a freaking raccoon took up residence in my boat

[JRD77VET]

Since I tore up my shoulder in the beginning of March, we didn't open the 24' pontoon boat in the spring as we usually do. Last night when Mary had the puppy out near dusk, she mentioned she saw a raccoon climb an oak tree that's probably 50' from the boat.

I grabbed my cell and called the neighbor Vic to see if saw that raccoon in the neighborhood. He mentioned he saw it the night before come out from under my Suburban ( it's in between the boat and the oak tree ).

Today we untarped the boat and when we looked int he boat, the raccoon was in the top of the aluminum hardtop ( on a shelf ). Vic poked it with an extended painter's pole and it ran out of the boat. The only good part was it looked very healthy ( no rabies concern )

The SOB crapped all over the carpet, tore up some of the upholstery, tore out the "piping" on the captain chair and made a serious mess of the wiring under the console.

If I would have realized he did all the damage I would have shot the bastard when he stuck his head out of the boat

No pics of the damage, I'm too freaking pissed off.


Here's how it's tarped for the winter
First a platform is built

The raccoon took up residence where the wood over laps the hardtop, under the the hardtop.




The freaking raccoon literally climbed the couple steps at the winch post and came in that way.

[Jeff '79]

Here.... I'll shoot it for you... Be careful with the racoon poo. Don't breath it, it's supposedly really toxic. I dispatch all racoons that I see on my land, as they are nothing but damage causing scavengers..
Sorry about your boat... That really sucks.

[VatorMan]

Should have capped his ass.

[MrPeabody]

Racoons and minks are a problem around here with boats. Minks when the boats are sitting in the water. They are tearing up your upholstery to get soft material to use for nesting.

When you cover and store your boat, place several bowls of moth balls around the boat. That works pretty well in keeping the varmints out. I guess they don't like the smell.

Sorry to hear about the damage. I used to own an upholstery shop and I know how much it can cost to fix. Always compare an upholsterer's prices with just replacing the piece out of the West Marine catalogue or the original manufacturer of the boat. Sometimes it can be cheaper that way because they are mass produced.

[99 pewtercoupe]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Here.... I'll shoot it for you... Be careful with the racoon poo. Don't breath it, it's supposedly really toxic. I dispatch all racoons that I see on my land, as they are nothing but damage causing scavengers..
Sorry about your boat... That really sucks.

So what caliber of pistol ammo do you use?

Seriously, what do you use for varmints like raccoons? I am thinking of getting a 22 Mag for them and similar size

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by VatorMan

Should have capped his ass.

I have to shoot left handed right now, stationary targets are no problem but not sure of a moving target.

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

Racoons and minks are a problem around here with boats. Minks when the boats are sitting in the water. They are tearing up your upholstery to get soft material to use for nesting.

When you cover and store your boat, place several bowls of moth balls around the boat. That works pretty well in keeping the varmints out. I guess they don't like the smell.

Sorry to hear about the damage. I used to own an upholstery shop and I know how much it can cost to fix. Always compare an upholsterer's prices with just replacing the piece out of the West Marine catalogue or the original manufacturer of the boat. Sometimes it can be cheaper that way because they are mass produced.

The boats in really great shape, the original owner took great care of it and we do too. What are the chances of getting a perfect upholstery match on a 1993 Starcraft ?

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by 99 pewtercoupe

So what caliber of pistol ammo do you use?

Seriously, what do you use for varmints like raccoons? I am thinking of getting a 22 Mag for them and similar size

Ruger 10/22.....

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by 99 pewtercoupe

So what caliber of pistol ammo do you use?

Seriously, what do you use for varmints like raccoons? I am thinking of getting a 22 Mag for them and similar size

.22 mag is very effective

I had a Beretta model 70S in .380 acp, neighbor Vic had a .22 mag pistol and Mary had her .38 sp . Not sure what Donna had

[99 pewtercoupe]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Ruger 10/22.....

I have ground hogs also and have seen them take more than one 22LR and keep on motoring that's why I was thinking a 22 WMR or something else more than a regular 22

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by 99 pewtercoupe

I have ground hogs also and have seen them take more than one 22LR and keep on motoring that's why I was thinking a 22 WMR or something else more than a regular 22

First they get a little peanut butter on a cracker, then a bullet through the head through the cage. They wiggle around for a few seconds, but they eventually succumb.

[JRD77VET]

Got to love those hav a hart traps

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

I have to shoot left handed right now, stationary targets are no problem but not sure of a moving target.



The boats in really great shape, the original owner took great care of it and we do too. What are the chances of getting a perfect upholstery match on a 1993 Starcraft ?

Well vinyl does come in a lot of colors. I was usually able to match just about anything. Age and fading will compromise the matching process, though.

Two or three things to remember with the upholsterer - make sure Marine Vinyl is used. It's treated to resist mildew and fading. It cost a few bucks more per yard, but you don't want to cut corners here, and many upholsterers will.
Make sure stainless steel staples are used. Others will rust quickly and fall apart. See above comments about cutting corners.
Insist on polyester thread for all sewing. Cotton will rot and fall apart.

These things are especially important if you are dealing with someone who doesn't primarily do marine work.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. It's been awhile, but I have reupholstered quite a few boats.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Got to love those hav a hart traps

I do have a heart....For a few minutes, anyway.......

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

Racoons and minks are a problem around here with boats. Minks when the boats are sitting in the water. They are tearing up your upholstery to get soft material to use for nesting.

When you cover and store your boat, place several bowls of moth balls around the boat. That works pretty well in keeping the varmints out. I guess they don't like the smell.

Sorry to hear about the damage. I used to own an upholstery shop and I know how much it can cost to fix. Always compare an upholsterer's prices with just replacing the piece out of the West Marine catalogue or the original manufacturer of the boat. Sometimes it can be cheaper that way because they are mass produced.

Just to clarify, I meant to place the bowls of mothballs aboard the boat.

[99 pewtercoupe]

Ok, if you trap them. I have dispatched a number of ground hogs in traps with my Ruger SS Six. I'm talking about if they are 100 yes out at the end of property

[Kerrmudgeon]

Same thing happened to my boat 2 years ago. Completely trashed the interiour...seats, dash, padded sundeck, wiring, even the flotation foam. It's got to be stripped out before I can use it again. Thinking of making it into a ratrod boat.

If you guys remember, last fall I trapped 5 of the little varmints and moved them to a nice park with lots of picnic trash, across a river and about 20 miles away. So far so good.

PS.....mine's a Starcraft as well, but much older.

[Frizzle]

sorry to hear jeff....

I am surprised u don't use that boat shrink wrap stuff...

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by 99 pewtercoupe

Ok, if you trap them. I have dispatched a number of ground hogs in traps with my Ruger SS Six. I'm talking about if they are 100 yes out at the end of property

Ruger .22 mag in the front, extremely effective. The .22 in the back is dead nuts accurate ( dime size group at 50 yards). Sub sonics in the hav a hart trap work great too

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by 99 pewtercoupe

Ok, if you trap them. I have dispatched a number of ground hogs in traps with my Ruger SS Six. I'm talking about if they are 100 yes out at the end of property

Oh.... Shotgun, of course.....

[DukeAllen]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

First they get a little peanut butter on a cracker, then a bullet through the head through the cage. They wiggle around for a few seconds, but they eventually succumb.

I think you're a really soft hearted animal lover. You give him a last meal