Bird Spikes on Spreaders

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Mar 28, 2005
92
Oday 25 Stony Brook
I don't know if anybody can help but I want to put some spikes on the spreaders to prevent birds from messing the boat. My only fear is the the commercially available spikes stainless steel or plastic will eventually rip my new main sail. Anybody have input? Thanks
 

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
Monofilament

I personally haven't tried this but I've seen this and heard it works. Try running heavy monofilament horizontally from the mast to the shroud about 3 inches above the spreader. Most installations consist of tying the mono to the shroud and then installing an eye strap on the mast to tie the other end to. It looks simple, clean and you'll have no worries about shreadding your sail on it.
 
S

Stu

Anti Bird

Hi Charlyc: I have the clear acrylic bird spikes on my spreaders as well as the top of the mast. My boat was moored in Centerport Harbor and there are commerants, gulls, pigeons and the rare osprey (besides a tone of other smaller terns and song birds) that live in that harbor. Late summer, they get particularly active and figure out most wire anti-bird devices. They cannot conquer the bird spikes however. I even had a loop of small wire over my masthead windex, because even with the bird spikes, those feathered #$%&$'s would try to land on the windex and break it or bend it beyond repair making my late summer sailing by feel only. At least there aren't harbor seals where I was. I cannot imagine what I would do to stop those things from sinking my boat. Remember that famous line from Caddyshack: "to defeat a gopher, you got to think like a gopher" Good luck and enjoy sailing! Stu
 
Jun 3, 2004
78
Pearson 323 Staten Island
Coneys

Coneys Marine installed them on my boat when I bought it & I never had a problem with them and I never had a bird. Coneys Marine is in Huntington NY
 
Mar 28, 2005
92
Oday 25 Stony Brook
Thanks

Thanks for the input I will try tie wraps facing up with some caulk so the don't move and see if I get showered this season. Stu here in Setauket Harbor like you I get it only late in the season and its a mess. I see a lot of rakes hoisted up on masts of most boats that looks kinda funny but it must work.
 
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