With a roll of tape and a little ingenuity, it's possible to repair even the most seriously damaged canoe. Or canoe paddle. Or fishing rod. Or ax handle, tent, sleeping bag, rain jacket, backpack, and hiking boot. The stuff seems to stick to anything.
Carpenters patch their leather nail aprons with it.
Roofers use it to bind knee pads to their jeans. Years ago I used it to keep the muffler attached to my old Buick Special, in spite of the tape's tendency to smoke and stink when heated. It also kept a brake-light cover in place and the cracked sideview mirror from falling out of its frame. Without duct tape I would have floundered years ago. I consider it as essential to a successful outdoor expedition as a pocket knife and matches.