If you’re a boater who doesn’t care about aesthetics, a touch of tape or a dab of glue might work for the summer. However, if it didn’t affect safety or seaworthiness, the rip or nick getting taped or glued may fall off your to-do list, letting the elements back in and hastening damage. Before boating season begins, make a durable repair or replace the “quick fixes” from the season before.

Tape or glue won’t do when the issues are structural, mechanical, and/or electrical. Perils such as a seacock failure, a non-functioning bilge pump, or a soft spot in the deck pose safety risks and/or threaten your vessel’s seaworthiness. Even if the boat isn’t about to sink, it’s better to end your day and address any electrical or mechanical situations immediately. Left unattended, small problems rapidly become bigger ones.

A word to the wise: if your explanation about why you didn’t quickly address the problem would sound foolish to your insurance adjuster, mechanic, lender, or spouse, don’t tape and forget it. Take the proper action promptly.