1 Osprey + 1 Day = 2 Destroyed Wind Instruments

[Coyote]

Now that Indigo Breeze, our O'Day 28 is comfortable in her new home, a PROBLEM has arisen as of yesterday.
I walked onto our dock, only to find the business end (tail section) of our new Windex wind instrument laying there, lifeless.
I couldn't imagine what could have broken it in half like that, and the tacking tabs were bent as well.
I commented to a buddy that this is an inexpensive fix, at least my masthead wind sensor is untouched,,, I swear, an hour later, I spot a huge Osprey, resting atop my Masthead Wind Sensor, I jumped to my feet, clapped my hands, he flew off, and in his hasty exit, snapped off the tail of my wind transducer,,,aaarrrggghhhh

here's the question -- I am in favor of NOT replacing masthead wind instruments, what NON-Masthead wind indicators are worth considering?
is there any products out there that are fairly rigid?
at 45', we are the highest point in our canal, and I don't want to constantly worry about future Osprey landings and attacks!

cheers,
Coyote

 

[woodster]

you might try the "pig stick" solution

 

[Jackdaw]

Must be the season. We just lost all our stuff to a cormorant.

The masttop of a Oday 28 is at 45 feet? Seems high.

 

[Coyote]

from I Heart Odays,,

Mast length

41' 10-1/2"

I say 45' to include masthead mounted antennas and instruments,
WHICH I LONGER HAVE!!!

so what do we do? replace everything $$$$, and fuss every time we see a large bird, or try to figure out a way to protect our masthead investment,
or figure out another way
this reminds of my past fight with ALL Squirrels, and our bird feeder!!

thanks,
Coyote

 

[woodster]

For the bird feeders put in cyan pepper the birds don't taste it and the squirrels will do back flips when they bite in to the feed

 

[Jackdaw]

Well maybe put a new windex on, but I would hold off on the expensive bits for now.

 

[Coyote]

any preference between Spar Fly or Windex????
Spar Fly seems to be a bit stouter than Windex?

cheers,
Coyote

 

[Gunni]

That is an inviting looking perch, way too easy to land on. Suggest a short stub forward the mast for the wind speed sensor and see if you can lace it close to your VHF antennae so that it interferes with bird wings attempting a landing.

 

[capta]

There are some electronic bird repellents that do work well. They are primarily used by airports and they are not cheap, but at $300.00 a whack, maybe cheaper than replacing a few masthead transducers. Perhaps your neighbors or the marina will get involved, financially?
A guy had one in Charleston City Marina and when it was on, the birds wouldn't come anywhere near that end of the marina.

 

[Ron20324]

you might try the "pig stick" solution

He needs a different stick, Woody- like an arrow?

 

[Rick D]

What I Have

I had a rigger put up something that looks like the example in the link. Been up there for ten years now and no more replacements needed. It does run out on the mount for the wind speed transducer too.
http://www.pestgoaway.com/index.php...ller=product&gclid=CN7q74fr28cCFQGVfgodfS0JPw

 

[woodster]

He nends a different stick, Woody- like an arrow?

i like a slingshot with marbles myself you know the kind that has the surgical rubber on the frame

 

[Ted]

You can replace your wind transducer with an ultrasonic one which are nearly impossible for a large bird to break. Airmar makes a few models such as the 110wx, 150wx and 200wx. They are pricy but may be worth every penny if this becomes a chronic probem.

http://www.airmartechnology.com/2009/products/marine-product.asp?prodid=200&manf=All

 

[Kermit]

I know (read hope) everyone is joking about projectiles. Osprey, along with all migratory bids, are protected. I like the pig stock idea.

 

[woodster]

I know (read hope) everyone is joking about projectiles. Osprey, along with all migratory bids, are protected. I like the pig stock idea.

have no fear Kermit I lost my slingshot years ago

 

[Chris & Lenore]

Maretron ultrasonic http://www.maretron.com/products/wso100.php

No more bird problems (or spiders or just about anything else).

Chris

 

[Chris Patterson]

For what it's worth, I put a Davis weather station on a pole mounted to the pushpit. It works well for what I need, which primarily serves as a 'Windex', I just look back at the vane.

Couple years ago I had a Dodo bird bend my Windex, and when I see him again, I'm going to blow his head off.

I keep looking for him..

 

[wufibugs]

The PO installed the spikes which seemed to work for several years until the they finally got pushed somehow to one side at which point a pterodactyl broke my windex. I have always wondered why all windex vanes are not molded with some annoying protrusions that make them unsuitable as the otherwise ideal perches they are.

 

[capta]

Maretron ultrasonic http://www.maretron.com/products/wso100.php

No more bird problems (or spiders or just about anything else).

Chris

It seems these folks are really missing the boat with this stuff, if they don't have a drop in display for replacing the ST-60 wind display.

 

[woodster]

It seems these folks are really missing the boat with this stuff, if they don't have a drop in display for replacing the ST-60 wind display.

i was just sitting here thinking the same thing i said to myself...self if only they had a gauge to fit the raymarine hole that would be great...and ya know they may be able to hook it up to the raymarine gauge just without the other features at least i think maybe airmar could