Dueling Tips

Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, FL
34 42.54 N 081 05.58 W


p.s. Someone spotted a salt water crocodile here in Boot Key Harbor.  Just a little one though.  However, Jenny said, "Yeah, but it's mama is probably near by."


Reader Mike sent the following note. 


Hey Dick, 


Thanks for some great posts. The info on the icw IS GREAT! You should publish a guide. I was thinking about a post you made with mention of some kind of expensive tape stuff for small hole patching. Here's mine..bicycle innertube...yup cheap..very available and i have used it many many times to patch a leak in all kinds of situations. 

Simply carry an old tube in the tool box along with hose clamps and zip ties. The tube can be eaisly cut  to different widths and lengths. The tube makes a great water tight seal on most types of plumbing or fuel lines. Secure with a hose clamp,zip tie,or even twist on some wire. Cheap,quick, and easy. The best part is, it lasts a long long time, until you get a chance to replace the damaged hose. So  there ya go..yet another usefull tip to add to you collection.

Thanks MIke.  I hadn't heard that tip.  Makes sense.  I'll add an old inner tube to my parts bin.   However, I checked again about that expensive tape I mentioned.  It is called rescue tape.   It is very expensive ($12 per square foot), but it does a lot of things that an inner tube can't do.  Below is some manufacturer's claims that I copied from their web site.                                    

Rescue Tape . . 


• Is Self-Fusing!
• Incredible 950 PSI Tensile Strength!
• Insulates 8,000 Volts per layer!
• Withstands 500° F Degrees of heat!
• Remains flexible to -85° F! (-60° C)
• Creates a Permanent Air-Tight, Water-Tight Seal in seconds
• Has an unbelievably long shelf life!
• Resists Fuels, Oils, Acids, Solvents, Salt Water, Road Salt, UV Rays
• Use it as an emergency fan belt!
• Make emergency O-Rings
• Wrap hydraulic fittings and other exposed metal connections to help prevent corrosion
• Works even over wet, dirty, or oily surfaces!
• Use it as a tourniquet or emergency wrap over bleeding injuries

It really is pretty remarkable stuff.  I say keep both an inner tube and some rescue tape on board.