Jonathan Livingston Seagull

[Gym]

So, I've had my boat on a lift for the past few weeks and it's been met with mixed reviews. Mostly positive as I no longer have to mix it up with the inconsiderate vacationers at the ramp. Probably the biggest issue I had to face was learning to put the new mooring cover on while standing on the boat, then leaping about six feet onto the dock. Fortunately, I haven't fallen in....yet.

My friend has a 32 foot Formula just 20 yards out on a mooring shown in the background of pic 1. His boat gets assaulted by Jonathan Livingston Seagull and his buddies morning noon and night. He finds shells, parts of fish and last week found an entire fish carcus on his cover along with the requisite bird droppings. I haven't had that problem yet but wasn't going to wait for Jonathan and friends to find a new dining venue.

Yesterday I spent three hours mounting a three foot piece of PVC to each of the four lift piling. To the PVC I strung 20# test monofilament. Birds will stay away if they think they will get tangled up. I ran the monofilament around the perimeter of the lift and crisscrossed through the middle. Not even Jonathan would be smart enough to defeat that. WRONG. Pic 2. This was a clear act of defiance. Next week I'm getting an owl, snake, coyote and maybe even a shotgun.

 

[Scottintexas]

I wonder if a cheap stand up paddle board wouldn't be a good investment to help you put your cover on, they are surprisingly stable

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Damn seadooguls

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Looks like the perfect place for a gull sweep. Many variations available (portable, mounted)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s?k=gull+sweep

 

[Gym]

I wonder if a cheap stand up paddle board wouldn't be a good investment to help you put your cover on, they are surprisingly stable

Yeah, I thought of that or the small row boat sitting on the shore by the dock but I have to pull the cover so hard to get the last rear cleat into the pocket on the cover I would need something solid to brace against. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a "YouTube" moment this summer.

 

[Gym]

Looks like the perfect place for a gull sweep. Many variations available (portable, mounted)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s?k=gull+sweep

Yup, good suggestion @Murf'n'surf. I'm probably gonna to have to go with something like that or the fake owl.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Fake owl?? Nah...them birds will s?&t on that! Get the sweep!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Yeah, I thought of that or the small row boat sitting on the shore by the dock but I have to pull the cover so hard to get the last rear cleat into the pocket on the cover I would need something solid to brace against. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a "YouTube" moment this summer.

Got room to install a plank on the piling s that are on the far side of your lift?

http://dockpartsusa.com/store?page=shop.browse&category_id=38