Quinte Fishing

Went to pick up boat this spring at our Uncle's barn, we've been storing it there for the past 5 years. At no time had it ever been a problem we would put out rat bars around the floor just in case. The first year mice had eaten some, but ever since never a problem.

This year a different story, there was a old outhouse beside the steel barn a raccoon or two climbed up the side of the outhouse to the roof then jumped over to the window sill broke a window and came in the barn, then of course got in the boat. They lifted the top cover on the cuddy door and spent a good part of the winter living there. We had stored most of our canopy in there and the two seats for the back of the boat. I also had put in four fishing rods, in line planer boards, four life preservers so would be ready for the opening of walleye season. The racoon's ate the handles off the fishing rods so the too had to be replaced, the life preservers all had to be replaced. The stink of the boat was almost unbearable, I was sure they would right the boat off.

I called the insurance company, as they chewed all of the upholstery except the Captain and Co-Captain seats. The insurance company Marine Loss Surveyor came and thankfully said boat was still worth fixing. He left with me with some good advice get the boat thoroughly and fumigated, especially the canopy, all of the upholstery needs to be replaced. Strongly recommended I take the canopy to service master to get this done. He also said take the boat where I would feel comfortable getting the work done, of course I took it to JP Marine as they have done all of the work on my boat, plus they have a upholstery fellow who does excellent work.

I was told by the Surveyor this has been a terrible year for raccoon damage, he believes they were looking for protection from the bitter winter.

I've also heard that some Marine Insurance clearly state not insured for animal damage, I would strongly suggest make sure your covered unless you have $12,000 dollars to throw away as that will be the end figure to get my boat back in the water.

Just a heads up check your insurance if it says no animal damage, maybe you should think about it. If you want the name of my insurance company PM me.

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Fish often and enjoy, "you never know what tomorrow may bring"

Sounds like the story of a friend of mine, whose boat was instorage over the winter a couple years ago and a raccoon walked across the canvas at the back and it ripped and it fell thru and wasn't able to get out,

It got into the cutty cabin and TRASHED it and then DIED...........What a mess.

Hope you get things worked out and thanks for the insurance alert.

David aka Superdad