where I moor, we have black swans, cormorants [ shags] seagulls, and ducks.
The answer is to run a light line from the forestay or furler at the bow at chest height [ half hitch on the forestay] straight down the middle of the
, one loop around the mast cleat, continue down the line of the boom [6 inches above it] cleat again at the end of the boom, then continue on to the rear mast support. Takes less than a minute to run the line.this becomes the support for two rolls of black mesh [ like fishing net] that can be bought from any hardware store. Normally used to keep birds off fruit trees.
Its normally bought 12 foot wide and of any length off the roll. $2 per metre,[ 3 ft] cut it lengthwise to 2 X 6 ft lengths.
Starting at the bow, fix one edge to the light line and the other to the gunnel. I use 4 inch lengths of velcro [ that can go over the line and down both sides of the mesh. Same with fixing to the life lines. Doesn't matter if its a bit loose and moves in the wind...adds to its effectiveness.
On departing the
I fix the last few feet from the dinghy.The birds just HATE it. They seem to know they could be caught by it.
Result...a continuous clean deck next time you go sailing. cost...minimal. Effort...a bit.
Its a lot more effective than rotating sweeps and solves the problem of having the mast and boom.
Hope this is of help. Puggsy
