"Where's ya tool?", Essential guide of what to carry on board.

I buy a lot of tools, both for a workshop and also for work in the field. Recently having had to equip several technicians and a workshop from scratch. I feel placed optimally to offer some advice.

This is an update of something I wrote a while back. I realized that not everyone is a "tooly", they just need some basic, quality tools for the odds and ends that crop up around the boat. So I have dialed back the scale and concentrated on the essentials.

When I first started my professional career, I had a small “walking box”, I was able to fix 80% of what I came across, as things have grown so has my toolbox, but recently I have pared down what I can carry around with me, the bigger the box the more tendency you have to fill it (with things you hardly ever use).

"Do the work yourself the tools are free"
"A bad workman always blames his tools"
"Always buy the best you can afford"

There may be some truth in those statements, things move on, hand tools although fundamentally the same purpose have changed their materials, more brands are available at more price points, so where do we start?

No one brand of tools makes the best suited for everything, it is better to mix and match, not everyone is the same size. Avoid buying a big box from a hardware store. Its better to buy quality than not, it will pay for itself.

Essentials

Screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters & strippers, Wire cutters and strippers, a short guide, crimping tool, craft knife, spanners and wrenches, various tapes (insulating & duct at minimum), lubricant, torch or lantern and lastly cable/zip ties.

That lot will fit into a small box, you can pare it down further, get a multi use tool, a crimper & stripper in one for example, Knipex are very good for this.

Useful

Hammer, screwdriver bits and holder, scraper(s), socket set, Ratcheting things up a notch. Sockets and ratchets, a quick guide, and Allen (hex) keys. The key to carrying tools on board is being realistic about what you can actually fix and how deeply you want to delve into the inner workings of your vessel whilst at sea. For some sailors crossing the Atlantic, they may well carry an extensive range of tools and spares and have the knowledge and skills to fix things, whereas others might not care a jot.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this post. Please feel free to follow me on social media.