Hi there, Chris with Perfect Catch Racing here. Today, we want to talk about the benefits of having spare parts inventory – hopefully in a way that won’t put you to sleep….
Spending hard-earned crew or personal dollars on spare parts can be such a drag. It’s like paying for home or auto insurance JUST IN CASE something happens. But if it does, you’re going to be really glad you have them. And we’ve all been there… broken skegs, missing nuts and bolts, wheels breaking in half, and bent backstays, it’s a race day nightmare!
Now, are we suggesting that you go out and buy one of every available spare part “just in case”? Absolutely not! But we do want to offer some insight on the basics of what we have found handy to keep close by for when equipment disaster strikes – from there, you can tailor additional spare parts inventory needs to your specific set up.
First: Take into consideration the age of your equipment. The older it is, the more spare parts you’re likely to need. We’ve all seen boats with various sizes of nuts and bolts, and let’s face it, that’s not fun when you’re trying to rig in a hurry.
Secondly: If you – like many out there – have multiple different brands of boats in your fleet, we would strongly encourage having a wider, more extensive spare parts inventory. Not all parts are interchangeable between brands, and there are very few things more frustrating than not having a part that works for a certain boat on a race day.
Which begs the question – What spare parts should you keep stocked for your fleet?
Assuming you’re dealing with just one brand, let’s say…Swift Racing (wink wink – we know, we know, shameless plug!), here are a few suggestions:
(1) complete stretcher board for each size of boat in your fleet (single, pair/double, four/quad, eight)
(1) complete steering stretcher board for each size of boat in your fleet (pair/double, quad) if your boats have foot steering
(1-2) pieces of stretcher pipe
(1-2) shoe plates in each size needed for your boats.
(4-6) saw tooth stretcher tracks
(2-4) saw tooth stretcher pipe inserts
(2) pairs of shoes in each size needed for your club OR a quantity equal to the number of spare shoe plates you have
(8) heel restraint cords
(2-4) shoe quick release cords
(1-2) single action seats for each size needed for your boats
(16) ball bearing wheels
(4-8) seat bungees of each size needed for your boats
(4-8) seat rails of each size needed for your boats
(2) rail stoppers for each end of the tracks
(2-4) small and (2-4) medium seat pads and seat pad straps. These are great for athletes with long legs and shorter torsos.
(2) sweep and (2) scull oar locks
At least (20) 7mm C shaped, (20) 5mm C shaped, and (10) 2mm O shaped oar lock spacers
(2) sweep and (2) scull rigger pins
(1) Rigger C bracket – if you have reverse wing riggers
(2) port and (2) starboard backstay long pipes for both sweep and scull – if your riggers have backstays
(2) backstay extenders for each bend angle needed.
(16) quick release rigger cams – if your boats have quick release rigger plates
(4-12) complete quick release cams – if your boats have quick release rigger platess leo.
(1) skeg for each size boat you have
(1) fin box
(1) rudder for each size boat you have
(10m) of rudder wire
(2) wire fasteners
(2) wooden rudder wire handles – for stern coxed boats only
(1) rudder lever – for bow coxed boats only
(16) 6x40mm coach bolts – if you have wing riggers made after May 2012 (6x45mm if older than May 2012)
(12-16) 5x10mm and (2-4) 6x25mm countersunk head screws
(4) 6x30mm, (4-8) 8x20mm (if you have reverse wing riggers), (4-8) 8x25mm (if you have stern wing riggers) hex head bolts
(16) 6x20mm pan head screws
(4) 5x25mm, (8) 6x30mm, and (4) 6x45mm t bolts
(20) 6mm and (20) 8mm flat washers
(10) 6mm and (10) 8mm lock washers
(20) 6mm and (20) 8mm hex nuts
(20) 6mm and (20) 8mm lock nuts
(8) 6mm nut knobs
(12) tube nuts
(8) 8mm nut caps
(8) 12mm dome nuts
(2) black hatch inner sections in each size needed for your boats
(2) bow balls
(2) bow number plate holders
(8) seat bungees in each size needed for your boats
(2) pieces of anti-slip tape
Small and medium size rack foam. This is great for protecting the bow and stern decks of small boats on the racks and on the trailer. We recommend 2 pieces for each single and 1 piece for each pair/double. Coastal boats should have 1 large piece for each boat.
Replacement canvas for your slings. We would suggest having 2 of each size. These do fit on some other brands of slings. Sling hardware kits and sling connectors are also available and easily replaceable.
Small slings for singles and pair/doubles or large slings for fours/quads and eights. The steel slings are heavier but help stop boats from flipping over in the wind. If you’re concerned about weight while carrying slings, buy aluminum. If you’re concerned about your boats while they’re in the slings, buy steel.
(8-12) 10mm gear wrench
(8-12) 10mm nut driver
(2-4) Swift 10-8-13 wrench. These are great for coaches to check boats because they have all sizes in one wrench!
(2-4) adjustable wrench
(2-4) metric tape measures
(3) straps per boat. Use small straps for all singes and pair/doubles or large straps for all fours, quads, eights, and coastal shells. Three straps are recommended per boat so you have two on the bow and one on the stern when trailering.
Also, when we talk about spare parts, we aren’t only thinking about the nuts and bolts. Here are a few other things that we keep well stocked, and that our team uses every day:
Spare parts can either be your best friend when you have them in stock or your worst enemy when you don’t. Just make sure to restock the parts you’ve used!
If you found this article helpful, give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @perfectcatchracing for more tips, tricks and videos.
See you on the water!
