DaySailer.org Forum

Greetings all,
I've read a number of posts which highlight the "keep it simple" and "keep it lightweight", etc. philosophies.

For me, I think I might have been dropped on my head by a boy scout when I was a baby because I have nearly a fanatical need to be ready for anything that might possibly ever happen. With that compulsion in mind, I've started to put together a tool box for my DS2 and have realized I'm probably over-packing (my 5 drawer rolling tool box won't fit in the cuddy, and there's no place to plug in the arc welder...).

I'd be interested to hear the contents of the typical DS2 sailing toolbox. Both tools and emergency "parts" (i.e. Duct tape, spare mast, Peanut M&M's, etc.)
Thanks - Scott

Scott,
I keep mine pretty simple.
6in adjustable wrench
Needle Nose with wire cutter
Slip joint Pliers
6 in 1 screwdriver. (phillips, slotted, nut driver combo style)
Allen wrench set, (for Windex mount)
Spool of Monel Wire
Roll of rigging tape
Spool of waxed sail twine.
Assorted cotter pins, split rings and clevis pins

If you keep the rig simple, you shouldn't need a whole lot more.
And of course my Swiss Army knife, I dont leave home with out it.
Kevin

Like Skippa, My tools are fairly simple. I have a small plastic tool box (12"x8"x2" thick) that I have secured (but removable) inside the cuddy up against the cockpit bulkhead. Tools that I carry are:

Small needle nose type vice grips with wire cutter
Phillips and slotted screw drivers
Riggers tape
Sail repair kit
Spare pin for mast hinge
Small multiple socket hex wrench
Spare tiller bolt
Spare eschusion for rudder
A couple small blocks and shackles
Turnbuckle parts
Assorted cotter pins, split rings, screws, and clevis pins

Added to the above when sailing the Texas 200 (5 days of sailing) I add:

My old set of stays
A spare spreader

John

Scott,
I'm going to answer this, even though I sail a DS1.

In all the years sailing, I've had these onboard tools.
Knife
Scissors
Adjustable pliers (the two position kind)
Screwdriver

The latter two I keep in my glove compartment and have used them occasionally for some minor adjustments on launch (tightening the CB bolts/screws)

The knife is primarily intended as a safety device, most memorable use was passing it to another dinghy before a race so they cut slice a lime. (Forgot what the lime was for).

Since upgraded that to a small Leatherman tool.

The scissors are there to cut sail repair tape, should I need it.

Materials/spares:

• Sail repair tape
• Electrical tape
• Rigging tape
• Band-aid
• Spare batteries
• Odds&Ends

The two times we took real damage during a race, things were beyond anything I could have repaired on board. The times I broke a spreader, a temporary repair with tape worked fine (on land) - the spreader broke at the fitting, so all the repair had to do is secure it against the mast.

The band-aid was needed most often (and more than once, I had to substitute electrical tape).

I've never needed on the water repairs and never had to postpone a launch to go home and get more tools. If I did longer trips (in duration or distance) and/or sailed more often in stronger winds, I might need to prepare for more eventualities.

One of the items under "odds&ends" that's been useful has been a cable tie. It figured in my emergency repair of the broken spreader.