Cat Urine on Cushion Covers

[hotajax]

Have a 208 with cuddy cabin. The factory cushions have covers, with zippers, that can be removed for washing. Man, it stinks in there. Any suggestions of what to wash them with? OK to machine wash cold, then air dry? For the record, the door to the cuddy was latched shut, with the top door snapped. Side windows closed, and the skylight hatch locked down tight. How do they do it? I'll take any advice. I like sleeping in there when there is no bite on.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Have a 208 with cuddy cabin. How do they do it? I'll take any advice.

Oh man, I don't feel so bad now. I never had that problem but I used to find half eaten birds and little piles of dried up gopher guts in there every now and then. Look under your gunnels by the fish boxes, they are open to the cabin from there and the little buggers can walk right in. I got some empty half gallon plastic milk bottles and wedged them in there to block them off and so far it seems to be working.
Good luck.

 

[ahill]

I got chickenwire, doubled it and jammed in infront of my under gunwale storage on a 272

 

[BobP]

Pool noodles work good too, they come in two diameters and festive colors ! Cut in pieces and wedge in there.

 

[Doc Stressor]

Grady recommends dry cleaning or steam cleaning the cushion covers.

The best thing I've found for removing pet odors (also works for fish odors) is Natures Miracle, which is available at most pet stores.

Let it soak in and work for 10-15 minutes and then rinse with water. I would use it on the cushions since you won't be able to get them cleaned.

 

[Average Joe]

I'm having a similar issue except the intruder is not getting in the cabin. It is getting under the boat cover around the splash well and camping out on the bow using my stored bimini top as a bed. Lots of short hair and some spotty stains on the gelcoat. I suspect it is a cat but not sure. The boat has been sitting in the same location (trailer) for 9 years with no problem until this summer.

 

[Daman858]

I second Nature's Miracle as the owner of two dogs and two cats.

 

[enfish]

I'm having a similar issue except the intruder is not getting in the cabin. It is getting under the boat cover around the splash well and camping out on the bow using my stored bimini top as a bed. Lots of short hair and some spotty stains on the gelcoat. I suspect it is a cat but not sure. The boat has been sitting in the same location (trailer) for 9 years with no problem until this summer.

I've had the cat using the bimini as a bed problem. The solution to that was to put a fender underneath the bimini so that it's suspended above the cabin.

Had feral cat issues in the past dragging rabbits, squirrels, and whatever else they caught to eat on deck under the cover... Had rats get in one time too... worst of the worst messes...

 

[seasick]

I have had cats making homes on the folded Bimini too. I gave up trying to chase them and every season I intend to place a fender under the cover but forget to do so. I also had critters in the cabin. I fixed that with wire mesh cut and jammed under the gunnels by the fish boxes AND under the helm where there is another path for entry. The foam noodles may work for cats but the raccoons will chew it as will squirrels. I have found that the best way to keep squirrels out of the boat is to throw peanuts on my neighbors boat

The old timers tell me that keeping an open container of diesel fuel in the cabin will keep the animals out.