Must Have Tool Kit.
It never ceases to amaze me, the number of times I've been called out, just because the boat owner didn't have screwdriver and a pair of pliars.
Learning a few DIY skills when cruising the canals is essential, it can make the difference between comfortable cruising, and waiting for hours for an engineer to come out, and can save you a shed full of money.
Learning a few DIY skills when cruising the canals is essential, it can make the difference between comfortable cruising, and waiting for hours for an engineer to come out, and can save you a shed full of money.
Basic tool kit.
The following tools can easily fit into a small toolbox.
Odds and Sods
The following odds and sods are the consumables that will get you out of trouble in an emergency.
Finally there's the nice to have kit.
The following tools can easily fit into a small toolbox.
- Electrical screwdriver
- Battery tester
- Screwdriver set both Flat head and Phillips screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Wire cutters
- Cable strippers
- Allen keys
- Stanley knife
- Socket set
- Adjustable Spanner
- Mole grips
- Hammer
- File
- Tape Measure
- Hack saw
- Wood saw
- Cordless drill and wood/metal bits
- Head strap LED torch
- Sea magnet – a mega strong magnet to retrieve items lost over board
- Hand Axe (essential if you have a solid fuel stove)
Odds and Sods
The following odds and sods are the consumables that will get you out of trouble in an emergency.
- Electrical insulation tape
- Jubilee clips
- Cable ties
- Spare fuses
- PTFE tape
- Latex/Rubber gloves
- Gaffer tape
- Puppy pads! Yes really, they are ultra-absorbent and cheap
Finally there's the nice to have kit.
- Folding fishing net for retrieval of items that do or do not float.
- Jump leads.
- Multimeter (great for testing electrical circuits, fuses, glowplugs etc
- Petrol can.
- Stove ropes, glue and heat resistant silicone, these are for quick fixes which can literally be a life saver!
- Boat to Shoreline electrical extension
- Hose adaptors and fittings, never underestimate how useful a large selection of adaptors will be as many water points have different fittings. The connectors can easily be forgotten and left at the water point, so duplicates are also essential.
- Foldaway trolley – whether it’s for carrying coal, full cassette toilets or the weekly food shop these are handy to have on-board and folded up in your car!
- Disposable puppy pads! Yes really, they are ultra-absorbent and reasonable cheap but can really help to mop up the last remains of any spillages.
