Don't throw out any excess calico cut from the boat during construction, as this can be used to make patches should the skin be punctured or torn. Excess bitumen paint should also be kept for regular maintenance - bitumen paint will keep for a long time if stored correctly

To apply a patch, cut the calico to a size a couple of inches or so (approx 5cm) larger than the tear. Paint the affected area of the boat and the underside of the patch with bitumen paint. Place the patch over the affected area and paint over the patch with bitumen paint. Take care to remove any creases or air pockets before painting the top of the patch, as these may reduce the effectiveness of the patch

For quick, temporary repairs out on the water, keep a supply of waterproofing tape (Denso or Sylglas tape), disposable gloves, a sharp Stanley knife and a couple short lath offcuts as your puncture repair kit. Cut the tape to cover the puncture (use the offcut lath as a cutting board), firmly press onto the skin and leave a few minutes to adhere. Repair with a patch as above when you return home

There is not really a limit to the number of skin repairs that can be made, though when repairs start to fail or when you have a large number of repair patches across your coracle skin, this is probably when a new skin should be considered for your coracle

Broken laths are unlikely, but should they occur they should be attended to as quickly as possible to avoid punctures or tears to the skin. Slit the skin to access the lath and cut away any sharp edges. Cut a suitable length of new lath, soak in hot water (boiling, if possible) for 30 minutes. Affix to the outside of the broken lath, nailing through and clenching over on the inside of the boat. Repair the skin as above