The Standard Tool Kit

Sailing is what we are all here for but boat preparation is extremely important too. If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. Here is what all boat owners should have in their tool box.

 

Basic Tools

• Tape Measure
• Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flat Head)
• Socket/Spanner Set
• Junior Hacksaw
• Stanley Knife
• Straight Lexan Scissors
• Drill and Drill Bits
• Rivet Gun and Stainless Rivets
• Mole grips
• Pliers (Standard and Needle Nosed)
• Sanding Blocks and Sand Paper
• File

General Items

• Electrical Tape
• Duct Tape
• Self-Amalgamating Tape
• Double-sided Tape
• Grease
• Sealant

Spare Ropes, Blocks & Shackles

• Various Ropes 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm.
• 10mm Block, 20mm Block, 30mm Block
• Straight Shackles
• Twisted Shackles
• Split Rings and Pins
• 4mm Elastic
• Tiller Universal Joint

Fiberglass Kit

• Fibreglass Tape
• Fibreglass Matt
• 105 Resin
• 205 Hardner
• Bruses
• Mixing Tubs
• Lollipop Sticks
• Syringe
• Protective Latex Gloves

 

Loos Rigging Wire Gauge The Loos Guage is an essential piece of kit and it wouldnt be possible to setup your boat without it. The  PT1M is suitable for 2.5 – 4mm wire rigging and gives a scale reading of rig tension. The scale reading can be converted to actual tension in kilograms by using the calibration table on the body of the gauge. Every Loos gauge is different so it isn’t a good idea to borrow somebody elses gauge as they can differ by up to 10%. Buy one of these and it will last forever. £80

 

Clamcleat CL262 Double Handed Power Grip

This is by far the best and easiest way of tightening the trampoline. The second edition of the Power grip cleat allows you to get two hands on the job, combine this with a foot on the back beam and youre not going to get any tighter. The V groove holds rope firmly and the rope can be easily removed from the cleat with a twisting technique. Max rope size is 6mm. £12.

 

PSP Mylar Sail Repair Tape – 50mm Mylar Sail Repair Tape is an essential one. It only takes one capsize and an unfortunate landing to put a hole through your main. Rarely used but always needed. Most rolls are 3m in length. This tape can also be used to pack out daggerboards and rudders to remove any play.£3.

 

PSP Spinnaker Repair Tape – 50mm The spinnaker repair tape is needed for the same reason as the mylar repair tape. Patch up any holes or small tears in the spinnaker to hold pressure and reduce further damage. Available in a range of colours to suit most spinnakers. Usually comes in rolls of 4.5m. £5

 

Selma Splicing Fids   Selma Splicing fids are the best when it comes to splicing doublebraids, 3 strand and hollowbraid ropes. They are made of polished stainless steel so buy one set of these and they should be good for life. You can buy them individually but the pack of 4 allows you to work on ropes 4 to 20mm. The pack also comes with a protective case and detailed instructions for basic splicing techniques. Remember to get your whipping twine too. £25 & £5.

 

Nimrod Micro-Jet T25 Butane Blow Torch The Nimrod Micro-Jet is a great tool that can be used for sealing the ends of ropes. What makes this burner great is that inside is refillable cigarette lighter. Forget carrying round butane cans to top up and just carry a spare lighter and simply clip it in and go. A full fill has 20 minutes of burn time.  It also has a safety lock to  stop accidental pocket burning scenarios. £14

 

Shackle Key

Its always a good idea to tighten up all of your shackles before you go sailing. Even if you do them up finger tight they often aren’t easily undone after a days sailing. A shackle key means you can do them up and more importantly get them undone easily. They can be had for as little as £2.50 so no excuses here.

 

 

The Tool Box Whether its a tool bag or a tool box you’re going for it needs to be a decent size. 300mm long isnt going to be big enough. A 600mm box is more like it and small compartments are good for storing those rivets and shackles.