Muskrat Love, no this isn't a joke.

[Bob Quinn]

Brought the 53 to the marina a couple weeks ago after getting out of my winter well.
Boat neighbor leaves a message: "Hey, just a heads up, a muskrat has made a home in your port side exhaust"
Sigh.
Any thoughts on proper Muskrat removal options?
I am hoping it's not in there all the time and I can just fire up the motor and blow out whatever debri might be in there.
I hope it's not clogged up. I don't want to hurt the little critter.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I remember a story where the rats ate up some hose from the insides and sank the boat.
Inspect all well and use rubber play balls or fenders to plug up your exhaust if this continues to be an issue.

 

[Bob Quinn]

I remember a story where the rats ate up some hose from the insides and sank the boat.
Inspect all well and use rubber play balls or fenders to plug up your exhaust if this continues to be an issue.

Yikes, I don't need that kind of trouble!

 

[Sadey]

Hurley Marine,

Muskrat Otter Exhaust Guards​

 

[Sadey]

Hurley Marine,

Muskrat Otter Exhaust Guards​

I used a pellet gun, net and someone at the helm to start the motors to flush the critter out. I used a pellet gun because the marina is in the city and I’m sure a gunshot would’ve caused a little bit of a stir.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I've fired up the engines to "remove" them. Now I have guards installed similar to the Hurley guards. I made mine by slicing a ring of stainless pipe and drilling some holes in that for bolts that I double nutted and extended out to make contact with the inside of the exhaust.

 

[Pascal]

Where do get these muskrats? Are they an an issue on the Tennessee river?

 

[SEVEN]

I have friends that put a rubber ball in the exhaust and then inflate it with a hand pump so nothing can get in and then they remove it when they’re ready to takeoff or fire up the engines pain in the butt, but it works.

 

[Bob Quinn]

These are in Algonac Michigan. The local high school says: "Home of the Muskrats" LOL
Also saw a sign today "Muskrat meat for say 3 for $3" - I will pass on that, thank you.

 

[Bob Quinn]

I found two beach toy baskets that just happen to be the right size and tapered.
$2.00 temporary plugs for now.

 

[Sadey]

Be sure to have a license and save the meat!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have had Muscrats in my exhaust in Harrisville, MI and in Montague, Mi and have seen them in other places as well. I would think that they could be a problem in any fresh water river or lake. In Florida, probably the gators and snakes have eradicated them long ago.

 

[Bob Quinn]

I like the idea of the Hurley Marine method, or do like Sky did and make my own.
I would however be a little worried about over torqueing the screws.

 

[Sadey]

Your right but the rats, crabs and termites have taken thier place. .

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I like the idea of the Hurley Marine method, or do like Sky did and make my own.
I would however be a little worried about over torqueing the screws.

Don't worry about over torquing. You install them right where the tube to hull interface is located. There is an unlimited about of fiberglass right there.

 

[warrenw]

Muskrats seem to be a common problem in the Great Lakes region. While I have never experienced the issue personally there are enough stories of significant exhaust damage and boats sinking that I installed guards on my previous and current boat. The cast bronze exhaust deflectors on my 47 Commander weren't ideal for installing the Hurley or similar muskrat guards. I bought some heavy stainless steel mesh guards intended for drainage pipe and modified them. They are currently a tight friction fit within the exhaust deflectors and will only come out with significant force. https://drainageproducts.us/6-stain...guards/?searchid=0&search_query=animal+guards

 

[Eddieclemons]

Be very careful just starting it up, make sure that you're not going to have clogged exhaust and run the water back into the engine And cause a lot of damage. I have seen them cause some very big mechanical bills here. I'm terrified of them.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Be very careful just starting it up, make sure that you're not going to have clogged exhaust and run the water back into the engine And cause a lot of damage. I have seen them cause some very big mechanical bills here. I'm terrified of them.

I was wondering about that. I took a look before firing it up, didn't really see anything packed in the exhaust. I had someone watch while I fired it up too. Just a little sea weed came out so apparently my guest hadn't gotten to far along building it's nest. All good and I have the exhaust capped off with some little toy buckets from the Dollar store for now. The taper on the buckets worked perfect to wedge into place as a temporary fix.

 

[Bob Quinn]

Don't worry about over torquing. You install them right where the tube to hull interface is located. There is an unlimited about of fiberglass right there.

Sky what do you think about making them out of Aluminum? I think I have some aluminum plate here about 3/4 thick. I could mill a star pattern inside the round shape and tap holes around it for stainless bolts.

 

[Jims43DC]

I found some egg baskets at tractor supply that fit in perfectly. We have muskrats where we slip on Lake Champlain. Tnhey have been in for 3 or 4 years