tools in the kit are junkier versions of another tool I already have.

I'm thinking about finding some sort of water poof tool bags. Maybe one for all the wrench, sockets, etc and then another one for the meter, wire crimpers, etc.

How do you guys store your tools onboard?

mbnarney · January 21

I have the same kit. I find myself constantly taking more with me to the boat. I have a bag for nuts and bolts, another for electrical tools. Another for the various splicing and electrical connections. Still it seems like i leave something I need behind.

Rich_ · January 22

I have more tools that travel with me than probably most, but it has saved me or someone else at one time or another. I have one drawer full of tools, random screws, fuses, electrical connectors, switches and other oddities. Between the engines is a full set of open end wrenches from 1/4 through 1-1/8 as well as a sae/metric socket set. Another bag of wax, DVM, full set of belts, some lengths of hose, extra bilge pump, spare raw water pump, and enough fluids for one engine and genset. If I am going on a long trip, dealt impact and drill bag usually gets added to the bilge.
Even had a length of 1 gauge wire onboard at one time that saved a friend when his starter wire was shot.

Hope not to use 95% of the stuff, but invaluable when at a small tucked away place and could use it.

aero3113 · January 22

@Rich_ same with me.
I would rather have a tool and not need it than not have it and want it out on the water. I have a plastic tool box in the engine compartment with everything needed including spare belts, fuses, clamps, on and on….. There’s also a plastic tub that has all fluids, spare impellers, distributor caps, IAC valves, fuel filters, spark plugs. I also have a small plastic bin for the generator, spare impellers, couplers, fuses, spark plugs, switches, o rings. I have a tool bag I keep in the cabin with everything needed also.

Dream_Inn · January 22

I’m with you guys. I have many spare parts. Always end up using something thru the summer. And I have a spare set of tools that stay on the boat year round

Cableguy Greg · January 23

I always had a soft sided tool bag that I kept under one of the V-berth seats. I also had a bunch of spare parts on the boat. When I sold her, I kept the tools with the intention of putting them in the land yacht, but I haven't found a bag or bin that I like enough to have in one of the few storage compartments. One thing I have learned, boats have very little storage and travel trailers also have very little storage.

rasbury · January 24

For sure @Gregg on the storage space. We have a 270 which i have one good socket set and some wrenches...fuses and such rattle around the storage over the cabinets. I did not realize on the upper deck, the back setback rest adjacent to the helm popped off leaving a huge storage area. I quickly filled that with fluids and cleaning supplies. The land yachts/travel trailer & fifth wheels have the same issue- all the luxuries we enjoy which require devices have to go somewhere. My admiral keeps saying we should do the land thing...no maientance on an RV right? While they may share a lot of components, our boats are sure built better. We were on 95 last year and saw one getting pulled out of the woods. There was nothing left of it...down to the frame rails. I would never put my family in one.

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