We have a yacht repair company. here is what we like.
ANCOR WIRE STRIPPER, best tool in the bag. Strips 10 gauge wire and up to about gauge wire with speed and ease
KLEIN WIRE CRIMPERS, your butt connectors will be on tight, not like those cheapie pliers that come in the kits. The ratcheting pliers are nice but too hard to use in tight quarters, which is everywhere on a boat
SPRAY 9 CLEANER, Best all around cleaner ever. So strong that we cut it 50%. Cleans engines, decks, vinyl, clothes, bilges etc.
DAVIS FSR. Takes the brown hull stains off like magic. No rubbing! Works like the ads of 30 years ago where the housewife takes one swipe across the stove and it sparkles
FLUID FILM. Derusts and protects. Can be sprayed on electrics. engine mounts etc., Protects the engine area and other areas.
ANCOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. Don't use the cheap brands, these are worth the extra money!
JABSCO IMPELLER PULLERS. Makes changing the salt water impeller job much easier
CORKSCREW PACKING REMOVER TOOL. Not sure of the brand, but they are usually stocked next to the shaft packing. Looks like a miniature wine corkscrew. gets that packing out quick!
COSTCO's SOLAR LED FLASHLIGHTS. Bought 2 more tonight, about $22 pair. They are bright, a single charge lasts 5-10 hours, recharge in sun or incandescent lighting, water proof to 80 feet. NO MORE AA BATTERIES!
LIFELINE BATTERIES. Expensive but if you can afford, they are worth it. A step above the others and usually more "horsepower" than brand X
SENSIBULB LED's. Cost a lot but you get what you pay for. Most LED's are spots or make the saloon look like a lab with the white lights. These work.
CETOL WOOD PROTECTION. Stop being a slave to varnish. This product is easy to apply, no sanding between coats, three coats is max and requires yearly recoating which takes little time. (clear looks beter than original IMHO)
SEARS 12V TEST LIGHT. Sturdy, long self coiling cord, bulletproof. We can't break the damn thing, no matter how much we abuse it.
SEARS 19.2V DRILL. They are powerful, last a long time (but they do not survive drops from 50 foot mast or drops into 16 feet of salt water, as we have found out) these drills are very reasonably priced ($110? maybe less on sale or in a package) BUT the sears jig saw and angle drill which are part of the same series are horrible. poor designs.
YANMAR ENGINES. In the <100hp world, nothing evens comes close to a Yanmar. Nothing!
PB BLASTER PENETRANT . At a few bucks a can, this may be the best value in the toolbox. This stuff actually works to free up bolts. Like Liquid Wrench on steroids. Auto parts stores carry it as does some of the big hardware stores.
KYOCERA 130 SOLAR PANELS. Do these things EVER break??? have never had one come back, started using them 12 years ago.
ACETONE. I love that stuff. can't find it in Puerto vallarta where we now are. breaks my heart. Did not realize how good it was until I could not get it. Clean and dewax hulls with it, thin gel coat, clean greasy areas. (I have to settle for brake cleaner down here to do the job.
Thats my list of good stuff. Have serviced boats for 17 years, and now cruise part time. gary