Hi

Birds picked the top sealing of my carbon mast. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
The top of the mast was sealed with foam covered with a soft plastic. It was white.
I want to glue another piece of plastic on it or laminate glass over it. Is there any color (red, yellow...?) which keeps birds away?

Just curious, does anyone had the same problem?

Cheers,

Klaus

I did a Google search using the phrase, "Colors that repel birds" and came up with some ideas.

Like when you are not sailing, turn your mast into a flagpole by attaching a retrieval line to your halyard shackle (or tie the halyard to itself to make it continuous) and use the halyard to hoist to the top of the mast a bright-colored balloon or a strip of bright-colored metallic tape that will wave in the breeze.

Products like this are actually available for the purpose of repelling birds, but you could probably come up with something yourself. Here are two links.

http://izola.co.uk/birds/products/itape.htm

http://www.gemplers.com/product/TEB/Scare-Eyes-Bird-Control-Balloon

Let us know what works.

Mary,
Great idea, the seagulls have been using my boat as a picnic table. I cant believe the mess they make.

Bill

I had the same problem. After replacing the foam plug, I cut a piece of light aluminum the shape of the mast with a small tab on each side to bend over the mast. Then fastened it with pop rivets.

Gordon

I put a large zip tie on the top of the mast. There is a hole to attach it to. I mount is so the end sticks straight up so the birds cannot perch up there comfortably. Like the spike idea, that many big boat masts have, but cheap and easy to mount.

Later,
Dan

Wow Mary, you have really creative ideas. I like the holographic balloon.
Today I glued a red piece of plastic on the top. If this does not work, I will try the bright metallic tape.

Thanks and cheers,

Klaus

What about taking some stainless welding rod (or other small straight wire) and poking it into the foam at odd angles like those other bird repellent spikes you see on buildings? No bird would ever land there again.

Looks like it would also be a lightning rod. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />