Tools that changed your life

[ColourfulOwl]

Anyone come across any tools (not the human kind) that have been way more helpful then you thought they would of been?

We all have the usual litany of power tools, screwdrivers, wrenches etc. But here are a couple I've found recently that have massively improved life aboard.

• Strap wrench - for changing the oil filters... what I did before I don't know xD
• Jiggly siphon - filling the outboard or separate diesel tank for the heating.

Interested in hearing from more experienced liveaboards and sea dogs what you've come across to make tasks easier.

[SY Harmony]

A bottle opener

[SaylorMade]

Strap wrench for the oil filter was my answer, but now I've shifted to Electric Proplulstion, so that is no longer an issue

[Stingo]

Originally Posted by SY Harmony

A bottle opener

Yep. 100% spot on. Cheers!!!

The other absolutely necessary tool is a credit card

[Orion Jim]

Monitor self-steering wind vane. MFD, radar, depth, knotmeter, autopilot, wind instrument. Roller furling, asymmetrical spinnaker sleeve, line drive whisker pole. The older you get the more important these aids become as they keep you in the game.

[Ded reckoner]

Here's a list of some things we consider invaluable:

- Laser range finder for checking distances to neighboring boats on anchor (for initial set and to monitor their slippage)
- Impeller puller
- White & red light headlamp
- Phone camera to better see something in a tight spot
- West Marine vacuum oil pump
- Hot knife (for cutting lines)
- Flat toothpicks for wooden screw-hole repair
- Swiss Army knife (e.g Victorinox Outrider)
- BIGANT collapsible plastic milk crate

[Ryban]

Pipe wrench: it just wasn't one of those tools I ever used in my other work, but for getting round things to move (like pins in the rigging, pipes of course) it can be magic.

Automatic wire strippers: these make electrical work so much faster and are nearly fool proof. I don't know why anyone would ever use anything else to strip wires.

Climbing harness and ascenders: makes going up the mast a one person job, and also makes it safer.

Hydraulic crimper for large cables. These can be bought cheaply, and make putting terminals on battery cables an easy job, and also means the job will be done right and will last a lot longer.

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Stingo

Yep. 100% spot on. Cheers!!!

The other absolutely necessary tool is a credit card

THE most important

[Jamme]

Originally Posted by Stingo

The other absolutely necessary tool is a credit card

[emoji23][emoji23]

[capt jgw]

Originally Posted by Ryban

Pipe wrench: it just wasn't one of those tools I ever used in my other work, but for getting round things to move (like pins in the rigging, pipes of course) it can be magic.

Automatic wire strippers: these make electrical work so much faster and are nearly fool proof. I don't know why anyone would ever use anything else to strip wires.

Climbing harness and ascenders: makes going up the mast a one person job, and also makes it safer.

Hydraulic crimper for large cables. These can be bought cheaply, and make putting terminals on battery cables an easy job, and also means the job will be done right and will last a lot longer.

For sure on the pipe wrench. Had several at home but didn't think I'd ever need one on the boat. I don't remember what task I was doing but I ended going home to get a pipe wrench. It's still on the boat and I still use it occasionally.

[Dogscout]

Knipex Pliers Wrench

[George_SD]

- 12v transfer pump (makes oil changes easy)
- 12v dual mode (high volume, high pressure) compressor for dinghy and paddle boards

These are serious time savers

[Sailer_Med]

Milwaukee battery powered impact wrench. A big one, 240 ft-lbs if I remember correctly.

[Bowdrie]

I have a section of railroad track that's a few inches long.
It takes the place of a small anvil and is much better steel than the typical cast product from China.
But no, it didn't "Change my life".

[FlyingScot]

Dental picks and car stereo removal tools like these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1