Spare Parts....which ones, and how many?

Two years studying at wine school and how the heck did I miss that class?

Greetings,
Fish, in Antigua you don't have to wear shoes mon...

Almost 7 years of higher education to get an associate in arts degree eek: ) and all I learned was how to open a beer with a bic lighter.

They taught that in 9th grade here. Your schools must be wasting time with things like math, etc.

The rare occasions I've been caught without a corkscrew I've always just pushed the cork in with a butter knife or the handle of a fork or spoon. Of course you then have to drink the whole bottle but that's never really been a hardship.

Ok, I'm bringing this thread back to life since it got derailed with the corkscrew comments ;-) back in 2010.
Since it's looking a lot like I'm going to be driving a 48 ft Sunseeker in the next few weeks, I'd like to get suggestions of tools to have on board for a boat with Triple diesel Volvos and for usual day tripping and weekend trips to the Bahamas. Looking for a good list of tools and supplies to have on board to get us back home in case of somtthing breaking. As far as I understand the usual trip ending problems are either electrical or fuel related; is my assumption correct?
Thanks,

All depends how much you want to spend and how prepared you want to be. Spare fuel filters, a roll of electrical tape, a little baling wire, a belt and a Leatherman will get you through most common emergencies. From there the list can grow to look like a NASCAR garage. If you'll be cruising the shallows spare props are always nice to have.

Hiya

Sunseekers are built in the UK and I would check you have the necessary Metric spanners, sockets and Allen Keys on board in addition to the imperial sets you may be more used to in the USA. These are in addition to what has already been mentioned and something else which I've just thought of but not sure was in my original list; a oil filter strap wrench.

The engine compartment Has enough room for a fair amount of supplies but not NASCAR levels
With triple engines do I still need spare props? Isn't one likely to hit the center props if ever grounding the boat, so the 2 outboard engines should still be in working order?

Thanks for reminding me about the metric wrenches! Hadn't thought of that yet.

I'm sorry, I missed the 'tripple' part. Are they IPS? If so, scratch props and add the oil for the IPS units to your list. If you manage to chunk a prop you'll probably want to have the unit checked. If conventional inboard, yes, stbd & port. There's no guarantee you'll hit a level, centered object or be level when you do.

hehehehe. I learned how to open beer with a dollar bill!!!!!!!! Roll the dollar bill really tight, bend it in half, and pop the top with it......wallah.

I don't know if I'd bother with spare props, if you're just going to do FL and the Bahamas. Definately have several sets of the Separ filters that sunseeker loves to use. A spare a/c strainer basket or convert it to a Groco/Perko. Light Bulbs, strong double-sided velcro for the ceiling panels when they fall down (which they will), a set of impellors for the mains, 2 impellors for the gen, primary fuel filters for everything, belts, fluids, hoses, bilge pump, float switches, a small diesel can with diesel in it, handheld VHF, handheld GPS, plenty of lightbulbs for everything, electrical kit with heatshrink butt connectors, multi-meter, stripper/crimper, cleaning supplies and shurhold handles/chamois mop, brush, water hose, etc. The amount of spares really depends on your cruising area, duration, and how often.

May I also recommend a few sets of Separ seals and gaskets. They are rubbish for seating in, being square in shape. Most of our Owners/Skippers ask for the filters to be changed to Racors.

I wholeheartedly agree about switching them to racors. I don't know which I hate more, the Separs or the old Dahls.......LOLOLOL Plus the Separs don't have a lot of surface area compared to a racor.

Oh boy, I'd forgotten about Dahls!!!!!







So easy to change at sea.

Thanks for all the replies! I am excited about finalizing the purchase and starting to play with the boat; spend time on it and starting to get it to my liking but The deal is not completed yet, closing should be in about 3 weeks; I requested some repairs of items found during the engine and hull surveys but it all looks good so far.

Regarding some of the issues raised: not IPS, regular Volvo DP-G stern drives; already has Racors; Koehler genset.

I Have to go on a couple of business trips including one this afternoon that are going to jerp me away from Florida for the next 2-3 weeks and when I get back we should be ready to close then I'll have a lot more questions to ask ;-)

I/O's? Make sure you carry high speed gear lube. Once spent half a day begging some up on Block Island. Ended up buying a guy lunch in exchange. Tranny fluid (trim tabs), Power trim & tilt fluid, oil. Atomic tape in case a hose pops and a couple of spare clamps. Also a thin paper clip or such (in case you clog the intakes) and a spare thermostat. Spare props would also be a good idea in case you spin a hub, and a prop wrench. Battery jumper, Boat U.S. or Sea Tow membership.

Add zincs for the stern drives. I'd be very wary about keeping them in the water (stern drives) 24/7, and would have a good diver on the boat monthly to keep up with the zincs on them. Also adding a Galvanic Isolator to the boat would be a VERY good idea. However, you can't add gear lube to most stern drives. Volvo's are a sealed unit, and only some of the newer Mercruisers have a resevoir in the boat. However when you change the gear lube, the Mercury high performance gear lube is probably the best out there. Also haul the boat annually on the dot, and have them serviced and the seals checked on the lower units and rams. Spare props 1rh set and 1lh set would be a good idea as they're pretty reasonably priced for a stern drive and aren't that heavy to keep in the boat.