Muskrats chewing hoses/cables on outdrive unit??!!

[amt90]

Last summer I purchased my first I/O boat. My family has a cabin and we like to leave our boat in the water tied to our dock for several days at a time when we are there. We do not have a boat lift. Last fall something chewed through the water hose and trim gage cable on the outdrive of the motor causing expensive repair bills. I believe it was a Muskrat that chewed the hose and cable.

I realize the best solution to this would be to get a lift and keep the boat out of the water, But does anyone know of a product to protect the outdrive unit to prevent this from happening or has anyone else expereinced this problem and did you come up with a solution?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

12 Ga. & #6 shot!

Cliff

[delcecchi]

Conibear body grip trap? 22?

[Mike89]

trim the motor up out of the water or place mesh around it, have fun.

[Grainbelt]

I had the same thing happen, they chewed about a 1" hole in my driveshaft baffle. I had it on a lift but the lower unit was in the water overnight. Not knowing that they chewed a hole I went fishing and almost swamped my boat. Knowing that I had the plug in it took me a while to figure out what had happened.

If it had been tied to the dock it would probably be resting on the bottom. I never leave my lower unit in the water overnight anymore. If I don't have a lift to use, my boat goes on the trailer.

[Doufish2]

dam things used to chew off transducer cables. At least once a year.

[LindellProStaf]

I have had transducer cables chewed through too. Darn have to buy a new locator. I asked the bait shop guy here if he just cuts them to sell more locators.

[tomevee]

try wrapping tin foil around cables it helps