The Mariner's Friend – Duct Tape
Duct tape isn't just for likes of MacGyver and Red Green
Boaters and outdoor enthusiasts can never get enough duct tape. A review of the more humorous and serious aspects of the sticky stuff.
I saw a quote at Live Sail Die the other day attributed to Tillerman at Proper Course, "Two rules get you through life: If it's stuck and it's not supposed to be, WD-40 it. If it's not stuck and it's supposed to be, duct tape it." Seeing this and then a quote from Oprah Winfrey in the same day made me put more thought into the importance of the "Mariner's Friend."
In Alaska, duct tape is part of the holy trinity. You can fix anything and find shelter in the worst storm with enough duct tape, WD-40 and blue tarps. There was a period where it seemed access to blue tarps and duct tape might be restricted. Several murder victims in different parts of the State were discovered shrouded in these materials.
A number of quotes have been made on the qualities and properties of duct tape. A couple of them include:
- Dave Barry - “Magnetism is one of the Six Fundamental Forces of the Universe, with the other five being Gravity, Duct Tape, Whining, Remote Control, and The Force That Pulls Dogs Toward The Groins Of Strangers.”
- Oprah Winfrey - "Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together."
- Red Green – "If you have duct tape and you need money, you're better off than if you have money and need duct tape."
- MacGyver – "If I had some duct tape, I could fix that."
Duct tape can serve many uses and purposes. A few examples are:
- Wrap a layer around a tapered plug to help it seal better
- Use a layer of tape to protect exposed threads from the elements
- Used with a piece of split hose to prevent chaffing
- Seal through-hull exhaust ports with duct tape for winter storage
- Place a piece of duct tape over the point where you intend to drill through thin Plexiglas or fiberglass surface to prevent splits or cracks.
Legends surrounding duct tape have arisen for a reason. The stuff can really get you out of a pinch. It should be in your vessel's damage control kit. Remember that the adhesive used in duct tape is difficult to remove and don't use it as a replacement for electrical tape. Keep in mind our motto at Suite101 is, "Duct Tape – The Mariner's Friend."
