SEALUX MARINE
PRODUCTS
STAINLESS-STEEL PROPELLER WRENCH
$18.95; AMAZON.COM
This hefty tool is stamped from^1 / 8 -inch-thick
stainless steel. The handle is contoured for a
secure grip while working around sharp prop
blades, and it fi ts the most commonly used
11 / 16 -inch prop nut. It has a lock tab tool on
the other end to pry up spider washer lock
tabs and also a garboard-drain-plug socket
in the handle. It is the ideal tool to leave in
the boat.
MULTIPURPOSE: It replaces a socket or
end wrench for the prop nut and bilge plug
and works to pry up the lock tab.
ADVANTAGES: It has a nice heft, is bal-
anced, and its pebbled surface provides a
good grip in the hand.
DISADVANTAGES: We were surprised the
manufacturer didn’t stamp a screwdriver or
a pry blade in one end for deck plates.
TOOLS ON BOARD: 3 (prop-nut box
wrench, garboard-plug wrench and locknut
pry hook)
SEA DOG
PLUGMATE
GARBOARD WRENCH
$9.25; SEA-DOG.COM
Stow your drain plug in the thread-
ed end of this rustproof polypro-
pylene multitool. It comes com-
plete with a spare plug, stowed
in the threaded socket in the
handle. It fi ts both the standard(^1) / 2 -inch plug and the T-handle
plug. There are three blades for
prying deck-plate lids or for slot-
ted fuel, water- or waste-tank
caps. The fi nal onboard gadget
is the two-pin deck-plate wrench.
MULTIPURPOSE: It replaces
a bilge plug, wrench and most
deck-plate keys.
ADVANTAGES: It’s corrosion-
resistant and gives added lever-
age for stubborn garboard plugs
or for deck plates.
DISADVANTAGES: It is about
the same size as an end wrench
but can’t be used as such on
other^1 / 2 -inch bolts or nuts.
TOOLS ON BOARD: 7
(garboard-plug wrench,
garboard T-plug wrench, deck-
plate key, fuel-water-cap key,
garboard-plug holder,
garboard plug, shackle-pin key)
PHOTOS: ZACH STOVALL
SEE MORE BOATINGLAB TESTS AT BOATINGMAG.COM.
CUDA
MARLINSPIKE FOLDING KNIFE
$34.49;CUDABRAND.COM
A rigging knife like this titanium-bonded
model proves invaluable when working
with line. The marlinspike makes free-
ing jammed knots a cinch (see what we
did there?) and is essential when used
as a handle for tying knots more tightly
than could be done barehanded. The
blade’s serrated section cuts through
sun-hardened line, while the plain-
edged section is for fi ne work. The blunt
“sheep’s foot” tip prevents accidental
poking aboard a rocking boat. The blade
and marlinspike both lock.
MULTIPURPOSE: Works on tough and
fi ne cutting jobs and knot work; spike
can be inserted into a shackle-pin hole
and used as a wrench.
ADVANTAGES: The blunt “sheep’s
foot” tip prevents accidental poking
aboard a rocking boat; locks for safety;
corrosion-resistant; Cuda-scale grip.
DISADVANTAGES: Needs a hole to
which a lanyard can be tied.