Aaaaagh! RAT on board!

kindredspirit

kindredspirit

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Joined
28 Nov 2002
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Boat: Kilrush.
www.begleys.com
A guy who has a sailing yacht next to me on the hard has just discovered that he has had a rat on board all winter. A lot of the wires have been chewed and there is a big big mess. You don't notice the rat's evidence until you start lifting panels on board.

I hope one never comes a visiting me. I've blocked up the fishing rod holders etc now. But I was wondering, if rattie came a visiting while berthed in the marina or tied alongside a pier, it would be quite easy for him to run along warps or jump on board.

Has anyone here, ever had an unwelcome visiter?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.begleys.com/kevin/weather.htm>Weather & other useful links for Irish waters.</A>
 
I have heard this before about rats, not experienced it myself, (well not on my boat !) but mice also can be a nuisance. Locally (Lancaster Canal) we have had a problem with Mink that have gone wild getting on boats, they are very nasty indeed. Have seen at least two mink near my house which is ajacent to the Canal. Any fishing tackle is very attractive to both mice and rats, unforuntely have had experience of both IN MY HOUSE !! as its very old with outbuildings.

As you say its amazing that boats aren't bothered as much as you would think by mice and rats, as its so easy for them to get on board. uuuurrrhhh.


<hr width=100% size=1>deborah on delft (correct spelling)
 
We've had occasional unwelcome visitors on board, but usually if you give them enough rum, they go back to their own boats in the end...

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairlinetarga29.info>Buy my boat!</A>
 
thread a piece of plastic tube (overfow or wastepipe ) over your warp, secured with a knot... ratty won't try and get over it, or he'll fall in the water trying... if you hear the splash, go laugh at him.... worked for me!!

good luck.

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Yes, been there. This one came along our 'line ashore' on Meganisi, N. Ionian. Felt it brush against me while enjoying stars, wine and cigars. Put it down as a moth at the time; next morning we had what, at first sight, were no.1 childs CocoPops all over the floor. Soon woke up.

Took the better part of the day to find it, one area at a time. Turned out to be in the anchor well. XSWMBO and child quite excited when they found it! Put them down below, all hatches shut, and chased it off the boat, neighbour and I armed with winch handles. At one point adrenalin got the better of me and I threw it at it as it raced around the cockpit! Missed by a couple of inches dammit.

It finally jumped overboard and swam home.

Said neighbour admitted that they'd had one the evening before, caught it in a bin bag - took it ashore and released it. He may be reading this, so my thoughts on vegetarians will not be posted.

I now put empty water bottles (cut off the bottoms, one reversed inside the other) over all lines in dodgy areas, or hang the kedge off the line ashore to sink it. No more visitors, but, they can swim, and if the scent of your boat is attractive enough...

Put a bit of fruit on each of your neighbours transom steps.

btw, Greek rats are more like what we'd call a Gerbil, but with bigger teeth.

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No you dont ned to go that far with the Val Doonicans. Simply play them and no self respecting rat will stay.

Alternatively, become a member of a ceratin club near me and the rat will leave your boat and join the committee.

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Well I have it on excellent authority that you've recently had an extremely big rat on board. Shall I call the pest control officer to get him removed? Or would rat poison be more appropriate.

Maybe best to smoke him out! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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Re: Cat for hire

Well this very same rat has been seen on a stinkie in Plym. yacht haven. Unless you have a tiger I'd keep pussy locked up!!

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Re: Cat for hire

Take him down 't pub for the quiz night. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday
 
No chance on my Boat

Every time I open the backdoor and call my cat, I see a little head appear from under the BOAT CANOPY. Its her hiding place when outside. Last week I was in the cabin with the Hatch open and felt a tapping on my head - Cat was on the cabin roof watching my every movement - worse that the kids for getting under my feet.
Pity any vermin on my boat /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday
 
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