Yamaha Blue Life looks at the unexpected damage animals and marine growth can cause to boats during storage or long periods left unattended.
What to know
Boats provide shelter, warmth and interesting materials for animals when owners are away. Wiring insulation, seat foam and stored food can all attract unwanted attention.
Rodent damage is especially frustrating because it may remain hidden until a system stops working. Regular checks during storage can catch signs before the damage spreads.
How to approach it
Birds create different problems around covers, towers and cockpits. Nesting material, droppings and blocked drainage can turn a cosmetic nuisance into a maintenance issue.
Boats left in water also face marine growth around hulls, intakes and running gear. Growth can affect performance and cooling if it is ignored long enough.
Where the practical value lies
Clean storage and removing food are simple first steps. Sealing obvious access points and keeping covers secure can also reduce opportunities for pests.
Owners should avoid improvised deterrents that could damage wiring, pets or wildlife. Local marina advice is often useful because pest problems vary by region.
Why it suits LBG readers
For LBG readers, occasional inspection is the main lesson. A boat that is not being used still needs attention.
Small checks cost little and can prevent expensive surprises. Storage should be treated as part of ownership rather than a period when the boat can be forgotten.
Source
Yamaha Blue Life