Tools that changed your life

[George_SD]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Hose pick. Just one time can do it, making an impossible job easy.

It's rare that you need one of these, but when you do - you better have one. I've got a set of 3 from Harbor Freight and they saved me a ton of time and frustration when working with hoses. Totally agree and recommend!

[Lambretta]

Originally Posted by Dogscout

Knipex Pliers Wrench

I could not agree more .... I have this tool in two sizes

Thanks for saving me having to photograph my one. German engineering at its best

[Jetx]

My two most frequently used Milwaukee 18v tools…

Shop-vac: used for daily house cleaning & project cleanup of course, but also great for blowing out clogged thru-hulls, and clearing air-lock in the aircon circuit if I forget to close the seacock before a “vigorous” sail, or after a long idle period.

Cordless heat-gun: for heat-shrink electrical connections, and for removing stubborn hose-ends.

[Talbot]

Rule ID20 12v air pump - fantastic for inflating dinghy

Jiggle syphon


Both of these have save hours of effort, far beyond initial expectations.

[Laxlife]

+1 for bottle opener and credit card!
Cell phone camera too!
Go those I would add
Electric screw driver
Box cutter-small, cheap plastic with clip off blade sections
6” brass caliper for measuring nuts, bolt heads, wire, hose.
Mini-tea lights. The diameter of a quarter, 1/4” high, LED light twist on-off switching. Great for lighting cabin spaces so on-watch doesn’t wake the off-watch when going below. $1 each on Amazon

[Dave9111]

Oscillating multitool. Its a total no-brainer purchase if you need to actually make changes. I last used it to cut off two bronze through hulls that had to be replaced inside a closet on a 33 ft sail boat. It was a really simple one person job with the tool. Otherwise it could have been an all day job with a bent hacksaw blade. That tool is a game changer for many jobs. Cutting, scraping, notching, sanding, grinding with a carbide rasp head, in tight areas (boats!)
All while maintaining total control.

[JoeRobertJr]

Originally Posted by Ded reckoner

- Impeller puller

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have a style you like? I am going to verify I have clearance for such a tool, because on mine, accidently pulling out the shaft requires disassembling the pump.

[Bay Breeze]

Bosch 12v driver, drill, oscillating tool, snd reciprocating saw. Small enough for on board storage, useful for on boat projects when cruising.

[Jammer]

Oxyacetylene torch. Don't use it on the boat much, but it works a treat on stuck, corroded fasteners.

[sinnerman]

Originally Posted by George_SD

It's rare that you need one of these, but when you do - you better have one. I've got a set of 3 from Harbor Freight and they saved me a ton of time and frustration when working with hoses. Totally agree and recommend!

I have one of these hose removal tools also and they are great to have on board.

[sinnerman]

Most underrated tool: Heat Gun.

I tell everyone "The heat gun is your friend".

[Carl-T705]

Toilet paper... the kind that works, not the John Wayne kind, that doesn't take crap off of anybody!!!!!!!!!!

[JoeRobertJr]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

This tool has saved me from endless cuts and clothing tears from razor sharp ziptie cutoffs ….and also for anyone who works where I installed cable ties in the last 20years.

Thanks! I did not know such a tool existed. I was cutting the tails, then using a file or sandpaper to smooth the ends. That became tedious enough that my engine room wiring ties still have a bunch of unruly tails, because I would rather have the tails than the sharp corners.

I am ordering a flush-cut cable tie gun immediately.

[JoeRobertJr]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Hose pick. Just one time can do it, making an impossible job easy.

Just ordered a set. Thanks for the suggestion!

[sailingunity]

Headlamp. Seriously. Never used one before I owned a boat, but they are so convenient as a light source when you are working in the dark recesses that exist (everywhere) on a boat.