plastic owls and bird droppings

[dougshipl]

In an effort to reduce the deck mess we usually find after extended periods off the boat we picked up a plastic owl at the local boat shop to give it a try, since we figure it couldnt make things worse. We havent hoisted it up the mast yet and have 2 questions 1) do they work and 2) has anyone modified one so it could be hoisted up...i.e. added an eye/hooks more condusive to hoisting then the plastic 1/8" molded into the head? All comments welcomed. Thanks.

[artbyjody]

They do NOT work.. anything stationary regardless how stoic it looks will never. Go to a local kite shop they can sell you bird of prey "kites" that you can run that at least are animated and assist in pre-prevention.

We have several sailboats at my marina that run kites that are mocked "birds of prey" run on backstays and they seem to do a good job - if anything a great watch while eating at the local marina..

[theartfuldodger]

When I was back in Ottawa a chap who had a Dufour 34, put plastic snakes on the deck of his boat and one even sitting on his dodger, the result was no problems, yet everyone around him bothered with the birds. His neighours followed suit when they noticed a change and wonder what was with the platic snakes, and all experience next to none if no birds or droppings, for maybe the one bird flying who couldn't control himself. But all and all was a good result. I've since heard that others in the club of some 1000 members are following suit. I would say there has to be something to it. As for the snakes they were as real as I've ever seen.

[mawm]

I put 'eyes' onto the buoy that I would use to mark my anchor if I had to leave in a hurry. Just 2 strips of electrical tape and then I hung it from the end of my boom. Did the same on my mooring buoy that gets hauled onto the deck. Never saw a bird poop on my boat again.

[Joesaila]

I use a mock great horned owl with a little hanging loop. I hoist it whenver the boats left on the mooring and in two years I've not had any mess on the boat. It has realistic eyes which help and I use a piece of plasic bag in the feet/talon area which moves quite a bit with any breeze. [simulates struggling prey, maybe]

[sailingdog]

A pair of nesting swans works better IMHO, but is harder to setup...

[nereussailor]

I picked up a string of flags from a beer distributor,(read free) took a scissors and cut each flag into three strips(cutting within an inch of the line) and then stringing them around the lifelines. I never had a bit of bird droppings on the boat, just had a bunch of people coming up and asking for a beer. If you're looking for something a little less intrusive, I saw a guy that put fish line on the clip style clothespins and clipped them to his lifelines the birds cant see the fish line and cant land on the lifelines. It doesn't keep them from landing on the deck though

Dave

[dougshipl]

all great ideas - thx you !

[tommays]

In Northport they pick there favorite boats every year and NOTHING stops them

I have seen boats look like a punked show