Issue 120: May/June 2018
Extend cell-phone range
On much of the inland lake I sail, the cellular signal is often weak. WeBoost Drive Sleek, a cellular signal booster, promised to solve this problem. After setting everything up, I sailed to an area where I’ve had reception problems. Prior to turning on the signal booster, I had a weak 3G signal (2 bars), occasionally degrading to 1 bar. Within 15 seconds of my turning on the booster, the signal improved to 3 bars of 4G LTE, a significant improvement. I did not remove the aftermarket case on my cell phone for this test.
The system has four components: outside antenna, 12-volt power supply, booster module, and cradle. Setup involves five easy steps and I had everything up and working in just a few minutes. The long wire run on each component is helpful and adds flexibility. The device is compatible with any network or carrier.
I called the weBoost support line and was speaking with a support technician in less than a minute. I emailed a question and received a reply within 90 minutes.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires cellular providers to report the number of boosters on their networks. Accordingly, phone companies require that customers register boosters before using them. The two providers I checked both offer easy online registration.
WeBoost Drive Sleek is available online and at most big-box stores. For more information: weboost.com. —Jerry Thompson, Good Old Boat contributor
Eliminate gelcoat stains
I’ve used Davis FSR Fiberglass Stain Remover since 1994 to clean rust and other stains off every boat I’ve owned and it works like magic. I simply “paint” the gel onto stainless steel, gelcoat, or painted surfaces, wait several minutes, and rinse it away. For bad stains I’ve sometimes had to repeat the treatment.
The active ingredient is oxalic acid and the instructions say to shake the product first. This is counterintuitive because FSR is a gel, but it shakes well.
One caveat: in my experience, on surfaces painted with one- or two-part polyurethane (I’m thinking primarily of non-skid decks I’ve painted), FSR removes the pigment and leaves behind a white-painted surface that is otherwise undamaged.
FSR is available from Hamilton, Defender, Fisheries Supply, West Marine, and other chandlers. For more information: www.davisnet.com/product/fsr. —Michael Robertson, Good Old Boat editor
Banish mosquitoes
After many frustrating failed attempts to find mosquitoes, including attending a ballet on a grassy field under the stars, we later went to see, of all things, the movie Wonder Woman at the same outdoor venue. As the protagonist made her appearance, so did lots of blood-sucking mosquitoes. I promptly turned on the Thermacell Halo Mosquito Repeller and away they went! Nobody within about 15 feet of me was getting bitten. As Wonder Woman fought her battles, word quietly spread among the moviegoers and my circle of friends grew.
Anchored in a still, mosquito-infested anchorage with this repeller, I’d be enjoying sundowners in the cockpit instead of cowering below in a screened-off cabin.
The device ignites butane cartridges and the heat disperses allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural repellent found in chrysanthemum plants, from a repellent-soaked mat. The Halo is available online and at most big-box stores. For more information: www.thermacell.com. —Ed Zacko, Good Old Boat contributing editor
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
