Oftentimes, you'll find that the rubber gaskets on bait coolers, freezers and various hatches deteriorate and stop working over time. After about the hundredth time someone slams a lid in the cockpit and the captain leans over the rail to give you the stink eye, remember this little tip to keep the bangs to a minimum — temporarily, at least.
Cut off a couple of rubber skirts from one of your high-dollar trolling lures languishing in the tackle drawer and glue them down in place of the old gasket. This remedy at least slows down the cold air leaking from your cooler or freezer and keeps the noise down when someone drops a lid. Once you get back to the dock, put a call in for a new gasket to fix the problem permanently — or at least until the new one wears out!
Walker Holcomb
Maitland, Florida
