www.iFourWinns.com

I'm on the hunt for a self contained set of tools (wrenches/sockets/allen wrenches/etc) to keep on board the boat for any emergencies. There are lots of options out there - but has anyone found a great set that seems to fit the Four Winns boats themselves? I'm sure everything is a mix of metric and standard... but are there any special tools needed to get to certain areas of the boat?

I found this one that looks pretty good... but it doesn't come in a plastic case or anything...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... +Tool+Sets

thoughts?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Just keep in mind what are you likely to run into that can actually be fixed under way?

KISS

Spare Prop and Wrench... Agreed!
Spark plug and tools? No, I have 7 installed spares and can get onto the trailer with those.
Spare H2O pump? Not likely, or practical to do on the water
Spare Hose clamps and screw drivers.... Definately!
1st Aid Kit, and signal flares.


I have a set of screw drivers, a few replacement bulbs and fuses, prop/wrench and hub, crescent, and slip joint pliers. I would recommend Duct tape and a simple VOM as well, but with dual batt's, I don't typically carry one. Keep this all in a watertight (duh) case... that would still float when full. You never know what the situation requires, but carrying extra weight and taking up extra space is no good either.

Anything more than that is typically beyond a simple "in-water" job for a weekender like us. After all, what are the nuisances you may run into.... loose electrical connections, or burned out lights.... Easy with simple tools. Hose leaking..... Hose clamp, or duct tape.... Do not replace while in water (esp w/ motor running).... bad things can happen! A dinged prop... simple. A spark plug... not likely. Can you determine which one is fouled? Can you even get at any of them with the motor still hot? Save this one for the trailer, and do all 4/6/8.

Remember, you never read the story about the guy who rebuilt his engine to get the 3/4 mile back to shore..... you hear about the guy who sank his boat while trying to work on it in 30 ft of water!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I've wondered the same thing, whether there's a set that would be sort of self-contained and easy to store. But since I want a prop wrench in my kit, that won't work. I also wanted some other oddball stuff it there. So I bought a canvas bag (no, it won't float) and keep in it the following:

- Spare plug
- Socket set
- Wrenches, drivers, & pliers in a tool roll
- Prop wrench
- Voltage tester
- Dielectric grease
- A few spare bulbs but since most things in the boat are now LED I'll probably never need them
- One adjustable wrench kept on top for the drain plug but which could be used for lots of other things
- A small roll of duct tape
- An impeller kit - not that I'd try to replace it on the water but if I needed to do it during a trip I could - see other posts about Volvo parts availability in Missouri
- A couple of feet of neoprene brake hose - in case I need to do any repairs around the trailer lockout solenoid during a trip; could also be used as a siphon hose, etc.
- A ziplock bag with 5 pairs of nitrile gloves

Having said all that, I agree with Walt that there are very few things that both could happen on the water and could be fixed on the water.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

+1 to Mike....
I did forget to mention one thing that Mike implied. I'm a Merc man, with many parts available just a few minutes away from where I boat, and the house. I store my boat (trailered) at the house, so it's easy to work on at home with all my tools, spare parts, compressor, power cord, etc immediately available. Many of you may not have these luxuries so close. This is one reason I don't keep much in the boat. Above all.... boat responsibly!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I have a standard and metric combo Craftsman tool kit. A keep a prop wrench and duct tape on board as well. I have a good diving mask and keep a pair of heavy metal/ wire cutters in case I hit a crab pot or something wraps around one of the props. I also keep my SeaTow card handy as well

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Dave
'03 268 Vista
Cruisin the Chesapeake
http://community.webshots.com/user/Buzzcut39

One thing I'll add is a spare prop nut set. Especially for a Volvo DP. Drop one of those in the water and your going nowhere.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

One thing I am looking for is a waterproof toolbox so my nice new spanners don't rust lie my old ones! Looking at Pelican cases - waterproof, but expensive..

Anyone else have any thoughts on how to keep your tools from rusting??

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Just take them out once in awhile and wipe them down with a slightly oily rag. Once or twice a year ought to do it.

On the spare prop nut for DuoProps, I use a McGard prop lock (also a McGard drive lock) and I keep the original nut in the tool bag.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I bought a small, inexpensive kit from Target that had sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, etc. and came in it's own compact case that I can store under the rear seat. It cost about $20, so if something gets lost, no big deal.

I bought extra sockets for the Prop and lug nuts and keep them in a small Rubbermaid bin with other misc. items.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Sounds like most keep a variety of stuff even if you have one of the small tool sets. This is exactly the discussion I was looking for. Seems like the best option is to "build" your own, suited to your needs, tool kit. Here's a list of the popular items I've read in this discussion and over in one I started with a slightly different topic.

1. Knife
2. Cutters
3. Sockets that fit your prop and trailer lugs or prop wrench
4. Spare prop nut/s
5. Spare Plugs
6. pliers/wrenches/drivers
7. Dielectric grease
8. various size hose clamps
9. Impeller kit
10. Duct Tape

My intent here was to summerize.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB