For the past few weeks we've moored our 40' Caliber in Port Jefferson harbor and we are very sorry we did. We just moored it there temporarily until we bring the boat down to Florida for the winter via ICW/offshore. The boat is literally covered with cormorant droppings. We took off all the canvas (bimini/dodger) to clean it and to keep it from any further bombs until we're out of there which hopefully will be later this week. Any suggestions besides the normal "boat soap", "Krazy Clean" products to get the stuff off the canvas and fiberglass would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
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Cormorant Research
I was next to a 50+ foot Swan at Block Island that was literally covered with the droppings, the sail covers was not on but the mainsail was flaked on the boom and it was completely covered with bird guana, all other canvass on the boat was likewaise covered as well as the entire deck. I never saw a mess like it anywhere. I was able to research why they chose this boat out of all the options available in the harbor. The boat had double spreaders and the angle of the shrouds to the spreader was such that the birds could easily land and roost on the spreaders. On most single spreader boats the angle was such that the birds could not easily land. The only suggestion I have to prevent this is to rig some thin line to crisscross the opening between the mast and the shrouds and thus eliminate the ability for the birds to land on the spreader. Good luck with the cleaning. it is a horrible mess!! Dave
I was next to a 50+ foot Swan at Block Island that was literally covered with the droppings, the sail covers was not on but the mainsail was flaked on the boom and it was completely covered with bird guana, all other canvass on the boat was likewaise covered as well as the entire deck. I never saw a mess like it anywhere. I was able to research why they chose this boat out of all the options available in the harbor. The boat had double spreaders and the angle of the shrouds to the spreader was such that the birds could easily land and roost on the spreaders. On most single spreader boats the angle was such that the birds could not easily land. The only suggestion I have to prevent this is to rig some thin line to crisscross the opening between the mast and the shrouds and thus eliminate the ability for the birds to land on the spreader. Good luck with the cleaning. it is a horrible mess!! Dave
methods I found useful
I had a very simular problem here on the Gulf Coast. I found that a little bleach and Dawn dishwasher soap worked great to clean the fiberglass. Everyone says that you should not mix the both, however when working topsides in a well ventilated space (outside) it works great on "bird stuff". I use it on my Tayana-37 on a weekly basis with no problems to the glass. hope this helps
I had a very simular problem here on the Gulf Coast. I found that a little bleach and Dawn dishwasher soap worked great to clean the fiberglass. Everyone says that you should not mix the both, however when working topsides in a well ventilated space (outside) it works great on "bird stuff". I use it on my Tayana-37 on a weekly basis with no problems to the glass. hope this helps
Best answer
Don't get the stuff on your boat, then you wont have to clean it off. I've found the perfect stuff to keep them critters off my boat. A big roll of yellow 'caution' tape. You can string anywhere easily, it stands up to wind and sun, and its dirt cheap. A $5 roll will last at least a year. I also use an 8' piece of fruit tree netting that works great on the stern platform. The birds wont go near this stuff.
Don't get the stuff on your boat, then you wont have to clean it off. I've found the perfect stuff to keep them critters off my boat. A big roll of yellow 'caution' tape. You can string anywhere easily, it stands up to wind and sun, and its dirt cheap. A $5 roll will last at least a year. I also use an 8' piece of fruit tree netting that works great on the stern platform. The birds wont go near this stuff.
I saw a great decoy this weekend...
Wish I had a pic, instead of the (ho-hum) owl, this guy in our marina had a 6 ft long, about 4 inch thick bright green rubber snake, just leaves it on deck, and the birds go somewhere else. Looks pretty cool too.
Wish I had a pic, instead of the (ho-hum) owl, this guy in our marina had a 6 ft long, about 4 inch thick bright green rubber snake, just leaves it on deck, and the birds go somewhere else. Looks pretty cool too.
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