Issue 121: July/Aug 2018
StopGull bird deterrents
Our berth is near a clump of trees where starlings and blackbirds roost. They do their dirty work all over nearby boats; I jumped at the chance to test three StopGull products designed to deter birds.
StopGull Air is a pair of wind-driven arms that span 6 feet and rotate in the horizontal plane to keep birds from landing on open areas, such as dinghies, cockpits, and booms. Eight different mounting adapters are included. I used strap-on mounts to position a StopGull Air on each of my two staysail booms.
StopGull Bimini Sailboat is a row of 12 plastic candelabra-like rotating pods on a canvas backing material. I strapped a set to each of my davit arms, a favorite perch from where I recently had to shoo away a pelican who really knows how to poop! I could mount this on a rail or even on spreaders.
StopGull Keeper is an adaptation of the homemade “spiky things” sailors install on mastheads and radars. The Keeper has a rotating base hub into which rods are inserted, projecting in different directions. Unlike the Air, the Keeper must be glued permanently in place.
All three products appear well made and kept birds away, though I would need several more to protect the entire 45-foot-long boat. Pop-rivets and Allen keys were included as needed for assembly. Visit stopgull.com for product information and online retailers to purchase. — Roger Hughes, Good Old Boat contributor
Kuled motion-sensing light
The Kuled K8116 Motion-Sensor LED Light is a bright low-cost motion-sensing light that automatically shuts off 15 seconds after the last motion is detected. Powered by four AAA batteries, it comes with 3M 300LSE heavy-duty double-sided tape with a magnetic strip on one side to which the light attaches and detaches readily, facilitating battery changes. The housing is made of aluminum and plastic.
I used blue masking tape to temporarily mount lights where I thought they’d work. Once satisfied with their placement, I removed the blue tape and stuck the magnetic strip in place. I mounted one light to the top of an under-bench storage area, then repeatedly pounded my boat over motorboat wakes. It held fast. According to the manufacturer, the life expectancy of the light is 50,000 hours and more than 25,000 on/off cycles.
The light is available from Amazon and kuled.com. — Jerry Thompson, Good Old Boat contributor
Motion-sickness relief
Sailing and reading in the car are two activities guaranteed to make me nauseated. I recently wore a Reliefband during a rough-water sail and stayed below watching a movie, perfectly comfortable. I dared a friend who gets sick every time she sails to try Reliefband. She did not get sick. I have since used the updated Reliefband 2.0 with similar results.
Reliefband is FDA-approved for nausea and vomiting associated with motion and morning sickness and chemotherapy. Unlike drugs, there is no need to use it prior to feeling sick; simply turn it on when you do feel sick. It electrically stimulates a point on your wrist.
Reliefband can be purchased at some major chandlers and online. Visit reliefband.com for more information. — Carol Severson, Good Old Boat contributor
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
