Must-Have Boat Maintenance Tools
Your boat is a valuable investment that needs to be kept in peak condition in order to serve you well all season long. While you can always benefit from professional help, there are several necessary maintenance tasks that you can do on your own time to make sure your craft is always ready to go.
In order to do those tasks, though, you not only need to know what you’re doing, but you also need to have the correct tools for the job. Here at Kelly’s Port in Osage Beach, MO, we know a thing or two about the tools you’ll need for proper boat maintenance, so we’ve drawn up a list of the most important implements you’ll want to have on hand.
Jumper Cables
You might already carry a set of these in your passenger car or truck, but did you know they can be just as useful on a boat? Your marine battery is as vulnerable as any on land, so if it dies, you can hook it up easily to another battery or get a jump from another craft. Get a good quality jumper cable set, even if it means spending a bit more money, so you won’t have to worry about not having enough power to get your boat moving.
Battery Terminal Puller
When it’s time to perform some maintenance on your battery, you shouldn’t use the wrong tool to strip the terminals. Using a battery terminal puller will give you the precise amount of strength necessary to loosen those terminal bolts and make replacements simple. This tool doesn’t cost much, but will come in handy when you need it!
Folding Or Rigging Knife
No matter what kind of boat you’re on, a good sharp blade is always good to have around. Cutting rope or knots, trimming nets, slicing lines and other necessary tasks require that you have a good folding or rigging knife that’s clean and sharp. Titanium and stainless steel knives are your best bet as they’re not going to corrode in damp conditions. A pair of stainless steel scissors will also serve you well.
Moisture Meter
Living on your boat full-time or spending a great deal of time on it means that you’re going to want to keep an eye on places where moisture can build up over time. Dampness sets the perfect stage for mold and mildew to fester, so use a moisture meter to keep accurate readings of how humid and damp your craft is so you can keep up on repairs
Sailor’s Multitool
You’ve no doubt seen a number of multitools on the market. Mariners benefit most from a tool that’s made specifically for boating, with a marlin spike, a rope cutter, a can and bottle opener, a small blade, a hex-nut wrench, a zipper pull and a paint scraper. You could find this tool in the form of a fold-up device similar to a Swiss army knife, or it might be flat like a credit card. Get a multitool that packs on the most features possible for how much you’re spending so you can get your money’s worth out of it.
Remember, if you need professional boat service or repair, you’ll want to contact our Osage Beach dealership to get in touch with our seasoned boat mechanics, who can help get your craft back into peak condition! If you’re in the market for a new or used boat, pay our showroom a visit and let our staff show you our current inventory. Kelly’s Port proudly serves Lake of the Ozarks, MO, as well as the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan regions.