Why Spare Parts?

[boughtabouy]

Here's why it's important to have spare parts onboard:

We planned to spend Thanksgiving day on the hook, cooking turkey and the works, when I tried out the generator before we left the slip. LOC! checked the strainer - Clean. Filled the tank - still LOC. Checked the impeller - FRIED. And, nobody open on Thanksgiving. So - stuck at the dock. The kicker, only 27.5 hours on the Gennie. Who would've thought!

Now I understand why!

Kevin

 

[northern]

On one of our trips we met an elderly couple 80+ who had a 65 foot tug. I asked what he carred for spare parts and he showed me his cell phone. Depends on how much time you have and where you are going.

 

[Sum Escape]

The "rule" is replace gennie impeller once per year, no matter how many hours. It's age that gets them. 30 minutes well spent. And yes, always carry a spare! The school of hard knocks always gives the best lessons....

 

[Presentation]

3 key benefits to carrying onboard basic repair parts, tooling and having the knowledge to do the repair:


- Cost of time or money. Reduce down time during our short season with limited time to use the boat. Nothing breaks on a Wednesday when we are working; things break as they are being used, normally not right as you are ready to go home.

- Safety. Some basic frequent checks or emergency repairs are critical for safety. Do you carry bungs (plugs), have them at the ready and have a basic idea how you would use them in a variety of situations? This also includes things like having spare navigation light bulbs and a screwdriver to change them and the very basic mechanical knowhow to change them and your dedication to safety that includes checking that the navigation lights are in working order each evening that you are night boating.

- Improve your seamanship skills.

I prefer to have the basic frequent type repairs ready to be fixed by myself and carry the appropriate tools and parts onboard so I have less down time and don’t get in a situation where it’s a hot night away from the dock without a generator to run the air conditioning or have a non-flushing toilet or broken serpentine belt or a fluid top off need or burnt out light bulb, broken hose clamp, loose screw on something or other things that often happen.
Some things are beyond my ability, tooling and onboard parts list but I think I have the common stuff covered.

For what it’s worth, I carry 2 spare generator impellers onboard and have 2 more at home. I also carry onboard a very stubby straight blade screwdriver that I found makes this generator impeller service a 5 minute job.

Now that I found impellers online for under $20 each and learned how to do it myself it’s really a no brainer.

 

[Redhook98]

I go a bit overboard with my spares. Not only do I have a full tool set with 500+ pieces, but also every conceivable gasket, impeller, belt, caps, rotors, wires, plugs, etc etc. I also carry a generous supply of sealants, epoxies, snaps, tape, etc etc. You name it, and if it can break, I probably have it on board. That being said though, I have never needed any of it. Lol! Most of any known issues are taken care of before I leave the dock.

 

[Presentation]

.... That being said though, I have never needed any of it. Lol! .....

Are you sure?

Is it possible you simply are not counting some stuff?

Just one example, do your light bulbs never go out?

Just from memory, over the 2010 summer I had a IAC go bad, a serpentine belt break, multiple light bulbs go out, multiple little things that simply needed tightening, all away from the dock and all handled with onboard spares and onboard tooling.

 

[Redhook98]

Actually I am quite sure. I even keep a log of every little repair I do. Nothing has ever (knock on wood) come up while actually away from the dock. I do believe in being prepared though and will not move my spare to shore.

As I said before, I am very anal about repairs and maintenance. I spent 11 years in the Navy and know how important preventative maintenance is. I believe in fixing/replacing skeptical parts prior to them breaking and causing any down-time. So far, I have been successful in my 20+ years of boating.

 

[Presentation]

...... So far, I have been successful in my 20+ years of boating.

Preventative maintenance is a factor but you must also have incredible luck.

Per our marina manager I’m the most preventative maintenance DIY boater at our marina.

Just this Tuesday we stood by a brokered boat and discussed owner neglected issues on that specific boat.

You never have had a light bulb burn out in 20 years? I’m just in aw over that.

Do you change all your light bulbs frequently and before they go out?

Do you not boat after dusk?

 

[Redhook98]

If you'd like, we can go back and forth on this all day long. No, I have never had an issue while underway. Yes, I have had bulbs burn out, but were only noticed when I did my pre-checks before going out at night.

It could be luck, or it could be that all repairs that I have ever done I was able to do while at the dock. Not sure why you don't understand this or why it is that unusual? I put about 130 hours per year on my boats and use them all year round. I usually have a different boat about every 2 years (until recently). Maybe I do not give it time to break? Who knows.....

 

[Presentation]

Sorry I was not trying to argue or upset you.

I am amazed.

It’s not the first time. My wife never saw the movie airplane. Really!

 

[Redhook98]

Sorry I was not trying to argue or upset you.

I am amazed.

It’s not the first time. My wife never saw the movie airplane. Really!

No problem.

Never seen Airplane?! Wow! Now THAT is difficult to believe!! Lol!

Of course I never saw Godfather until I bought it on Bluray. Doh!