Boats Spares Tool kit
What you carry in the boats tool kit will be useful for many boat repairs, but you might want to add some more tools to the list.
Spare shackles
Shackles have been known to break and also useful for emergency repairs to the rig.
Spare ropes
You can never have too many ropes on board but always useful is a tow rope and spare mooring ropes.
Wire cutters
Mainly for sail boats if the rig should come down.
Sharp knife
Essential and have it ready for use.
Torches
Again essential and the rechargeable type can be a better option. Have close at hand for night sailing.
Glues and epoxy putty
For emergency repairs on wood and fibreglass.
Spare blocks
For sailboats where blocks may fail or where you want to experiment with new sheet leads.
Winch spares
For sailboats and the most important spare will be first winch handles and then what the manufacturer might recommend.
Snippet from the new app for iPhone & Android:
Dag Pike’s Boating Checklists
About the author:
Dag Pike began his career as a merchant captain, went on to test lifeboats, and took up fast boat navigation, winning a string of trophies for powerboat races around the world, including navigating Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Challenger on the record-breaking fastest Atlantic crossing by powerboat.
Essential boat engine checklist
Learn ColRegs: Traffic Separation Schemes
Repairing a leaking hull-to-deck joint
Boatyard Health and Safety
How to tackle osmosis
Rudders and steering systems – Part 3
In the third of our three blog articles on rudders and steering systems, we look at how to replace rudder bearings and repair a water-saturated core.
Understanding your mast and rigging
Boat Engine Failure – what to check
Essential Knots: Reef knot
Dag Pike’s Boat Survey
Marine engine electrical system
The typical basic electrical system associated with a marine engine includes a dedicated engine starting battery, a starter motor, a charger in the form of an alternator, a solenoid and some engine sensors and instruments.
Boat maintenance log
Hull inspection – the annual checks
Marine diesel exhaust checks
You should inspect the exhaust system for corrosion damage regularly, especially around the injection bend. If you have noticed the engine exhaust smoking a lot during the sailing season this can also indicate a number of potential problems.
Anchoring – getting it right is not always straightforward
Rudders and steering systems – Part 1
Rudders and steering systems. A rudder is one of the most critical parts of a boat. Rudder failure is a common occurrence on neglected or overworked boats and a very unpleasant and potentially dangerous thing to happen when you are out at sea.
Electric motors and hybrid systems
In recent years there have been considerable advances with the development of electrically powered propulsion in the leisure marine sector. This includes developments with inboard and outboard electric motors, hybrid systems, lithium-ion battery technology as well as solar, wind and hydro powered generators.
