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Nerf Balls
by Steve & Linda Dashew

Here's an idea that could save your day, courtesy of the US Coast Guard. When we visited with the crew at Noyo Harbor Station, part of the tour they gave us included some of the safety gear they carried on their motor life boats. The most interesting item was a shopping bag full of Nerf balls: Footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, etc.

They told us these tough foam rubber items are ideal for stopping major leaks.

Nerf balls come in a variety of sizes. The Coast Guardsmen at Noyo Harbor carry a bag of sizes and types on each of their boats.

The football shown below has been jammed between a beam and support post to demonstrate. For holes and cracks, they told us the Nerfs tend to stay in place without additional clamping.

And, if you have kids or grandkids on board, the Nerfs will do double duty. We've picked up a selection for Wind Horse.

Notice how this Nerf football works its way around the round support post.