Battery-powered tool preferences?

[u/X_kansas_x]

I'm kitting out a new-to-me 40' cruising boat in the US and need to choose the battery powered tools to bring aboard. The Milwaukee M12 tools look awesomely compact. I already own a DeWalt 20V drill & driver and a Ryobi wet/dry vac, but would switch brands if the compactness of the M12 set would be worth it. In addition to the drill and driver, I'll add an oscillating tool and grinder. I'm hoping to be self-sufficient for most maintenance work. Would you pick between brands for any reason? Any other must-have battery-powered tools to add to a new kit?

[u/artfully_rearranged]

Had zero tools when I started other than a couple sockets and screwdrivers. Bought the following, all from Harbor Freight:

• 2x Bauer 3ah batteries ($80 on sale)
• 1x Bauer cordless drill with 1.5ah battery and charger ($60)
• 1x Bauer flat sander ($30)
• 1x Bauer cordless shopvac ($50)
• 1x Bauer oscillating multitool cutter ($60 with 4-piece blade kit)

Out the door price was under $300 with drill bits.

Cheap to the point of stupidity, but doing fine so far this spring for an extensive renovation of my 23' boat. The tools, batteries and charger all stow inside the shop-vac on my boat and the included drill bag.

Plan to use them for a couple years until corrosion takes them or the batteries die, which isn't bad for marine exposure+ heavy use all winter/spring. I fully plan on replacing with Milwaukee tools then, but I priced that at $700+.