Pros/cons on vermin shield for lines?

[Rehack]

I’ve been wondering if some kind of baffle on mooring lines to keep rodents off the boat would be a good idea. I haven’t had this problem ... yet. Does anyone have experience with this? Is it too much of a hassle to use diligently?

 

[bob daily]

Rat guards on mooring lines have been around as long as ships have sailed the seven seas!
They are available on Amazon and other marine suppliers.
Now if I could only find a way to keep my brother-in-law off my boat! Bob

 

[Gentoo]

Rat guards on mooring lines have been around as long as ships have sailed the seven seas!
They are available on Amazon and other marine suppliers.
Now if I could only find a way to keep my brother-in-law off my boat! Bob

Tell him he can only come on via the rat lines

 

[BradOwens]

Rat Guards are of limited value on small boats because rats can easily jump from the dock to the swim step. They are good for ships, where the deck is too far from the dock, and the only access would be climbing the mooring lines.

 

[bill46]

Spraying ammonia on dock keeps mice and rats away. They think it is cat marking territory.
Haven't had either in 4 yers I do it at home. Do not use at marinas.

 

[Beardco]

I, and another owner just had this discussion. Ranger tells us that they put blockers where two molded pieces meet so, there should not be rodent access to the interior of the boat.

That's all the secondhand information I got. I don't know what these 'blockers' are made of. If rodents smell food, they can be awfully destructive to get at it. If I open a package I either put it in the refrigerator or transfer it to Tupperware. And I don't leave trash in the receptacle on the boat when it is docked.

I do know there are gaps in the mating of molded pieces in the cockpit of my 31CB. I haven't traced all these access places to find if there is access to wires, since the boat is new. I've seen rat damage to wires, along with cooked rat. The little devils will chew anything.

 

[Rehack]

Thanks for the great input (and the laughs). Also, “rats can easily jump...” gave me pause. Tidy ship sounds like the best deterrent in my case.