As the move into sailboat liveaboard life continues, I am facing a need to downsize my tool collection. My goal is to cruise with a competent set of tools but I will not have access to any shore-based storage area.

Ideas on best multi-wrench, multi-screwdriver, etc. gear?

Thanks.

Here's a few ideas:(I actually use these at work as well)
I couldn't find the ratcheting 1/4 inch drive from snap, also don't forget different size vice grips, a cordless drill, hand drill,drill bits and ezy outs for drilling out corroded screws on a boat.



2- 7 inch Knipex Plier Wrench and 1-10 inch Knipex Plier Wrench

http://search.thetoolwarehouse.net/?keyw...mp;GoSearch.y=0





1- GearWrench QuadBox

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/KD-85200.html



Screwdriver, Ratcheting, Magnetic, T-Handle, Long, 10"

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...amp;dir=catalog




Screwdriver, Ratcheting, Magnetic, T-Handle, Stubby

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?...amp;dir=catalog



Back up hand drill

http://hand-tools.gillroys.com/Hand_Drills/10-1/2_IN_HAND_DRILL-s311567.html



10 screw extractors. Multiple-spline construction.
http://72.3.248.94/product/tabid/120/p-318110-10se.aspx

Dottie makes a couple of 15-in-1 screwdrivers, one with an orange handle and one with a greenish-gray handle. They each have different tips in them.

I use these every single day at work, I got them at ADI (an alarm equipment distributor) but they can likely be bought at other places.

I am wondering what you mean by a competent tool set.

I would suggest if you deal with rigging get a rigging knife with a turnbuckle key.
For wrenches I would say a good adjustable, a pair of vise grips, and a ratchet handle with the sockets to fit what nuts and bolts actually exist on your boat.
You are not likely to be tearing down and rebuilding your engine at sea but you might need to fix a pump or tighten a fan belt.

I would also suggest spare sockets for the two most commonly sized and most likely to get twisted nuts you have aboard.

And my recommendation for a good, extremely sturdy toolbox is a "fat .50" ammo can. I carry 3 of these, along with one bigger one, in my Jeep and they are as close as you can get to being indestructible.

Yeah, fat 50s are great, I have a few, including "red" ones for my first aid gear (with the white cross)

If you're using them as a tool box, throw a couple of moth balls in the bottom. Believe it or not, the stuff they outgass helps prevent rust! Also add some silica gell packs. Remember, that if the seals are good, ammo cans are water resistant (NOTHING is water proof)

Saltwater environment.

Often no significant or available electrical power.

"Competent" is clearly in the eye of the beholder.

The boat includes both metric and standard hardware.

Good stuff, please keep it coming!

Thread file. Keep it in a dry place well oiled.

Nail puller/prybar.

Liquid wrench.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-tools/thread-file/

Metric and standard? That's what Crescent wrenches are made for...;^)

But seriously, if you can, do an inventory of the sizes of nuts and bolt heads and either put together a kit of sockets and wrenches needed or get a pre-assembled kit in both metric and standard (SAE) sizes. Don't forget the extensions.

I'd probably have a 1/4" as well as a 3/8" kit onhand and limit the 1/2" and larger ratchets to those sizes that are specific to your needs. There are adapters that will allow you to mix and match some sockets but be careful of putting a large socket onto a small ratchet, the torque needed might be too much for the ratchet.

Those combo screwdrivers are really handy, especially the ones that can also be used as nut drivers.

The Gearwrench setup above looks really handy but I don't know if the metal quality is any good? Presumably it is if Falcon5000 uses them in a commercial/work setting.

The hand drill is a great idea, we've gotten so spoiled with rechargeable portable tools that we forget about the truly manual stuff sometimes.

I'd definitely get some Liquid Wrench or even better, the PB Blaster penetrant for sticky nuts and bolts. And those Knipex pliers are just the cats meow to a tool guy like me, I haven't convinced myself that I need them badly enough yet but I've used them and they just flat work.

hmmm...what was that website again...?

JohnE

P.S. get yourself some silicone "rescue tape", great stuff and it's even available at Harbor Freight.

If you were wanting a set of wrenches that will attack both metric and standard Metrinch are pretty good.
http://www.metrinch-tools.com/website/dealers.php?subnr=2

I would still say look around and just get the tools you need.
I know I tend to load up on gear to much and end up with items that only get used once in a blue moon.

I assume you have a glass hull. So do you have any patches for it?
How about emergency plugs, inner tubes and hose clamps in case a through hull decides to let go?

Again on the nuts and bolts, spares for the ones most likely to get stripped or lost.

A bit of coarse sand paper too.

I guess having a hacksaw would be too obvious to suggest, so how about a hammer.