Ducks crapping all over swim platform

Howie o

Howie o

New Member
Mar 30, 2019
17
Maryland
Boat Info
1987 340 Sea Ray express
Engines
twin 350 mercruiser direct drive
Hey guys I have a 1987 340 express. I have been fighting with ducks they keep crapping all over my swim platform .does anyone have an idea for keeping them from making my swim platform a shitty situation lol
 
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Well you can forget the fake owls. I've seen them covered in crap. Your Sea Ray has a swim platform that is very close to the water so the ducks can easily swim up and onto it. The integrated platforms on the next generation of boats such as the 1993 models had platforms that were about a foot or so above the water and they stay much cleaner. About the only thing I've seen work has been netting that is rigged to prevent the ducks from getting onto the boat in that location. Not the best looking solution but it does work.
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 68003 Well you can forget the fake owls. I've seen them covered in crap. Your Sea Ray has a swim platform that is very close to the water so the ducks can easily swim up and onto it. The integrated platforms on the next generation of boats such as the 1993 models had platforms that were about a foot or so above the water and they stay much cleaner. About the only thing I've seen work has been netting that is rigged to prevent the ducks from getting onto the boat in that location. Not the best looking solution but it does work.
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This is all so true. I have observed that low platforms attract the ducks and geese.

MM
 
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Another option is to rent our attack Blue Heron. He is very territorial and chases off all squatter ducks. Here are two pix of him making his security rounds. He likes to stand on the hardtop to get the lay of conditions and then does a walk around every 15 minutes.
 
I used netting on mine for a while but that was kind of a pain in the ass. I bought the thin wire garden fencing and bent the bottom (the part that’s supposed to stick in the ground) so that it would stand up on the swim platform by itself. It’s easier than the netting to remove. It’s ugly but keeps the ducks off. I only have it on there when I’m not at the boat.

I have an ‘88 340 with the same low platform that seems to attract the ducks.

Dan
 
What if you leave the last duck that crapped on your boat in a “docile” state.
 
MonacoMike said:
Ducks are rarely a problem. In our area it is actually Canadian geese that are no longer Canadian migrating geese, but rather resident geese.

MM
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Flying big greasy rats... I hate them and let me be the first to apologize for them... This is my favorite nephew ... He is doing his part with the Canadian geese epedemic and in his spare time he comes down from Canada to help the USA restore power after storms ...pic is NY but he has been down to Florida a number of times recently with his crew

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Bridog said:
Not sure about your specific model year but you may need to buy a new horn. Ducks are naturally attracted to SeaRays because of the infamous SR Duck fart horn that they install. Some sort of natural attraction thing. (sorry, couldn't resist) ;)
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MonacoMike said:
Ducks are rarely a problem. In our area it is actually Canadian geese that are no longer Canadian migrating geese, but rather resident geese.

MM
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The State of Michigan has really loosened up the numbers of Canada Geese you are permitted to take during hunting season. We have noticed a reduction in the numbers of local geese that hang around our lake during the year. We are still a stopover for migrating geese but they typically move on after a day or two depending upon the weather. Not sure what is happening to the locals although I seen a few that were taken when they overstayed their welcome on neighbors' lawns.
 
As a boy in central Indiana we rarely saw Canadian geese, then in the 80's they started building retention ponds to hold runoff water when the subdivision neighborhood was built. These ponds are perfect habitat for the permanent resident geese as they feature short grass around the water source. Geese like to eat the tender grass, and have clear vision of any predators, all while being right next to pretty safe water.

MM
 
The only thing I’ve found to be effective at deterring birds is a Gull Sweep.

It keeps birds off the top. It’s also supposed to be designed so the vanes look like predator birds. It’s worked for my swim platform too when the arms overhung the back of the camper top.
 
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