Cheap Tools Are Fine!

and nothing’s easier for gift givers, or Santa Claus, to find and wrap than a book. And what better way to survive Old Man Winter than by settling near the fire with a warming libation, a loyal dog, and a nice boating book to remind you of summer days to come? Tools also make great Christmas gifts, but don’t ask for top-dollar brands. Cheap tools are just fine for carrying onboard, and you won’t feel so bad when you drop a screwdriver overboard or lose a socket in the bilge. (I speak from experience.) Invest in one of the many inexpensive tool kits on the market—not only will you get most of the wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc., that you need, but they’ll come in a handy carrying case, too.

For example, West Marine sells the Shipyard Tool Kit for $80—I have pliers that cost more than that. It includes 133 carbon-steel tools in a molded-plastic carrying case. There are both SAE and metric sockets in

and ¼-inch drive, with a ratchet handle and extension; 10 combination wrenches; a magnetic bit driver with 50 bits (so maybe the bits won’t fall out and vanish under the engine); SAE and metric hex keys; a couple of screwdrivers (both slotted and Phillips); slip-joint pliers and an adjustable wrench; and a wire stripper/crimper and 40 terminals. Hey, West Marine says there’s a lifetime warranty, too.

Some reviewers say the sockets in such kits aren’t deep enough for all jobs, or the tools rust, or they’re hard to get out of the plastic case, and so on. Come on, folks— you’re spending 80 bucks, less than the cost of an hour of boatyard labor, or 20 gallons of fuel. If the stuff rusts, buy new stuff next year; if you need deep-wall sockets, the hardware store’s full of them. Otherwise, just use those totally inexpensive but totally useful tools and don’t worry if one gets donated to Davy Jones. In my opinion, when it comes to seafaring, cheap tools are fine.