A simple favour please -

[sahona]

- if you have the time and berth in company.

Of all the boats on your pontoon/area, which attract most seagull mess, or conversely escape cleanly?
The criterion I'm interested in is colour of deck/coach-house.

I tried to ask this elsewhere and got the usual barrage of solutions, slab reefing and a Rocna being favourite cures, but no answer to the question.

I do have a vested interest in the outcome, as things are so bad, I'm considering a tin of paint.

Thanks in anticipation,

[Silkie]

I voted dark blue since that is the colour of the flybridge cover on the big mobo that seems to get the most attention in Dunstaffnage but it's probably more to do with the fact that it's a big, flat, nicely elevated platform from which to survey the marina.

[aquaplane]

Our pale blue non slip paint gets at least it's far share of gull excrement. The blue canvas work, especially the main sail cover, is the main target though.

The green duck excrement isn't as much of a problem, not on the boat at any rate, the jetties cop for that.

[sahona]

Not a lot of interest then.

Why is my radome more attractive to seagulls than any of the others in the neighbourhood?
Nothing to do with the radome as it has been changed (for a smaller slippier one).
It has string from it's rim to the steaming light above to deter landing, but still they come.
It is definately the radome they sit on, as I have made a device which has finally put an end to the problem.
(but it is unwieldy and has to be deployed once the sails are down)

So, I repeat, why me?

There is a possibility the colour of the boat below, as seen by the gull, may be the answer - or is this a straw I see in my hand?

If they produce fertilizer (guano), could there be a Darwinian reason for not wasting it in the sea, but rather on the land around the roost, thus helping nature to produce plants then worms etc.? If so, they may prefer not to poo on sea-blue, and feel they must on grey,brown, or possibly green.
Ours is grey plastic with a 'natural' (occasionally tinged with green!) teak deck - an attractive proposition do you think?

Anyway, I seem to be the only one with the problem, so off to the varnish brush once more.

[Silkie]

Angus councillors seem to think that seagulls don't like red.

http://www.arbroathherald.co.uk/news/se ... -1-2190156#

[sahona]

Thanks for that Dave. I may get a dod of red fablon to stick on the radome, however, I suspect if there was such a cure, it would have a red spot already!
Maybe fablon be used to stick on some bits of jaggy plastic as well.

[wully]

Problem solved...



Also works on rabbits and small yappy dugs.

[sahona]

Problem solved...



Also works on rabbits and small yappy dugs.

Don't know where the link vanished to - didn't see it until I tried to quote.

Got all excited 'cos I've got "small yappy dug" problems as well, another example of incontinence.

Surrounded by keech machines above and every side.

[wully]

I wonder where the link went too?

Maybe my work 'putter blocked it cos it was a gun and I can't be arsed trying to link another nasty gun forties on an iPad.

Death to wee yappy dugs..

[sahona]

Death to wee yappy dugs..

or at least, laryngitis.

Kindred spirit!

Interesting to note that we now have a blocked image frame in the blank bit now. Still doesn't open though.

[sahona]

Death to wee yappy dugs..

or at least, laryngitis.

Kindred spirit!

Interesting to note that we now have a blocked image frame instead of the link text. Still doesn't open though.

[sahona]

I thought I'd dig this up and stir the bones a little.
It is with great sorrow and much guilt that I have to admit maligning the noble seagull. (well, almost)
Had I examined the evidence in depth, I may have realised that the offending residual wasn't quite as fishy as it should be.
I have since discovered the offending avians to be crows. (now I'm in danger of using the "b14ck" word and invoking the PC police..)
It seems their claws default to 'grasp mode' when relaxed so they can sleep roosting on a suitable branch or spar.
Unfortunately, mine and one other boat on the pontoon are the only ones with round section spreaders, and guess what - both are plagued with guano.
Maybe guano is no longer the correct word to use, but no doubt Nick's anti-offence machine will transform sh1t@ into something nicer - would that it could do the same on deck.
I have now put twine above the spreaders and am still deploying the jaggy above-the-radome thing, (because I can't believe the gulls are totally innocent) but will soon, no doubt, get lazy and rely on the string alone.

As already suggested, the common solution is a firearm of some sort - capable of creating a cloud of feathers, and not damaging the equipment when aimed with a shakey hand and defocussed eyes.

[mm5aho]

This seems relevant...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Hm96rAlZ9I

[sahona]

Evil b45turds!

[Nick]

.
Is this sh1te thread stil going?