What do you do if you hole the bow of your boat on floating debris or run her aground? I carry a tarp rigged for emergency deployment outside of the hull to act as a seal. It is a two-person application. Accordion-fold the tarp, with lines attached to the "bow end," plus longer lines as well as lead weights attached to the corners on the "stern end" to help the tarp clear the hull. Secure the bow end to your forward rails, and drop it over the bow. Crewmembers each take a stern-end line and walk aft on opposite sides of the boat, drawing the tarp under the boat and over the damage. Pull it up tight, and tie it off. The water pressure will push the tarp into the hole and stop or reduce the flow. If the hole is large, you will need to relieve the strain on the tarp from inside to prevent a blow-through.

– Craig Gourley