In fact our list is much, much longer than this, so we picked five specialty tools that we thought would help most sailors for small dollars. The right tool can pay for itself in the first use if it solves a problem. Treat yourself.
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Flexible grabber tool with light?
I think a multimeter with clamp that works on DC current would be more helpful; when I looked up the tool listed, it only tested AC. Anyone else have a favorite?
I concure……….. stay away from the lower cost units…. buy something that measures DC amps (eg 12V battery power) as well as AC. I feel that being able to measure DC amps is VERY important in troubleshooting on a boat. I like the Fluke products myself….read the fine print before you buy…….Wes Herdman
I have a 12’ long piece of spring steel (about ¼ “ wide) with a sharp bend on 1 end and a larger radius bend on the other. I’ve used it hundreds of times to reach lines in the mast or boom and for a variety of other chores. Would not be without it. Also have a piece of plastic covered wire (from a wire hanger) about 16’ that I can bend and shape as needed.
I have lived by my refractometer to make sure I have enough antifreeze concentration in the water tanks for the past half dozen years. We used to get some black mold build up in the water tanks.
Judging by color alone is not enough.
Automatic wire stripper, butane soldering torch, flexible scope like improved bore scope.
Very helpful article. I am going to purchase a hot knife this week.
Keep the ideas coming! The list of tools I have and use is endless, all depending on the problem at hand.
Two days ago I was mounting a turning block on a cored deck, requiring the core to be removed and replaced with epoxy. A roofing nail with the head slit and bent to resemble a propeller is my favorite tool for removing balsa; it is smoother than a bent nail, pulverizes the core more finely, and the pitch lifts the chopped bits up and out of the hole. 3 ml syringes are perfect for both measuring the 5:1 epoxy ratio. Too little for pumps or weighing by pouring from containers. Another was used for placing the epoxy in the holes.
The right tool for the job can be cheap.