What tools/supplies do you keep on your boat for emergencies??

[Bassnajr]

Hey all...

I was in a state tournament last year as a co-angler. In the middle of a large lake in upstate New York, my anglers boat started to take on water (bilge problem). This guy was like McGuyver!!! He had wire and and was able to jump the bilge right from the battery. A little duct tape and some quick thinking....dangerous situation averted!!!

This got me thinking..what's on my boat...am I prepared for whatever????

I figured I'd ask here...what kind of "McGuyver kit" do you folks have....just in case???!!!

Alan (detajr)

[Clyde]

I have pretty simple hand tools on board. Wrenches, pliers, etc. But I tell ya what I do have, last year one time I NEEDED my bilge pump and it was not working. Well I made it out of that situation but once I got home I got my bilge pump working. I had a broken wire. But I also went and bought a cheap bilge pump put two batter clips on it and a short hose. Now if for some reason my built in pump does not work. I have a back up.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I keep a small assortment of general hand tools (sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc).  I also have wire on hand, some good water/fuel proof tape, epoxy, and jb weld.  I keep a manual hand pumping bilge on hand as well just in case.  I also keep extra hydraulic fluid and oil handy as well.  I frequently drive the boat over to the Bahamas, so having all kinds of small stuff stored below the deck is just smart.  I've been in the boat and had a breakdown out in the middle of the Gulfstream before, not cool.  That is a long ride back to the marina behind a tow boat.  Short of me having to rebuild the engine, I believe there is something in my emergency stash that can cover almost anything.  But, you never really know.

[bear7625]

I keep a small assortment of general hand tools (sockets, wrenches, pliers, etc). I also have wire on hand, some good water/fuel proof tape, epoxy, and jb weld. I keep a manual hand pumping bilge on hand as well just in case. I also keep extra hydraulic fluid and oil handy as well. I frequently drive the boat over to the Bahamas, so having all kinds of small stuff stored below the deck is just smart. I've been in the boat and had a breakdown out in the middle of the Gulfstream before, not cool. That is a long ride back to the marina behind a tow boat. Short of me having to rebuild the engine, I believe there is something in my emergency stash that can cover almost anything. But, you never really know.

Add a good flashlight!

[Goose52]

I only have a canoe but I still carry a multi-tool/plier, knife, flashlight, spare mini-paddle, bailer, sponge, plastic bags, small first aid kit, some other stuff. Now that I'm thinking about it, I should probably carry some "duct" type tape - I could probably patch a gash/hole in my aluminum hull if I had to with that ...

[Long Mike]

For emergencies I always keep a roll of toilet paper and a couple of rubbers on board.   

[SoFlaBassAddict]

For emergencies I always keep a roll of toilet paper and a couple of rubbers on board.

Sheer brilliance.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

For emergencies I always keep a roll of toilet paper and a couple of rubbers on board.

I also live by this motto

[bass or bass ?]

I have a small plastic tool box full of tools;pliers, screwdrivers, sparkplug wrench and gapper, openend wrenches, spark plugs, bailing wire, electrical wire, electrical tape, duct tape, small electrical test light, small file, box cutter, etc.

I keep another one in my truck and my car.

[Javelin200]

I fill a Plano 3700 with an assortment of wiring connectors, heat shrink tubing, zip ties, elec. tape, wiring pliers, prop socket and 1/2" drive, asst'd fuses, extra trim relays, multi-bit screw driver, mini-mag lite, cig lighter and matches, spare bulbs for trailer lights, and ten or so other things I can't remember. In a separate tote, I keep a full set of plugs and plug wrench, a spare prop for main engine and trolling motor, a set of jumper cables. and a small spool of 10 ga wire.

I usually end up using MY kit to fix everybody else's rigs. 

[R520dvx]

For emergencies I always keep a roll of toilet paper and a couple of rubbers on board.

Do you use the toilet paper and the rubbers for the same situation??   :-?

[Tpayneful]

I have a water proof orange box with pliers, dikes, screw drivers, wrenches, ratchet, crimp connectors, tape, tie wraps, heat shrink, light bulbs, fuses, wet wipes, digital volt meter, 9V battery, lighter, signal horn and a FIRST AID KIT. 

Need to add wire after reading this.  One of these days I will add jumper cables too. 

[Goldstar225]

TP, electrical & Duct Tape, spare set of pre-gapped spark plugs, plug wrench, multi-bit screwdriver, diagonal cutters, channel-lock pliers, spare length of rope to replace trolling motor pull cord, spare fuses. I keep a surefire 6p flashlight and an LED headlamp in the toolbox.

If I'm on a lake large enough that I may no make it to safety if a sudden storm blows up, I carry a small tarp and 550 cord to make a temporary shelter. I also have a small wood saw and fire starter.

[Glenn]

I agree with everything stated here so far.  I carry pretty much all of what's been mentioned except for the saw.  Remember to have signal flares too. 

One item not mentioned is an adapter for your trailer plug (if you use one).  I'm talking about the wire plug that connects to your truck when towing. Having a spare will turn a ruined trip into a great one.

[Nitrofreak]

My emergency supplies are seasonal but my common tools to have stay the same.

In the winter there are extra clothes a small plug in type heater and a sleeping bag etc...

In the summer lot's of water, a tarp etc..

But I am also thinking about our fellow fishing buddies so I have a tow rope and a radio for emergencies,  Anyone at any time can have a heat stroke, Heart attack etc... So I try to be prepaired for that type of situation as well.

[Wayne P.]

If you have a Mercury, you should carry a spare trim relay/s and a nut driver or socket set to fit the bolt that attaches it to the engine. I swapped trim relays a couple of weeks ago for a boater while on the water and all he had was an open end wrench that barely fit that bolt head. It was very difficult to do since the relays are not easily accessed. I had to use the wrench parallel to the bolt and turn it with pliers.

I would also suggest that you loosen tha bolts and retighten them finger tight. They are way too long for the task and won't vibrate out of the threads if you do.