5 Essential Tools for Your Boat Maintenance Kit
To enjoy the perfect cruising or sailing adventure, your boat needs to be in perfect condition. And the first step to achieving that is through regular maintenance and repairs. A boat is no small investment and there are steps you should take to ensure that you’re not stranded or or caught off guard on the water.
This means you need to pay attention to your boat at home while it’s on the trailer as well as when you’re out on the water. Either way, it is always a smart idea to keep some DIY tools handy so that you can do the basic stuff yourself anytime, anywhere.
Active Water Sports brings you a basic guide on the must-have tools for your marine tool kit. Fixing these minor problems is quick and easy with these tools, but if you need some extra help drop by our dealership with your more complex problems. Our skilled technicians will make sure that your craft remains up and running. If you’re looking for new or used boats for sale, check out our inventory in Beaverton or Oregon City, OR.
Battery Terminal Puller
One handy and inexpensive tool that you should always have in your kit is the battery terminal puller. When working on your boat’s battery, you need to be careful to avoid stripping the terminals by using the wrong tool for removal or installation. A battery terminal puller exerts the exact amount of pressure and precision needed without damaging the terminals. You can loosen the terminal bolts with a little effort and get the job done expediently!
Adjustable Face Spanner Wrench
The adjustable face spanner wrench can make things much easier (for you and your boat). You should get one made of premium quality stainless steel that can serve as a deck key with easy access to the sea-strainer, fuel-fill, and water-fill caps. This tool is also great for working on your outboard motor and makes boat repairs a whole lot simpler since you don’t need to use two screwdrivers to access your deck plates.
Jumper/booster Cables
When out on the water, always be prepared for the unexpected. What if your battery dies suddenly? This is where a good set of jumper cables could be an absolute lifesaver. You can use them to hook up an alternate battery or get a jump from another boat. When it comes to jumper cables, make sure you buy a quality set as the cheap ones may come with stiff wires and won’t be as effective.
Moisture Meter
Get a quick digital reading of the moisture levels in your boat with a moisture meter. If you spend a lot of time on the water, this is a very handy tool to have in your kit. A moisture meter can isolate problem ares, help you keep track of the leaks in your vessel and indicate areas that need fixing.
Sailor’s Multitool
How about getting yourself a versatile tool that can do several different jobs? There are many different options in the market so you need to choose a quality multi-tool that will give you the most bang for your buck. Features like a rope cutter, can opener, bottle opener, small blade, hex-nut wrench, paint scraper, and zipper pull are very handy for boat repairs.
These are just some of the many tools that can make routine maintenance and repairs a whole lot easier. If you’re new to boating and looking for the right craft to invest in, Active Water Sports is a great place to check out some amazing boats for sale. We happily serve Portland as well as the cities of Salem and Eugene, OR.