snakes climbing into exhaust ports

D

danbrenjer

New Member
Jun 25, 2014
2
Lake Erie
Boat Info
1992 330 Sundancer
Engines
454 mercruiser V-drives
has anybody had a problem with snakes climbing into my exhaust ports when I fire up the port exhaust I have blown out 5 snakes in 3 weeks is there a way to make covers small enough to keep them out but allow the water to flow out. Ive seen the otter ones but the holes are to big Any help or ideas would appreciated
 
I would think they are looking for a heat source, probably moving in after you shut down. What about stuffing a styrofoam coffee cup in the exhaust (if accessible)??
 
Last edited:
danbrenjer said:
has anybody had a problem with snakes climbing into my exhaust ports when I fire up the port exhaust I have blown out 5 snakes in 3 weeks is there a way to make covers small enough to keep them out but allow the water to flow out. Ive seen the otter ones but the holes are to big Any help or ideas would appreciated
Click to expand...

Please delete this post immediately. If my wife ever sees it, I will never get herr on the boat again.
 
I can't help specifically with exhaust ports, but moth balls do wonders for us. At home under decks and in plant beds keep chipmunks & the like away. At the marina we put them under the floating docks and snakes stay away. The first year at the slip we saw plenty. Since we started using moth balls.....Zero.
 
sfergson727 said:
You need to invite this girl on your boat, problem solved.

[video=youtube;3PGLKTSqoMQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGLKTSqoMQ[/video]
Click to expand...

GOOD LORD!!! Is she crazy or what!!! Who in their right mind puts their bare hands in holes like that when you don't know what you're going to come across! Notwithstanding the way she catches them in the water like she did. Takes all sorts I suppose:)
 
Does your boat have exhaust flappers? If not, install them.
 
For the first time in many years I have had the same issue this year. Not sure what they are trying to do but they used to just lay on the swim platform. I have no insight to a solution but I've offed over a dozen this year. A flapper wouldn't work in my boat for sure. They do have the muskrat guards but they would do nothing for snakes...
 
I had a water snake try that when I was float on a raft. My wife hooked with the boat hook and threw it at me... I hate snakes... That was about 10 years ago and we have not anchored there since that time. I like the styrofoam cup idea... On a 330 you will just have lean over stick in...
 
Snakes are definitely abundant this year. Haven't had any issues, but the boat hasn't been run since Memorial day. Hell, there may be a whole colony in my exhaust for all i know. I do have flappers on my exhaust. Not sure you could install them though on your vintage 330 since the ports are molded into the hull.

I actually don't mind them, and are native species so we leave them alone. They also eat the invasive Gobi's and white perch so they are OK in my book.
 
I have absolutely no experience with this, but... Dan, you mentioned there are guards available to keep otters out? Can you attach a wire mesh, of the appropriate hole size, to the otter guards? You can buy wire mesh in stainless steel and possibly use SS lock wire to secure it, or even SS zip ties. Although, the lock wire would be less noticeable. I would imagine that you don't want to go too small with the wire mesh holes, though - just to keep good exhaust flow movement.
 
Alex F said:
Does your boat have exhaust flappers? If not, install them.
Click to expand...

Most of the Pre-2004 Cruisers I have seen have the exhaust port molded in to the hull with no fitting. Seems like SR started using the Southco Exhaust thru-hulls around 2004ish that do have a flapper.
 
danbrenjer said:
has anybody had a problem with snakes climbing into my exhaust ports when I fire up the port exhaust I have blown out 5 snakes in 3 weeks is there a way to make covers small enough to keep them out but allow the water to flow out. Ive seen the otter ones but the holes are to big Any help or ideas would appreciated
Click to expand...

I have no problem at all with snakes climbing into YOUR exhaust ports. Mine on the other hand, nope....none there either...... They will only go in so far then curl up for the heat.
 
Ok I can honestly say I will never go boating in FW again, EVER. That video freaked me out. I don't do snakes. I'll take sharks and crocs anytime.
 
We would use NERF balls when we were on a lake, used them all year, would also keep cold air from blowing in in the winter months.
 
Sell the boat and buy a plane.......oh, wait a minute.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,241
Messages
1,429,111
Members
61,122
Latest member
DddAae
Back
Top