And in the unlikely event that you do damage your boat from a close encounter with a rock, a duct tape patch will get you back home. (A friend hit a rock in my Arctic Tern while we were on a river trip, poking a hole in the cockpit. With duct tape to the rescue, we continued for three more days and 60 more miles with no further problems. In my friend's defense-- we were shooting a short rapid and the rock was in the middle, unseen right beneath the surface. thunk!) Carry a decently sized roll of the good stuff in your repair/first aid kit, try to avoid the pointy rocks -- and don't worry..... (duct tape is also good for doing some emergency repairs on humans--(splints, knee, ankle braces, etc.) in which case, it is best not to apply directly to bare skin, for ease of removal later.

When we got home, I pulled off the duct tape patch (for best results, apply duct tape to both sides of the hull), let the hull dry, then sanded & patched it up. No problem. The friendship is intact as well.

Duct tape -- I don't leave home without it!

Julie Kanarr