Tools For Boat Maintenance
You need to follow some boat maintenance steps to ensure that your boat is always in great condition for all your cruising or sailing adventures. Your boat is an investment so you should take some time to keep its value up. Sometimes this involves you making some adjustments when you’ve loaded your boat onto a trailer.
At other times, you may have to handle small repairs while your boat is out on the water to get your craft moving again. To do any of this, you’re going to need the right set of tools that will help you tackle problems quickly and efficiently.
We at JC Sports want to help you keep your boat in the best shape possible, which is why we’ve compiled this list of tools every boat owner or operator needs to have. If you come across issues you can’t handle or want some professional maintenance, contact our boat parts and service department in Seneca, SC for help. We're here for all the boat needs of our friends from Greenville and Anderson.
Battery Terminal Puller
When you’re working on your boat’s battery, if you don’t use the right tool on the terminals you can accidentally strip them when removing or installing them. A battery terminal puller gives you the right amount of strength and precision to loosen terminal bolts and get the job done quickly. These handy tools aren’t very expensive and are a must-have for anyone who wants to work on their boat.
Adjustable Face Spanner Wrench
When you have to access your deck plates, don’t just grab two screwdrivers. You should invest in a high-quality, stainless steel adjustable face spanner wrench. You can use this tool as a deck key that will help you to reach the sea-strainer, fuel-fill and water-fill caps, as well as helping you work on your outboard motor.
Folding/Rigging Knife & Scissors
Boat service often involves things like cutting ropes, undoing knots, slicing lines during emergencies, cutting gaskets and other similar tasks. So it’s important to have a clean, sharp blade on hand to help you out. Stainless steel or titanium is best as they won’t corrode.
Get a quality rigging knife and a set of scissors so you’re really set for whatever cutting tasks you have to do. For more convenience, you can get a lightweight floating knife so even if you accidentally drop it in the water, you won’t lose it.
Jumper Cables
You probably have a pair of jumper cables for your car or truck so you know how helpful these can be in a fix. Jumper cables are also very useful for boat maintenance. Use them to hook up an alternate battery or get a jump from another boat when your battery dies out on you. When shopping for these, don’t grab the cheapest option as it’ll probably have stiff wires and may not be able to give you enough power to actually get your boat started. Invest in a good pair.
Sailor’s Multitool
There are several different multitool styles on the market so you have your choice when it comes to a versatile tool that can tackle several different jobs. When making your selection, some of the features you should seek are a marlinspike, rope cutter, can opener, bottle opener, small blade, hex-nut wrench, paint scraper and zipper pull. Stainless steel models are the most durable and come in the shape of a flat card or small folding device. When you get a quality multitool, it’ll give you the best features for your money.
Moisture Meter
If you’re a boat owner who spends a lot of time on your boat or lives in it long-term, you should keep track of any leaks or any areas where moisture seems to be building up. Moisture meters will give you a quick digital reading of the levels of moisture around your boat so you can isolate problem areas and repair them.
With the right set of tools by your side, you’ll be able to fix the small issues that occur on boats from time to time. Keep it tuned up and maintained and your boat will serve you well for years to come. If you want to get professional boat service or are faced with a problem you can’t handle on your own, contact the parts and service department of JC Sports at our location in Seneca, SC. Our trained technicians are qualified to work on all kinds of watercraft and will whip your boat into shape in no time. We’re proud to be the preferred boat dealer for our friends from Greenville and Anderson.