[Rhodes22-list] Organic deck deposits

[Jim Connolly]

(knock wood) I have not had a big problem with bird deposits on my R22.  I
did on a couple of previous (power) boats.  An old Chris Craft was the home
for about a week for several million migrating terns.  It took three
weekends of elbow grease to get her clean.  After that, I had good luck with
Gull Sweeps.  They work well for protecting open horizontal surfaces, like
cabin tops and canvas encclosures.  They really have limited influence on
any birds outside the radius of their swing, as the corners of my canvas
would occasionally attest.  I can't see much applicability for the Rhodes,
except maybe on pulpit and pushpit to discourage landing approaches.  

I used to have a photo of a lobsterboat with an owl on the cabin roof, the
owl surrounded by gulls.

I have had folks recommend the big yellow inflatable ball with reflector
eyes.  Anybody tried that?

Jim Connolly 
s/v Inisheer
'85 recycled '03

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Michael D. Weisner
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 1:45 PM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Organic deck deposits

Why go to the trouble of using high tech, powered deterrents?  Just be a
poor host to these birds and they will choose a more comfortable boat to
hang out.  For years I have been successful at ridding my R22. and several
other sailboats. of cormorants (sea crows) by using Nixalite bird spikes
atop the mast (http://www.nixalite.com/nixalitemodels.aspx).

Before raising the mast, drill a couple of small holes (1/8", I think) as
described in the Nixalite installation instructions in the masthead (top) to
secure the clips that hold a small portion of the product to the masthead
with short stainless self-tapping screws.  The spikes stick straight up when
the mast is stepped (be careful of VHF aerial and Windex, if so equipped)
and do not interfere with the sail.  Additionally, I use a couple of pieces
of 20 to 30 pound test monofilament line strung from the mast to the side
stays, starting an inch or so above each spreader.  This prevents the birds
from roosting on the top of the spreaders as well.

Obviously, this does not work if the birds tend to sit on the deck, rails,
boom or bimini.  For this problem, you may need to be more creative or
temporarily place monofilament line at appropriate locations to be removed
when the boat is occupied.  The time spent setting up and removing the
deterrents is a fraction of the time necessary to constantly clean up after
the birds.

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY


From: "David Bradley" <dwbrad at gmail.com> Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 
12:57 PM
> There is supposedly an ultrasonic sound device that drives birds (and
> mice) off.  I haven't seen it in a marine store - maybe in a farm
> supply store?  Would imagine it would need shore power.
>
> On Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 8:57 AM, Arthur H. Czerwonky
> <czerwonky at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> One of our skippers has asked me to build a cover to provide protection 
>> from bird droppings on his boat.  I'll keep you posted on the results in 
>> the months ahead.  I thought I somehow had immunity from this until I 
>> repositioned my boat to a new spot at Boca Ciega... no such luck.  Some 
>> pet stores have a solvent for removing stains, although I have had very 
>> mixed results.  Water birds are especially potent.
>> Chow,
>> Art
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>>From: carl <mvd00108 at mvtel.net>
>>>Sent: Jan 18, 2009 11:57 PM
>>>To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>>>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Organic deck deposits
>>>
>>>We used a device that had bird calls recorded on it from birds of prey,
>>>repeating at random at an airplane hanger locally. it seemed to work,
>>>but may be REAL annoying to everyone else in port.
>>>Carl
>>>>
>>>> Lee
>>>> 1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
>>>> Kent Island, MD
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ron Singerman-2 wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Help!  Does anyone have a method to avoid deck droppings?  I have 
>>>>> tried
>>>>> rubber snakes on the deck  ( The birds must  use these as targets for
>>>>> their bombing raids.)  I have tried an owl hoisted on a halyard (Same
>>>>> results). I'm getting tired of having to hose down the cabin top and 
>>>>> the
>>>>> fore deck every time I go out.
>>>>>
>>>>> Fair winds and following seas,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>__________________________________________________
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>>
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>
>
>
> -- 
> David Bradley
> +1.206.234.3977
> dwbrad at gmail.com
> __________________________________________________
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> 

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