recped wrote:
I don't paddle a stripper.....but.
Like Recped I don’t paddle a stripper, but on long trips or group trips I carry an extensive “Spares and Repairs” kit.
The “Spares” part is stuff like a large garbage bag, Zip-lock bag, lighter, candle, fire starter, bit surveyor’s ribbon. Even a spare whistle and photocopy of my driver’s license & insurance info. Small, lightweight flat stuff, and I’ve frequently used the first few of those items on a trip, especially with friends.
The “Repairs” parts are more extensive, and some not as frequently (or ever) used. Things I have not used but still carry in that kit:
Half a hacksaw blade, one end with a duct tape handle, wrapped in a cardboard sheath. Hard to cut anything metal with a Swiss Army knife saw.
Some wire, both stainless steel and braided, and cable crimps. For lacing a broken sheerline back together, or fixing broken rudder cables in a decked boat. I’m still waiting for the first time I encounter a sea kayaker with a broken rudder cable, hoping I remember to bellow “BOW TO THE LORD OF FIELD REPAIRS” when I produce the parts needed.
Piece of sandpaper, fiberglass “tape”, glass screen, two-part epoxy syringe and piece of peel ply. Other minor things like some wax paper and aluminum foil.
The “repair” things I have used occasionally, or often:
Needle & thread. Some 1” webbing and a 1” side release buckle. Parachute cord, cord lock, cable ties. Therma-rest repair kit and a bit of Tenacious tape. Superglue, mostly for busted fingernails.
3/16” stainless steel machine screw with nuts and washers, passed through a drilled dowel seat drop. I have used the machine screw, nuts and washers a couple times, and the dowel seat drop once. A friend snapped a machine screw on his seat and lost the drop when he went over; his delight when I pulled the needed parts from the Spares and Repairs bag made carrying that item ever worthwhile.
Duct tape of course. Some 2” Gorilla tape and some 1” Gorilla tape, re-spooled on a skinnier center. Actually the dowel seat drop has duct tape spooled around it, as does one canteen for easy everyday access.
A nail, thinking I could heat it up, hold it with the Leatherman pliers and melt repair holes in an RX hull before wiring a split back together and covering it with duct tape. Never had to do that (knock wood), but I have used up several nails replacing broken pop rivets in the front leg X of cheap folding camp chairs. Nail stuck through the vacant pop rivet hole, bent over and duct taped in place the chairs were good as new. Maybe better.
I go through that Spare and Repairs bag occasionally, rethinking the contents and (mostly) removing things. The teeny whetstone? Nice thought, never used in the field; I sharpen my blades at home.
And, today, adding things:
recped wrote:
mark m wrote:
What is dynel?
A fabric that is highly abrasion resistant.....
It's what the hip kids use for skid plates

Damn, at 64 I am finally one of the hip kids. Thanks Recped, I cut a piece of Dynel for the Spares & Repairs kit.