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	See more 'boat project' discussions by Dave  on the CSY Owners Forum

Miscellaneous

Last Updated:  May 1, 2017

Recommended Reading

Here are the guides that have helped me learn how to do repairs on my own, and which I still refer to over and over.

Nigel Calder's Boat Owner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual
Nigel Calder's Marine Diesel Engines
Nigel Calder's book on Refrigeration
Brian Toss's The Complete Rigger's Apprentice

And see my comments on acquiring all the shop manuals for the equipment on your boat.

Tools and Spares

(Topica Post 24 June 08) Great question for the list. The subject of what tools and spares to carry is one of those never ending boating compromises. Weight and space vs more stuff. Personally, I don't think you can ever have too many tools aboard as long as you have the space. And in the 44s we do have plenty of space.

What you carry depends a lot on what equipment you have aboard, how involved you plan to be with the mechanical and electrical repairs on your boat, and how far afield you plan to go. If you plan on using hired mechanics or staying close to the US you may not need many tools at all beyond the basics. On the other hand out here in the boonies proper tools are hard to come by and expensive even for the hired mechanics. As an example you may not like the 3 lb sledge the mechanic is planning on using on your delicate pump to get it apart because they don't have the right tool. There have been many articles written in the sailing magazines regarding tool kits for boats. Do a little internet research and I'm sure you can come up with them to start you off with the basics.

I also don't think that you can have too many spares. I obviously haven't used all mine yet, but it sure has been nice to have them when I needed them. For instance, I recently replaced a leaking injector line with an onboard spare off the Panama coast in a rainstorm. Without it and the engine, it would have been a nightmare getting in to our San Blas anchorage. As another example, 50 amp diodes for the larger alternators over 100 amps are hard to find down here. The common smaller automotive alternators use 30 amp diodes and that is what most alternator repair shops will have and want to use. I learned that lesson several years ago here in Cartagena and now have learned to do my own overhauls with the right diodes and other parts. Also shipping/customs/handling from the US or elsewhere is often equal to or more than the cost of the parts. I also carry a full assortment of SS fasteners, plumbing fittings, electrical connectors/wire, etc, etc because the hardware stores out here are never conveniently located just around the corner. If you think that you may need it and it is not something basic you better bring it with you.

I agree with Craig in that I find 120v electrical tools a much better value and and in most cases stronger and better designed. You are going to have to have AC current on board anyway for other things and IOT charge the batteries for any battery powered tool you have. That said, I do carry a battery powered 3/8" drill which I find very useful mainly because I use it more than any other electrical tool. If you do buy battery powered tools try to get 18 volts or better for their strength.

In addition to Craig's list here are some other specialty tools I find useful for long term cruising. This is by no means a complete list of what you may need but rather often used tools off the top of my head:

Electrical repair:
-Battery load tester
-Lug crimper for large electrical cables
-Craftsman AC/DC clamp multimeter
-Battery electrolyte/engine coolant tester Electronics repair:
-HF and VHF SWR/power out meter
-HF Dummy load
-adjustable heat pencil tip soldering iron
-solder sucker
-head magnifying glass
-soldering vice tool

Rig and Sail repair:
-Butane powered line cutting tool
-Robust sewing machine and associated tools
-Sail repair kit and tools
-Loos tension guage for tuning the rig
-100' tape measure
 
Electric tools:
-4.5" grinder with cutting, grinding and sanding wheels
-Sawsall
-Quality Bosch style saber saw
-Laser temperature gun
-Electronic tachometer gun
-1/2" drill
-Dremel tool kit
-Precision Battery Tester

Refrigeration repair:
-guages
-vacuum pump
-flare tools
-electronic leak tester

Engine repair tools for your engine:
-large sockets/wrenches for pulley and flywheel nuts
-complete set of gaskets/seals
-valve setting/engine alignment tools
-prop pulling tools

Other tools
-Set of Titanium drill bits
-Drill bit set to 1"
-Hole saws to 4"
-Minature screwdriver set
-Tap and die sets for SAE and
-metric Plumber's socket set for stanchion nuts
- Shop Manuals and Schematics

If you are really serious about having the right tools aboard then take the time to take apart and put back together ALL your critical equipment. Buy the tools you need to do that and you will be on the right track. Then there's what to buy for the "nice to have stuff". Consult with your wife on that, because you are going to be competing with her for storage space by then.

You can spend a fortune on tools for a boat. In the past I have bought many tools from places like Harbor Freight. I have had very few failures and still have some that I bought over 10 years ago. I think that many of the expensive brand names like Bosch, Craftsman, Milwaukee and others are over priced and much higher quality than what you will need. They are built for everyday use by contractors, that's not you if you only use the tool once and a while on a boat. The salt enviornment will damage them all the same unless you are carful with storage and use. I recommend you look around and evaluate cost efficiency before you buy expensive tools. And that way you can buy even more different tools.

Hopefully, some other do it yourself mechanics on this list will add to Craig's and my list so that we can get a pretty complete "favorite tools" list for the CSY group.

Security

Regarding security issues here's what's on Soggy Paws right now.

Personal security aboard includes the following:

1. Deck hatch bars. Every deck hatch has crossed 1" stainless steel bars in the hatch (just 2 bars each hatch leaving four 8" spaces). They are tightly screwed into the fiberglass with #14 round head screws with JB Weld in the screw heads.  With these in place, we feel we can leave hatches propped open slightly when we're gone, or full open when we're aboard. They don't block the wind, but would keep a person from coming in thru the hatch. At night we can still get full ventilation and feel pretty secure that we won't get unplanned visitors.

 

2. Companionway Boards are in place every night. Our companionway has 2 hatch boards and a sliding top. The 'low security' version of our hatch boards are boards with the center area open (for ventilation), but with stainless steel 1/2" wire mesh AND mosquito screen. Thus we can put the boards in, still have ventilation, keep out the bugs, and keep out intruders. One good kick from a strong person would breach the wire mesh, but then we'd hear them and have some time to prepare (and the hole the wire covers is a little tight for an average strong guy)

We also have a 'high security' set of boards, for when we're off the boat in a dicey place, for long periods of time, or if we're really worried about nighttime security. These are boards made of 1/2" Lexan, essentially bulletproof.

3. Interior lock for Companionway Sliding Hatch. In place every night. We have a very easy method to secure the sliding overhead hatch from the inside. An oversized hole on either side of the inside of the door, just under the hatch, with a bolt with a large head. This essentially just slides in easily with your fingers, and prevents the hatch from sliding back.  It can be removed very quickly if needed (from the inside) in the dark.

4. Exterior lock for Companionway Sliding Hatch. In place every time we leave the boat, even for an hour, even in a 'safe' place. We have a heavy duty Abus combo lock with a SS hasp on the outside, to padlock the sliding hatch and secure the hatch boards, when we leave.

5. Inside the boat... Our arsenal--Defense In Depth. Guns are hard to deal with aboard. They rust in the salt air and the officials don't like you to have them.  You can get in some serious trouble by trying to 'smuggle' guns into a country, and if you check them in with the officials as they require, then they are not aboard when you need them. So... We have several cans of 'Bear Spray', one right by the companionway, and one in our bunk. This is a very strong/large version of pepper spray and is sold in hunting stores.  It is designed to subdue large Grizzly Bears. We also have an electronic Tazer (a friend gave to us) that the police use.  It will knock a big man down instantly so it can be used for close up protection.  They are sold on the internet.  We also have a 25 mm flare pistol with SS inserts sized to shoot 12 guage shotgun shells or 38 bullets.

6.  Alarm Siren for Intruders on Deck
Finally, if we hear intruders on deck in the middle of the night, we have mounted a manually-activated alarm siren on the arch.  The switch is located in our bunk, so we can quietly sound the alarm.  This we hope will scare off the intruders without having a personal confrontation.  It is also a way to clearly identify our boat to others in the anchorage, if we are having any kind of an emergency. (Works great also for clearing the cockpit when Happy Hour runs too late :)

Version shown was our original Amseco Siren/Strobe.  Here is an Amazon link to current model:  Amseco Siren Strobe

Security for our 'Stuff' Aboard

1. Be low key... Don't flash your stuff.

2. Don't leave stuff out on deck. We don't have anything stored on deck (ie no gas cans, etc). Fishing poles and dive gear is all stored inside when in port or when not being used.

3. Anti-theft Locks on Motors. All outboard motors stored on the railings are locked on with stainless steel barrel locks (the same locks that lock them onto the dinghy when they are in use). These are custom crafted from stainless steel pipe but are similar in function to the crappy rust-prone one sold by West Marine.

4. The dinghy is lifted EVERY NIGHT WITHOUT FAIL. We have davits that will lift the dinghy 8' off the water. We have a light aft on the arch so that it acts as our anchor light, a boarding light and a security light for the dinghy and the stern of the boat.  We usually only lift it half that distance where it conveniently rests against our Monitor wind vane.  In that position it is about 3' from our aft bunk.  Enough that the effort to steal it would make some noise. We sleep in the aft cabin right under the dinghy. In high theft areas, we lift it high AND chain it on with a heavy 3/8" SS chain and heavy lock. It could still be stolen with a huge effort and lots of noise, but the point is to encourage the thieves to go steal someone else's dinghy that's easier to make off with. There is always someone too lazy to lift their dinghy.

Even if you don't have davits (mostly a convenience) you can lift the dinghy on a halyard. But lift it high enough that they can't get to it (I know of one guy who had his dinghy stolen by them bringing the boat under the dinghy and swiping at the halyard with a machete, and they just paddled off with the dinghy (with motor attached of course).  Lifting the dinghy on a halyard alongside fouls the side of the boat and may be a big problem if you had to get underway suddenly due to heavy weather.  Davits are a much better solution.

5. Dinghy locked at the dock.  At the dinghy dock, we use a lifeline cable and a hefty lock to keep casual theft at bay. This won't stop a determined thief, but since there's always some dummy who doesn't even bother to lock his dinghy, we hope it will slow them down.

6. Our outboard motors don't look new. Do something to that shiny new outboard motor to make it look either unique or old and decrepit (or both).  Ours has been painted a floral motif.

7. Don't put your boat name in a visible place on your dinghy. While it's nice looking and a friendly way to meet people, it also tells thieves monitoring the dinghy docks who's not aboard. It IS a good idea to mark your dinghy and your motor in a non-visible place, in case it gets stolen it helps in identification.

Personal Security Ashore

1. Be low key... Don't flash your stuff. Don't wear expensive clothes, jewelry, etc and don't stay in flashy places.

2. Keep money and ID in a secured front pocket (ie buttoned flap) or money belt. Take the time to make sure your money, credit card, and 'stuff' are secured after using them at a business. (ie don't go out on the street still trying to sort the money you just withdrew from the bank or still putting away the credit cards, etc).

3. Use pocket cameras in dicey places, and make sure they go into a secured pocket when not in use.

4. Try not to be alone. Especially in dicey places, at night, when drinking. Drink on the boat or in the club/marina bar. You wouldn't believe the stories we heard in Colombia about gringo guys out drinking getting taken for a ride by women... But even in broad daylight in a nice city, we make sure we go in pairs to the bank to withdraw cash. One person watches the situation while the other one does the money.

5. Carry a personal can of mace/pepper spray, even during daylight.

Manuals & Schematics

You should go to the effort and expense of acquiring the 'shop manuals' for every piece of equipment you own... even if you don't think you'll be trying to repair it yourself.  Having the manual in some remote port will aid the local repair person (or that friendly cruiser trying to help you out) to fix your specific brand and model.

If you have someone install your equipment, ask them if you can acquire or copy their manual.  Look for manuals and schematics online (purchase and/or download).

Nowadays, for most NEW equipment, you can download the manual as a PDF file.  It's the older equipment that's sometimes hard to get the manuals for.  Ask around the anchorage when you've got time--with your camera you can quickly photograph an entire manual, and save the pages in case you need them in the future.

We have posted a few older Lewmar Winch Manuals that we've scrounged over the years on our Files Page... enjoy.

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