Engine Spares to carry on board.

graham

graham

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We are weekend summer holiday type sailors with a 26 foot boat with a 20 hp beta marine engine.
I like to be self sufficient and would kick myself to lose the use of the main engine for want of something easy to fit at sea.

At the moment we have the following spares'
Primary fuel filter
Engine fuel filter
alternator / pump belt
Pump impeller
5litres engine oil
Half litre gearbox oil
sterntube grease
Engine manual
Variety of tools.

Can anyone think of any thing else worth carrying aboard?
 
I have a good stock of spare filters as I tend to buy a few together when I see them at a good price . Its not bad idea to have more than one primary fuel filter.
For impellers and belts I have spares that are removed items but still satisfactory in an emergency.


One of the things I am never without is Contact cleaner
https://www.therange.co.uk/leisure/...nd-polishes/wd-40-specialist-contact-cleaner/


Also a selection of electrical connectors - I like wago connectors
https://cpc.farnell.com/wago/221-413/compact-lever-connector-3-way/dp/CN20136?st=connector
 
Some fuel lift pumps have a little bolt in the top to allow access to the built- in filter. There is either a fibre or copper washer under the bolt head which if damaged or lost lets air into the fuel line. Spares for the washer are a good thing - a fellow club member needed towing by the RNLI at night in foul weather because he didn't have one.
Because he told me about his problem, I realised my pump is the same so got some spares, and needed one the very next time I went out.
 
Forgot to mention we have a multi meter spare bits of cable and odd crimp on connectors aboard.Contact spray is one to add to our list.
 
Thinking about it further, spares for any fasteners liable to be dropped into the bilge when fiddling with the engine are a good move. A selection box of nuts and washers from say M4 to M12 assuming a metric engine.
Also self-amalgamating tape and some jubilee-type clamps
 
You've covered most of what you vould expext to use or fix while at sea or otherwise away from easy access to parts. My engine spares wish list is long and mostly unaffordable to me. The spares that I've actually needed in the last 8 years on my current 10m sailing cruiser are:
Four of each of belt if your engine is anything like my Yanmar. Slightest bit of rust on the pulleys and it goes through belts alarmingly. Oh, and emery paper to derust the belts more frequently than I do. ☺️
I also keep a bag of the appropriate spanners and screwdrivers next to the engine to make tightening belts, bleeding fuel lines etc a bit faster at sea.
Thermostat.
Heatshrink crimp terminals, battery terminals, fuses and indicator lamps. My engine is 20 years old and the wiring is suffering more than any other part of the engine.
I went through three starter motors in as many years so now keep a spare on board. I think that was just a run of bad luck though.
Air filter. Not usually needed outside of the regular replacement schedule but I've had seawater in the engine twice, with the horrible experience of it coming out of the air filter, and a clean, dry replacement was a boon.
A good lamp that illuminates the engine really well. Not a spare part, I know. But one of the greatest aids to both repair and spotting things before they go badly wrong.
My wishlist includes a spare fuel lift pump, water pump and alternator. But cost precludes carrying them as spares for now.
 
graham said:
We are weekend summer holiday type sailors with a 26 foot boat with a 20 hp beta marine engine.
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If you just do UK coastal sailing then an alternator belt, raw water impeller & some engine oil are all you really need as spare engine parts.
Other general bits and bobs should include a few ss nuts & bolts of various sizes, self amalgamating & electrical tape, wire, jubilee clips, spade connectors & multimeter if you know how to use them, plus various types of grease
As for filters, if you are thinking in case of diesel bug, forget it unless you have an alternate fuel source, otherwise normal filter and oil change is a planned event, not done when you are out for a w/e's sailing.
 
Good list but I would carry more primary fuel filters and two Impellers - from my experience - I used my spare on my summer cruise last year so had to get another from the next marina in Holland. I also have a couple of old ones which could be used in an emergency. I also have a selection of hose clips, wire, spare belts etc.
 
LadyInBed said:
As for filters, if you are thinking in case of diesel bug, forget it unless you have an alternate fuel source, otherwise normal filter and oil change is a planned event, not done when you are out for a w/e's sailing.
Click to expand...

Have to disagree with you there. I've had to change filter (during a weekend trip) due to bug clogging, no alternative fuel source. Change of filter did the trick. Later drained and checked tank, but I didn't have an ongoing problem.
 
Perhaps it's been mentioned already, but I can't find it: Oil filter.
Also, if you need to take the tube stack out in search for impeller parts: End cap O-rings, as the ones in place can be difficult to remove unharmed.
 
LittleSister said:
Have to disagree with you there. I've had to change filter (during a weekend trip) due to bug clogging, no alternative fuel source. Change of filter did the trick. Later drained and checked tank, but I didn't have an ongoing problem.
Click to expand...
It's interesting how different experiences influence us.
In 16 years with my previous boat including two circular trips round the french canals on engine and 20 years with current boat including running low on fuel a couple of times and once having to motor all the way across Biscay I have never had to do an unplanned filter change. Having said that, I do carry filters as I do longer passages. I also carry a spare raw water pump, exhaust elbow and hose as I had the pump spring a leak on the first day of a Biscay crossing causing the belt to slip, causing the engine to overheat, causing the exhaust hose to blow!
I have also had an alternator pack up on me crossing Biscay which I didn't notice that for several days due to having adequate solar, so I don't carry a spare alternator ;)
 
Apart from engine spares, it's a good idea to carry a spare pump for the heads. If a problem is encountered simply remove the pump, double-bag it and stow for later remediation, and fit the spare one.
You can clean and overhaul the original pump when in port and carry as a spare.
 
Spirit (of Glenans) said:
Apart from engine spares, it's a good idea to carry a spare pump for the heads. If a problem is encountered simply remove the pump, double-bag it and stow for later remediation, and fit the spare one.
You can clean and overhaul the original pump when in port and carry as a spare.
Click to expand...

Our solution is simpler and looks an awful lot like a bucket ...
 
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