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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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What toolbox do you use on board?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/06/2012 : 22:34:05

I bought a Stanley plastic toolbox a few years back to hold SL's tools. It's slowly getting destroyed as it's really just a piece of crap. One of the little tool parts thingies on the top has snapped off and my Gorilla tape repair isn't holding, the right side latch has been deformed somehow so it's a pain to close, and I've packed it full of tools to the point where I pretty much have little room left. I'm looking to replace it. I saw a steel Kobalt three drawer toolbox at Lowe's that looked like it'd still fit behind the ladder. What do you guys use on your boats?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 02:06:14

A cloth grocery bag in the hanging closet oppositte the head.

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 07:00:52

Hard plastic toolbox, just a bunch of tools overflowing from the big box home.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5373 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 07:53:50

I have a plastic case, general home toolbox with a pliers, hammer, six way screwdriver, nutdriver, a few inch and metric box wrenches, ratchet handle and inch and metric sockets, wirecutter and needlenose, tiny watch screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, Allen wrenches, several screwdriver bits and a tack hammer. It's a formfit case with pin hinges and snap closure. Bought one for the car and one for the boat. I also have a similar box of drill bits, screwdriver bits, hex head bits, torx bits and other stuff for a 1/4" screwdriver/nutdriver handle.

I have a 12x16x4 plastic box with another set of assorted fixed screwdrivers, a small and large vicegrips, a crank-handle drill, a marlinespike and rigging knife combo, a big pair of channel-lock pliers, a 10" pipewrench, a multi-tool, wirecutter with wire stripping jaws, wire crimper and box cutter knife. I keep a roll of electronic solder available.

The only tools I don't carry are an extensive socket set from 5mm to 18mm or 1/4" to 7/8", or a full set of box and open end wrenches. With everything else I have, I've never needed them in a pinch. If I do need them for a special project, I'll bring them from home, do the work, then bring them back home.

I'm not one of these super organized people, but over time have happened upon good deals or good enough tools and toolsets, that have enough range and redundancy that I've been fine in scrapes and emergencies out on the water. Oh and nothing beats duct tape, electrical tape, paint on tape, gorilla glue, crazy glue, rubber cement, a good assortment of SS nuts, bolts, screws, cotter pins, ring clips and wire zip ties.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 12:49:49

Rather than a tool box, I use a tool bag. It's relatively soft so it won't mar/chip anything and is compact enough to fit just about anywhere. Unlike a plastic or steel toolbox, you can drop a tool bag or toss it around and it's not going to get damaged.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 14:38:45

I carry a fairly good tool kit on board. My main box is a red plastic water proof box that fits really nicely to port of the cabin steps. Next I have a harbor freight tool bag that zips up, that sits in the port locker.

I keep 4 tupperware type boxes for bits and bobs, they are actually used nail cartons, a bit more robust than tupperware.

#1 contains stainless stuff (shackles, nuts, screws, washers, bolts, etc.)
#2 contains the spare lifejacket charging kits.
#3 contains dinghy repair kit materials.
#4 contains electrical 'bits', heatshrink, crimp connectors, etc.

Paul

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 15:52:54

I used an OD green plastic waterproof ammo box. Keeps tools dry and relatively rust-free.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 18:00:51

Two boxes: 1. 3 drawer tackle box with selected tools and a few repair materials in the top, nuts, bolts, screws, wire splices and end fittings, and bits and pieces organized in the drawers
2. waterproof, heavy plastic toolbox with bigger tools

and a self-contained case of sockets, drivers, bits and a stubby, reversible 1/4 & 3/8 rachet and stubby adjustable wrench.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 18:45:06

My first year on the boat (2010) I had a little 12" nylon tool bag from Harbor Freight:

<center>[url="http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-tool-bag-38168.html"]

[/url]</center>

But as more and more tools made their one-way trip to the boat, the little bag overflowed and eventually shredded from heavier use than it was designed for. So I bit the bullet and got a very heavy duty 16" bag with tool wal from Home Depot. It has no hard corners to chip or scratch the boat, and real nice rubber feet that won't slide around:

<center>[url="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202018004/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=tool+bag&storeId=10051#.UHIuOlFEZr8"]

[/url]</center>

As a result, I now have a full set of tools on the boat. And as things have gotten really whipped into shape the past year, I have used them much less than before. But I consider emergency repair capability such a critical safety issue that I will continue to keep this full set of tools on the boat, and have replaced a lot of them with new (and inevitably lower quality) tools at home.

For purchase info, click on the pics above.

Edited by - TakeFive on 10/07/2012 18:48:09

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 20:35:28

West Marine used to sell an oiled canvas tool pocket kit for corrosive atmospheres. I wish I picked one up when I was an associate years ago. Now they just sell plastic corrosion control bags.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3465 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 20:53:57

Like Rick indicates above in the photo, I also use the Husky toolbag for tools. If I am working on a project and have the need for various SS fasteners (wood or machine screws, nuts, washers, electrical fasteners, etc) then I also bring a plastic rack that has a handle for carrying and holds four ~1' wide plastic cases for storing the fasteners.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2012 : 09:22:45

Went to Northern Tool and bought a small plastic tool box that fits perfectly on that shelf below the V-berth. Cost like $8 or so. Then loaded it with Northern Tool branded tools, so I don't give a crap if a few fell in the water. I think I've dropped 1 or 2 so far and I don't care.
My tools at home are all Craftsman, and I'd definitely care if I dropped those.
I don't think I spent over $30 or so on the whole toolbox and tools. They were rediculously cheap and do the job.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2012 : 11:19:55

Tool bag that sits in a compartment I made under the bottom step

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2012 : 17:19:03

Two of these (tall version) fit perfectly under the stern dinette bench on our C-25:
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/mtm-case-gard-sportsmen-s-plus-utility-dry-boxes

They have a rubber seal that keeps them somewhat sealed.

Edited by - on

hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 03:39:02

I use a small sealed plastic box that fits perfect behind the stairs. There is a tray in the top and in the lid are small compartments for items such as sail slides, pins, cotter rings etc. Tools are simple. If I had to change an engine belt or impeller I probably could not. I have the spare items stored but not sure I have the tools to make the change. Guess I need to check that out. I do have the wrenches necessary to adjust the stuffing box.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 03:45:16

Slightly off topic. But this weekend a friend called me because the right hand wheel came off the boat trailer he was towing. I helped by getting a replacement wheel hub. However, when I got to the site, I saw that he had a small but substantial axle stand to secure the trailer after raising it with a jack. I don't have an axle stand! So I'm going to get one for my tool kit. (in the truck box).

Paul

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 04:44:40

The only tools I usually needed to carry on the C25 were an adjustable open end wrench, a flat and phillips screwdriver, vise grip, needle nosed pliers, and a set of allen wrenches. I also carried an ice pick, to adjust turnbuckle barrels. Those could be stowed in a drawer. If the job was more complicated than that, I brought extra tools from home.

When trailering, I always carried a hydraulic jack for the trailer in the bed of the truck, and a breaker bar and assortment of sockets to fit the lug nuts and trailer bolts that I occasionally needed to loosen.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 10/09/2012 04:46:11

Jack Schafer
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 07:00:22

Drawer next to sink

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 07:33:01

Towing adds a compact hydraulic jack, 2 jackstands, lug wrench, breaker bar, wheel chocks, and gloves to the car kit.

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CarbonSink62
Navigator

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USA
208 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 07:57:09

I'm in the middle (I hope) of my rebuild, so I'm still using my tools all the time.

I'm quickly destroying my son's old plastic 10x16 tool box and will be moving to a soft bag like TakeFive is using.

I keep the box in the V-berth, port side, against the bulkhead. It hasn't worked itself loose yet.

When (if) I'm done, I'll keep a small set of tools in one of the galley drawers and store the bag out of the way. I'll always have a full set onboard (including a multi-meter and spare 9V battery for it).

Edited by - on

Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 08:20:25

I found a small soft sided canvas Craftsman 12" tool bag at ACE Hardware for tools, and a larger one for everything else you want to carry back in forth to the boat. They are on sale at Sears for $12.74 for the pair right now. Around Christmas they are on sale, for about $9 for the pair. (Around Christmas and Fathers Day is the best time for $5 and $10 sales for all of the hand tools you may want in your kit.)

As mentioned above I find that the soft sided ones are easier on the boat, and don't slide around so they are harder to donate to Neptune. I keep it behind the head or in one of the lazarette compartments.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-13-in-and-18-in-bag-combo/p-00937537000P

Doug

Edited by - Arlington on 10/09/2012 08:21:22

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 12:08:56

Our soft sided Sears bag works just great. I keep our electrical stuff in there with a complete set of my backup ratchet socket set and assorted screwdrivers. I use this when I'm visiting other boats. Our "real" tool box is in our nav station, with kitchen drawer separators (I know, bigger boat needs more tools).

I have more tools on the boat than I do at home. I can't imagine NOT having anything and everything I would need ON the boat ON the boat.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 12:55:23

Onboard tools in the drawer under the port aft sink. Onboard supplies ( hardware ) under the forward starbrd sink in ziplock bags.

Backpack for carry on tools and hardware. Backpack for carry on drills and bits. Tool belt. I clip the tool belt on the ladder and it hangs on the strbrd side.

I'd love to find another place for the onboard tools but the drawer is just so convenient and quick.

Edited by - redeye on 10/09/2012 12:56:03

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 13:34:12

I was originally going to replace it with the Kobalt, but after this thread & consideration, I'm probably going to start looking for a bucket mouth styled tool bag. One of the things I've never liked about my current one is that it's too easy to slide. This is OK when it's trapped by the ladder & next to the med kit which effectively removes any room for it to roam, but when it's sitting on fiberglass and unconstrained, it's a bit skittish.

Like Stu, I'm a believer in having all the tools I need, unfortunately that list keeps growing (EG: couldn't do my recent impeller change without a set of punches to separate the shift linkage). So I've added a set of punches. I actually have a 1/4" deep socket rail with both metric & SAE sockets that I still have at home because there's no room for it in the current toolbox. So I need something with a bit more room than I've currently got with some room for expansion. I've also got auxiliary boxes with bits & pieces in them for things like the O/B repair kit, extra spark plugs, emergency pull cord, etc., that I have absolutely no room for in the tool box.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5373 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 16:47:23

Just a note for slippery plastic boxes or hard platic containers sitting on fiberglass cabin tops, decks or tables. Get a roll of rug backing honeycomb (made of spongy foam) and cut it to fit the bottom of the case. Glue some onto the bottom and the backside with contact cement or rubber cement. This material will make the toolbox so sticky, you will be unable to slide it unless you lift it up. Stuff works great. I put some on my radio, coffee cup, plastic tool case, camp stove. No worries.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2012 : 17:43:52

Canvas tool bags with zippered openings. One large one for my wrenches, pliers, and large tools, all of my screwdrivers and some small special tools in a small black canvas bag that fits inside the large bag. I can carry all of my tools or either one.

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