Welcome back to another installment of Dock Box, the recurring series where The Log dives into the must-have gear that every boater should keep tucked away in their dock box or onboard. Whether you’re an offshore angler, a weekend cruiser, or the type of boater who likes to be prepared for anything, today’s lineup is all about strength, safety, and emergency repairs. We’re talking about tuna cord, an emergency boat plug, and rescue tape — three products that should be on every boater’s radar.
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Tuna Cord — The Strongest Cordage You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’ve spent any time on a serious fishing boat, you’ve probably seen a spool of tuna cord (formally known as seine twine) somewhere in the rigging station. This heavy-duty, waxed rigging twine is the unsung hero of offshore fishing and boat maintenance. Designed to withstand the extreme forces of big-game fishing, tuna cord is used for tying, securing, and rigging gear in ways that regular fishing line or standard twine simply can’t match. Tuna cord came from seiner boats, which use “seine twine,” a specialized type of strong, durable rope or cord used to construct the large fishing net, called a “seine,” that the boat deploys to catch fish by encircling a school; essentially, the seine twine is the primary material making up the seine net used by a seiner boat to capture fish.
Anglers use tuna cord for loop-to-loop connections, securing assist hooks, and rigging bait like flying fish and mackerel onto trolling hooks. It’s also commonly wrapped around rod butts, reel seats, and gaff handles to provide an extra grip. Beyond fishing, tuna cord is ideal for securing deck gear, reinforcing knots, and even making quick fixes on outriggers, fenders, and dock lines. Think of it as the duct tape of rigging — if it can’t be lashed down with tuna cord, it probably can’t be secured at all.
Several companies manufacture tuna cord, and the differences lie mostly in wax coating, strength, and ease of handling. Diamond Fishing Products offers a high-quality waxed cord that holds knots exceptionally well and resists fraying in saltwater. ULINE’s solid braided nylon rope is another favorite, known for its slightly smoother finish, making it easier to handle with gloves. If you’re looking for something ultra-durable, Catahoula Manufacturing tuna cord is a top-tier option that holds up even in the toughest offshore conditions.
Regardless of the brand, having a spool of nylon seine twine on board means you’re ready to MacGyver your way through a broken rig, a missing leader, or an impromptu gear repair. Trust us — once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever fished without it.
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Emergency Plug – The Plug You Hope You’ll Never Need
When it comes to emergency preparedness, few tools are as simple yet essential as the Forespar StaPlug. This soft foam, cone-shaped emergency boat plug is designed to seal leaks in your boat’s hull, through-hull fittings, or plumbing systems. Unlike the old-school wooden plugs that require precise sizing, the StaPlug’s compressible foam expands to conform to irregular holes, making it far more versatile in an emergency.
Picture this: You’re out on the water, and suddenly, a hose pops off your bilge pump or a through-hull fitting cracks. Water is coming in fast, and you don’t have time to fumble around with a wooden plug that may or may not fit. That’s where the StaPlug shines. You just push it into the hole, and the foam naturally expands to create a watertight seal. No tools, no cutting, no measuring—just instant leak control until you can get back to shore for a permanent fix.
Forespar’s StaPlug is one of the best-known foam plugs on the market, but there are other alternatives. TruPlug offers a similar soft foam design with a bit more flexibility, making it easier to stuff into oddly shaped gaps. Seachoice Emergency Plugs also provide a comparable solution, though some boaters prefer the StaPlug’s more durable foam material, which holds up better in high-pressure leaks.
Regardless of which brand you choose, it’s critical to store these emergency plugs in key areas of your boat. Keep one near every through-hull fitting, in your bilge compartment, and within easy reach of the engine room. When water is rushing in, seconds matter, and having a StaPlug on hand can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major disaster.
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Rescue tape — The Tape That Seals, Bonds, and Saves the Day
If you don’t already have rescue tape in your dock box, consider this your wake-up call. This self-fusing silicone repair tape is one of the most versatile emergency fixes a boater can carry. Unlike traditional duct tape or electrical tape, rescue tape contains no adhesive — instead, it bonds to itself when stretched and wrapped around an object, creating a watertight, airtight, and heat-resistant seal.
One of the best uses for rescue tape is emergency hose repairs. If a coolant hose, fuel line, or bilge pump hose springs a leak, you can wrap rescue tape around it to stop the leak instantly. It’s heat-resistant up to 500°F, so it’s even effective for sealing hot engine components or wrapping exhaust pipes.
Electrical repairs are another area where rescue tape outperforms traditional solutions. It’s rated for up to 8,000 volts, making it perfect for insulating exposed wires, sealing corroded electrical connections, or even waterproofing frayed cables. If you’ve ever had an issue with corroded wiring in your nav lights, fishfinder, or bilge pump, this tape could save you from electrical failure at sea.
Rescue tape is sold by several brands, but one of the most well-known is the Silicone Self-Fusing Tape from ULINE, which offers a strong bond and excellent durability in marine environments. Other brands like X-Treme Tape and Permatex also provide high-quality silicone repair tape with similar self-fusing properties. Some tapes are thicker and stronger, while others are more flexible, so choosing the right one depends on your needs. If you’re wrapping high-pressure hoses or exhaust components, a thicker, heat-resistant version is best. If you’re using it for general waterproofing or electrical repairs, a slightly thinner, more flexible version might be easier with which to work.
Whichever brand you use, store a roll of rescue tape in your engine room, emergency tool kit, and anywhere you keep spare hoses and wiring. It takes up virtually no space, but it can be a lifesaver when things go wrong on the water.
From rigging gamefish leaders with tuna cord to sealing a hull breach with a StaPlug or patching a leaking fuel line with rescue tape, today’s featured products highlight the importance of being prepared. You never know what kind of problem will pop up when you’re miles offshore or cruising unfamiliar waters, but having the right gear in your dock box can make all the difference.
Boating is all about adventure, relaxation, and enjoying the open water, but being a smart, prepared boater means thinking ahead. Next time you’re stocking up on boat supplies, grab a spool of tuna cord, stash a few emergency plugs onboard, and throw in a roll of rescue tape. It might just be the smartest move you make this season.
Until next time, stay safe, stay prepared, and keep your dock box stocked with the best tools for the job!
