Product of the Week: The wooden plug upgrade

5:33 AM Sat 21 Nov 2009 GMT

'TruPlug - does the same job, but does it better' .

Modern materials can make old solutions even better. Those wooden plugs** that serve to stem emergency leaks and can rescue a boat from sinking have done an excellent job for seafarers over the years, but now there's an upgrade.

It's called the TruPlug, and it is a soft, cone shaped plug designed to conform to the unpredictable shapes of most hull breaches. Whether it's a round hole caused by mechanical failure, or even possibly an elongated tear due to impact, TruPlug's shape adapts to the leak.

Unlike old fashioned wooden plugs, TruPlug's soft cone shape form allows it to be compressed by hand or cut to fit. It's proprietary foam formulation is specifically designed to fill irregular shapes, effectively reducing or eliminating most incoming water flows. Unlike hard plugs, TruPlugT can also be forced into hard-to-reach locations, yet still works to seal most seacocks, valves, thru hull fittings and hoses.

Tested for over a year in simulated and real life situations, TruPlugT has already been successfully used to stop emergency leaks by several west coast safety vessels. TruPlugT is an essential addition to any boat's safety resources (but is nevertheless not guaranteed to stop or slow ALL water leaks.)

TruPlug in action - .. .

TruPlugT was developed by Channel Islands yachtsman, Henry Goldman, as a modern alternative to emergency wooden plugs. Forespar has entered into a worldwide exclusive marine marketing agreement for TruPlug with Goldman's company, Artelier Studio LLC. Patents are pending in the United States and worldwide.

Forespar? itself is a well known boat hardware manufacturer in the United States.? Their background is extensive and they also make carbon fiber poles, boom furling systems, plumbing fittings and numerous other marine related products. This makes them an ideal partner for Goldman.

To find an outlet near you for the product, click here , and to go to the Forespar website for more information, click here .

**By the way, do YOU have plugs of the correct size, wooden or otherwise, tied on a lanyard beside or to reach EVERY through-hull skin fitting?

by Nancy Knudsen