Hawke, I respect wildlife including snakes....I really do. But I will not tolerate them on my property, including a boat.
Here's some pics from the last couple of days for y'all to enjoy.
First is a huge copperhead that my son stepped over while getting a ball that had strayed.
Second pic is my female weiner dog that followed my son and got bit on the nose. This was Sunday after church....in my yard.

Third pic is of a small copperhead my weiner dog found under some lumber yesterday, just 50 or so feet from the house.

Having three kiddos, I don't have the luxury of "moving" these critters. Last year's total was 28 copperheads and two cottonmouths, all found within 50 feet of the house and most of them against the house. All dispatched by various and timely means.
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410 snake charmer had it sense 73

I carry a pellet gun in my rod box. They make good target practice. I've never been bit by a dead snake.

I have found that messing your pants ahead of time usually takes the fun out of it for the snakes...well, that, or they're just too busy laughing at me to finish the job...ain't figured it out yet.

ps, the same thing goes for screaming like a girl! That works too! LOL!!!

Man I just about spit coffee on the moniter frogger, Thanks
I guess I lucked out not being afraid. I have a buddy that would shoot me and the snake though. He really got scared when I pulled over one day to get a better look at a good sized coral snake sunning itself down by Lake Austin.
Funny how a little snake can make a full grown man turn into a screamin' panzie. That is when he threatened me with my life. I got back in the truck as soon as my gut quit hurting and I could wipe the tears away from laughing so hard so I could see to drive.
Still makes me laugh.

I call it my "Wampin Stick "

I often fish from a small pontoon boat and have never had a problem with snakes. I have seen plenty, but never been "attacked". Like Hawke said, they are more afraid of you then you are of them. Just slap the water and they will turn away. You guys crack me up. Now if we were talking about big spiders or mating swans, thats another story, those scare the heck out of me!!!

A long handled hoe works well.

Why isn't she afraid of the snakes?

I can't wait to see some guy with a garden hoe chopping up his boat madly trying to kill a snake who just wants to get out of the boat. Or just imagine fishing and a guy a few boats down starts pumping shotgun shells onto the floor of his boat trying to kill a snake in an alligator infested cove.

We must be careful of the advice we give, cuz the after effects might be worse.

Tude, Man do you live in a jungle or what? 30 snakes in a year is 30 too many if you ask me. How is your weiner dog doing? From her expression in the pic, she doesn't look too comfortable. I am not what you call snake friendly but I think they deserve to have their place in life. That is, as long as that place is somewhere other than where I happen to be.

Zert, she is fine. All swelling went down withing 36 hours. That is the second time she has been bitten.
My male weiner dog has been bitten 12 or 13 times in the past 3 years. When he finds one, he doesn't give up. For their bites, a little benydril(sp) and children's liquid motrin does the trick.

Tude, Glad to hear she recovered. I have herd that weiners were fearless. If I were to get tagged like that, I think I would probably just croak on the spot!

To discourage snakes , I've heard that you can use Cedar (either plank or chip form).. thats supposed to be like a snake repellant or something.
My preference is to make an example of everyone I see and blast it full as many holes as possible.

No advice given on the use of a hoe. But if you want or need clarification:

If you have trouble with snakes getting in your boat carry a very long handled hoe to use to help them into the water. If you have a problem with snakes on land, chop their heads off with a sharp very long handled hoe, unless you have a shotgun handy. Then you can blow them apart several times.
Never shoot a hole in your boat or chop a hole in your boat.
Hope this is clear enough for some.