Check your toolbox to make sure you don't forget anything before you leave on your boat

As it is impossible to have all the tools on board, there are 2 ways to understand the composition of your toolkit. The first approach is long-term autonomy. To do this, you need the tools to cover all potential needs. Since there are so many of them, the list in this toolkit is almost endless. The second approach is safe, and aims to take with you what you need to repair urgently in order to get back home safely. Here, we will deal with the second solution, the canoe's first aid kit. Of course, your tips, tricks and good plans will be welcome to complete it.

Chloé Torterat Published on March 28, 2022

When sailing, it is important to have a toolkit to carry out repairs on the edge. Even if it seems obvious, it is difficult to establish an unchanging list since everything depends on your boat, your program, your equipment, your perception and your experience. Here is a minimalist list to guide all those who feel lost in the development of a first aid kit for boats.

Sails

Insigna Scotch in spinnaker or dacron canvas
Needles, surlier thread, pommel and pliers

Running rigging

1 top-of-the-range rope that will serve as a halyard or replacement sheet
Spectra rope that will have a thousand functions on board, such as manufacture a textile shackle or to carry out transfilings.
A few fiction terminals that will replace the edge pulleys well

Tools and equipment

Lubricant: type WD40 (lubrication, moisture removal, corrosion protection) and anti-friction oil. The major brands of fittings offer them, but you can find them at Décathlon, in the cycling section.
High quality saw blade for HR steel (High Strength)
Drills + cordless electric screwdriver or manual drill (type of hand drill)

Multiple pliers
Wheel wrench
Vise clamp
2 or 3 different wrenches at the most common bolt sizes on your boat (diameter 10 and 13 often used for fittings)
Allen wrench set
Screwdriver with a bit and its bit set
Socket wrench set

Glues

Ultra-fast curing glue type Cyanolit
Polyurethane putty (sikaflex type) for flexible and wet bonding
Quick epoxy glue (two-component syringe)

Electrical

Voltmeter... for those who know how to use it
Electrician's Scotch
Connection terminals. To replace unreliable dominoes, today there are fast connection terminals with insulation stripping and silicone gel to insulate.

Miscellaneous

The indispensable multifunctional tool with endless possibilities: the Leatherman multifunctional tool clamp
Very powerful self-adhesive scratch tape for temporary fixing, type Dual-Lock
Sanding paper of different weights
Degreaser. Bombs for cleaning brakes can be found in specialist shops.
Metre
Hunting or fishing knife
Rechargeable storm lighter
Solid fiber Scotch tape type Ducktape

Engine

It is a specific first aid kit that depends on the type (outboard / inboard) of your engine and even the brand