Gear
What to bring
Short, specific lists. Every item exists because it finds a particular expensive problem, and we say which ones to borrow rather than buy.
At sea
What to bring to a boat inspection
The whole kit fits in one tote bag and costs less than an hour of a yard's labor rate. Every item here exists because it finds a specific, expensive p
On land
What to bring to a used car inspection
Rust, accident repair and a tired engine all leave evidence that a walkaround in a parking lot will not show you. This is the bag that finds them.
In the air
What to bring to an aircraft pre-buy
A pre-buy inspection is signed off by an A&P, not by you. What you bring decides whether you walk in knowing which questions to make them answer.
At sea
The consumables an old boat eats
Nothing on this list is optional and nothing on it is expensive. Buy them before the season, not during a haulout when you are paying yard rates.
How this page is paid for. Some links below are affiliate links: if you buy through one, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change the price you pay and it does not decide what is on this list. Every item here is here because it finds a specific problem, and several of the most useful things in the kit (a chalk stick, an awl, a mirror) earn us nothing at all.