Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

[whywhyzed]

I just got an inflatable that is not pvc, but hypalon. Can I leave it in the lake, or is there a risk of muskrat love of the hypalon?. As i understand hypalon is sort of like neoprene..

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

I have never heard of that. I would imagine that IF they attack the boat they are actually going after growth on the outside. I absolutey would not wax the boat with peanut butter (sorry I could not resist!! that).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

bob that crack me up!!!

 

[LongJohnSilver]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

I have never heard of a muskrat damaging any kind of boat. I used to trap muskrats when in college to help with tuition and know the critters fairly well. Since they're strictly vegetarians, unless you leave parsnips, pondweeds or wild rice in the boat I wouldn't worry about it. They do wreak havoc on earthen dams by burrowing holes into them. I would make certain that your boat and its contents don’t offer habitat for any kind of varmint.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

How long do you intend on leaving it in the lake? Hypalon is one of the strongest materials they can make inflatables with and last so much longer than regular PVC inflatables .... as far as muskrats concern, I don't know much about them as we don't get them down here, but in my boat garage where I store my inflatables there are alot of rats and mice and I see their droppings all over my boats but never see any damage from them ever ......

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

Old OMC outdrives had a large rubber seal that sealed the outdrive to the stern. Muskrats loved to chew on those which obviously sunk the boat. Some owners resorted to wire mesh protectors. If they chew on rubber, I can't imagine they would not at least sample your inflatable.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

>Since they're strictly vegetarians

Around these parts they also eat fish, clams and crayfish. My buddy used to run a Coleman Crawdad but I think they knew the difference

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

I've never seen a muskrat eating a boat, and I watch the National Geographic Channel!

 

[NBE]

Re: Do muskrats eat inflatable boats?

Well, if they are Louisiana muskrats then they'll eat most anything. 8)