Squirrels

[Dee Hill]

Yesterday I discovered a squirrel nest in my mainsail. The nest was made from fabric chewed out of the sail. Two boats beside mine have also had this misfortune. Does anyone have recommendations for how to rid ourselves of these unwelcome tenants. I am told that they run across the dock lines.

 

[Steve Dion]

Several Solutions

There are several solutions.1. Shoot the little bastards. (probably not P.C. in the harbor, let's move on to solution 2)2. Place funnels and clear tubing over your lines. This should make it much more difficult for them to board your boat. This is only going to work if they are comming aboard on the lines. If they jump (and they can) this will not work.3. Place RAT poision in the sail where they are bedding down. This is probably also not P.C. but who cares. For what it costs for a new main sail it is worth a try.4. Remove you mail sail from the boat. (then they will find someone elses boat to nest on). This is the P.C. thing to do. You know the squirrels were there before the marina was built so they have rights too.I would contact my insurance company to see if they cover this type of damage too.

 

[Marc Honey]

My solution

I'm sorry, I just have to say it, USE THE BOAT MORE!!! A squirrel would be one busy little SOB trying to keep up with me and the way I use my boat!!! OK, now that thats out of my system...lots of people take their mainsails down and that advice from your previous post is probably the best!

 

[Jim Logan]

Dude!

Dude! You need to sail more often!This is as bad as wasps in the mainsail.

 

[Dee Hill]

Response

Thanks, Steve for suggestions. Insurance will cover. Have placed both moth balls and rat poisoning on boat.Marc & Steve, this occurred almost over-nite. But will try to follow your suggestion, as well.

 

[Steve Dion]

Oh Dee!

Dee:Did you discount my first two ideas?Steve