Matt,
I'm sure the collective intelligence and wit on this forum will be able to supply plenty of explanations for why you are carrying a coil of rope and roll of duct tape in your carry-on.

A number of years ago, long before 9-11, an older gentleman was flying down to attend one of our Laser seminars. He was going to charter a boat at the site, but (as is common) brought his own tiller/hiking stick and wanted to carry it on with him so it would not get damaged. It was disallowed because it looked like a potential weapon.

Later it occurred to me that he should have disguised it as a cane and affected a limp. Then he could have been in the early boarding group, too.