Michiman
Well-Known Member
On the way to lay up our boat for the year, I noted a muskrat swimming around in our marina. Cute, I thought! Heck, I didn't even know we had muskrats around the lake!
An hour later I happened to strike up a conversation with another Benny owner when returning my boat to the dealer for the winter. Earlier this year he went out to go for a ride and it wouldn't start. Upon further inspection he found the electrical wiring at his engine had been gnawed off.
It seems that muskrats like to enter through the holes in the transom and then cause major destruction! Never, ever, gave it any thought and never, ever, heard or read of such a thing. He suggested having heavy duty screen placed over the two holes to keep them out. Upon mentioning this to my dealer, I was told that such damage is not uncommon and that they install the screen upon request. Of course, I added it to my work order.
So, while I may just be more ignorant than I thought, I figure I'd post this in case someone else out there may be unaware of the potential problem.
An hour later I happened to strike up a conversation with another Benny owner when returning my boat to the dealer for the winter. Earlier this year he went out to go for a ride and it wouldn't start. Upon further inspection he found the electrical wiring at his engine had been gnawed off.
It seems that muskrats like to enter through the holes in the transom and then cause major destruction! Never, ever, gave it any thought and never, ever, heard or read of such a thing. He suggested having heavy duty screen placed over the two holes to keep them out. Upon mentioning this to my dealer, I was told that such damage is not uncommon and that they install the screen upon request. Of course, I added it to my work order.
So, while I may just be more ignorant than I thought, I figure I'd post this in case someone else out there may be unaware of the potential problem.