Tools to Have for Boat Maintenance

Do-it-yourself boat maintenance allows you to extend the life of your vessel and reduce the amount of visits you'll make to the mechanic. We've gathered up the essential tools you'll need to take care of your boat below. If you have any questions or want to look at boats for sale, visit Polaris of Gainesville in Alachua, Florida. We proudly serve those in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine, Florida.

Battery Terminal Puller

At some point, you may need to work on your boat's battery. When that happens, it's important to avoid stripping the terminals. This damage can happen if you use the wrong tool to remove or install them. All you'll need is a battery terminal puller to get this job done. It'll provide the optimized amount of strength and precision so that you can loosen the terminal bolts quickly. They are an inexpensive tool for boat maintenance and a useful one to keep around.

Adjustable Face-Spanner Wrench

This tool is a much-needed alternative to using two screwdrivers to access your deck plates. A stainless-steel adjustable, face-spanner wrench can be a deck key, helping you access sea-strainer, fuel-fill, and water-fill caps. It'll be a useful tool when you work on your outboard motor as well.

Folding/Rigging Knife

You can always find a use for a sharp blade when working on a boat. Maybe you'll need to cut through rope. Maybe you need extra help undoing a tight knot. Maybe you'll need to trim nets. There are so many uses for a knife. The best materials to look for are stainless steel and titanium. These won't corrode and can last you many years. Pick up a high-quality rigging knife and a set of scissors to keep on deck. You can even look into models that float. If you accidentally drop your blade into the water, you'll be able to easily snatch it up rather than watch it sink to the bottom of the lake.

Jumper Cables

Jumper cables are helpful to keep on a boat just like they are helpful to keep on a car. There's always the risk that your boat battery dies on you. Jumper cables allow you to connect to an alternative battery or to another boat. Be sure to invest in a quality model. The cheap options tend to have stiff wires and may not be able to give you the power you need to get your boat's battery up and running.

A Sailor's Multitool

As the name implies, this multitool allows you to tackle a range of tasks with one nifty product. There are specialty ones made with boat maintenance in mind. These can include a marlin spike, rope cutter, can opener, small blade, hex-nut wrench, zipper pull, and paint scrapper. You can find durable stainless-steel models that will offer the durability you need to last many years.

A Moisture Meter

Boats can become damaged when too much moisture builds up. A moisture meter allows you to easily see where moisture might be building up and where leaks may be happening. You'll be able to use its digital reading of moisture levels to isolate the problem spots and get them repaired in no time.

We hope you found these tips helpful! For all your boating needs, visit Polaris of Gainesville in Alachua. We offer a wide range of boats for sale for all budgets. Let us know what your boating lifestyle is and what amenities you want and we will find models to match. We proudly serve those in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine, Florida. Stop by today!