Anybody use a propeller lock?

[Campylobacter]

I just purchased a lake cabin with a boatlift. I have never worried about security in the past because the boat fit into my garage. Everybody on the lake keeps their boats on the lifts year round, but still I'm a bit concerned.

If figure I can lock up the boat, keep it covered, cut the power to the lift, but that still leaves my shiny SS prop pointing out to the lake. I was thinking about getting one of these:

http://www.iboats.com/Propeller_Lock...-view_id.39203

Looks great (but pricey), and I like the idea of a "passive" system that I don't have to unlock every time. Any thoughts? Any other tricks to use on the lift would be greatly appreciated.

[mthieme]

Never.
They just take the boat 'round here...occasionally, the whole motor. Never just a part or two.

[ebry710]

I am interested in the concept of a prop lock. I guess it is like lug nut locks.

Your question answered a question for me, do I want a SS prop? No, not if it is something to steal.

I can't think of anything on my boat that can't be sold on eBay. My thought is that my boat has to be fun, not pretty. My boat has to be invisible to thieves and yet to the people in the know and me, the boat has to be "cool".

My best method to prevent most thief is to keep my boat stored out of sight and yet under my watchful eye. A thief's job is to find high value or useful item and make them his. I figure if he doesn't know I have it, it is not worth his time looking for it.

But up at the lake where props fall off, your prop might save someone boating experience, hence a prop lock.

[45Auto]

I've thought about putting one on my boat, and it stays in the back yard!

Won't hurt anything, and it could easily save you the hassle of a several hundred dollar new prop by keeping a couple of kids from unbolting yours and selling it to a pawn shop for $20 .......

[Expidia]

I just purchased a lake cabin with a boatlift. I have never worried about security in the past because the boat fit into my garage. Everybody on the lake keeps their boats on the lifts year round, but still I'm a bit concerned.

If figure I can lock up the boat, keep it covered, cut the power to the lift, but that still leaves my shiny SS prop pointing out to the lake. I was thinking about getting one of these:

http://www.iboats.com/Propeller_Lock...-view_id.39203

Looks great (but pricey), and I like the idea of a "passive" system that I don't have to unlock every time. Any thoughts? Any other tricks to use on the lift would be greatly appreciated.

If you think a $63 lock is pricey . . . how much is your second SS prop going to cost you? Once they steal the first one you will need to replace it and now you are out the price of "two" SS props . . . Wanna bet you will get the a $63 lock after all that. . . . (this is called learning the hard way)!

or you could bite the bullet and buy the lock now!

Most insurance policy's have deductibles so they won't pay for a replacement anyway.

[lowkee]

Maybe you can save the money on the lock and open a nearby pawn shop .. is it considered recycling if you own the boat and the pawn shop?

I guess the big problem is removing the entire outdrive is only mildly more difficult than the prop. With a prop lock, you may actually be inviting that instead of just the prop.

[mthieme]

You could pop the prop off and put it inside.

[boat1010]

Sure it is worth it. Just like the lock on your door. Or the locks on your car. Do you leave your car unlocked? Do you leave your house unlocked? If the answer is yes, then a prop lock is not needed. But if the answer is yes then I would say a prop lock is a very good investment. It will help to give you the piece of mind when you are away, just like locking your house when you leave. Props are expensive and most people know that. Another way is to engrave the prop with your name. That also detours "some" thieves. $65.00 is pretty cheap when you are looking at a $300 - $600 prop. But the piece of mind is priceless. And as everything locks usually keep the honest people honest. the thieves usually figure out a way around things.

[ebry710]

Sure it is worth it. Just like the lock on your door. Or the locks on your car. Do you leave your car unlocked? Do you leave your house unlocked? If the answer is yes, then a prop lock is not needed. But if the answer is yes then I would say a prop lock is a very good investment. It will help to give you the piece of mind when you are away, just like locking your house when you leave. Props are expensive and most people know that. Another way is to engrave the prop with your name. That also detours "some" thieves. $65.00 is pretty cheap when you are looking at a $300 - $600 prop. But the piece of mind is priceless. And as everything locks usually keep the honest people honest. the thieves usually figure out a way around things.

I have to agree, but I never have though about locking a prop......just like at one time I never thought of locking the door for my house. It was the advantage on not living in a big city. Now thieves travel to places were the unsuspecting live and exploit the innocent (now called naive).

[jevery]

I lock about everything they make a lock for. Props, outdrive, hitch receiver, alloy trailer wheels, trailer spare (double lock). I’ve been the victim of theft, and learned most of my lessons the hard way. Haven’t yet lost anything with a lock, even though some of them could easily be cut through with the right tools. Those darn prop locks are the most expensive of the bunch.

[lowkee]

That's weird. I found that same part for less money on iboat, simply by going to that part from a different series of clicks..

$58.90 via http://www.iboats.com/Mcgard_Reg_Pro...view_id.259683

vs.

$63.74 via http://www.iboats.com/Propeller_Lock...-view_id.39203

Same part #, different price.

[Campylobacter]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I am sold on the need to lock (or at least take off) the prop while away for the week. I was wondering if anybody has used this particular type of lock. I've seen some that look like a the automobile "club" that have a hook that goes into the prop and then around the outdrive, and some that lock onto the end of the prop and cover the nut.

None of which would protect the lower unit, something I had not even thought of! eek:

[45Auto]

Although I haven't put a lock on the propellor, I do have one of these (similar concept) on the outdrive:

http://www.iboats.com/Stern_Drive_Lo...-view_id.39201

[matt9923]

I have never had anything stolen i relay don't know why? If its under 5k its unlocked and not to hard to take. But at the same time i live a 1/2 mile off the road in the woods and i am constantly shooting guns. Their have been 3 boats stolen down the street right out of peoples driveways. I know a lot of people and anything that has aver been stolen in a 3 mile radius i know who did it because thief's are dumb and talk to much. As far as i am concerned if i see you stealing from me bullets will be headed your way...

You could have a lock nut made if you know anyone with a shop or lathe. I am probably going to make one myself as well as lock my motor to the transom and lock my trailer. Any type of lock will detour a thief i know of vary little of things being stolen with a lock on them. I have stolen things back in the day....(small things like under $100) ya it was stupid but if you leave stuff unlocked untended and nobody around then you asking for it to disappear.
Matt

[ezmobee]

One of local marinas here requires! anyone with a Mercruiser outdrive to have outdrive locks on them if you store your boat with them.

[ebry710]

I am still blown away by the need and common use of propeller locks. What ever happened to a cotter pin and trust? What else do they take? engine covers? trailer lights? antennas?

Kinda sad....but I going to buy a propeller lock. Do they corrode in salt water? Are they generic or is there a better brand?

[Rocky_Road]

I caught myself looking into a locking prop nut...then pictured myself trying to put on my spare prop out in the Gulf of Mexico, after hitting another oyster bed!

Decided that I didn't need another 'part' (lock key) to mess with, while treading water behind my stern unit...praying that I didn't let it slip from my busy fingers!

[krakatoa]

C`MON my friend 63.00 its not pricey regarding peace of mind also how much cost the prop???? If you feel better just go ahead..

[H8tank]

Back your boat in the slip like the big boys do.

When I say big boys, like the 27+ footers you always see backed in.

[ebry710]

I caught myself looking into a locking prop nut...then pictured myself trying to put on my spare prop out in the Gulf of Mexico, after hitting another oyster bed!
Decided that I didn't need another 'part' (lock key) to mess with, while treading water behind my stern unit...praying that I didn't let it slip from my busy fingers!

C`MON my friend 63.00 its not pricey regarding peace of mind also how much cost the prop???? If you feel better just go ahead..

These two threads sum up my dilemma. Peace of mind (not cost) vs another part.

I am assuming the prop lock is similar to a lug nut lock which uses a special socket to remove them (looked them up on iboats). Are they any harder to remove then with a socket set? What happens if the special socket fall into the "drink"? Can you get a replacement?

[AZSenza]

I has one on my last boat with a stainless prop, just KEEP the key HANDY! To solve the outdrive theft issues, they also make an outdrive lock, same thing a locking nut. In todays society-people will steal anything. My boat is in the backyard, behind a locked gate, patrolled by 3 Great Danes and a Chow-St Bernard mix. Theres a Dane in the house too just in case they take that route. I have been stolen from just about everywhere I've ever lived and as long as I've had "Stuff" to steal. All you need to do to stop a regular thief is make it JUST hard enough to go somewhere else. I'd have one on my Bravo III but cant find one??? I DO have a drive lock though.

[Expidia]

This is not a bad solution for those of us who trailer:

http://www.durasafelocks.com/product...ne-ts-TR1.html

But it won't work for boats that are mostly docked! The locking prop nut is better for that.

Both solutions are about the same cost.

[ebry710]

This is not a bad solution for those of us who trailer:

http://www.durasafelocks.com/product...ne-ts-TR1.html

But it won't work for boats that are mostly docked! The locking prop nut is better for that.

Both solutions are about the same cost.

I like that solution. I hate special lug wrenches. Maybe when I am more organized I can keep special tools in a special place.

[Expidia]

I went into West marine as their site says they carry the T-Rex transom protector with the prop lock bar. I have a $100 gift card so I figured if I did not like it I could return it easily.

But of course they did not have one. He looked it up and it said they have discontinued buying them from the manufacturer.

I wonder if they had problems with the design? Anyone use a T-Rex with the prop lock out there?

After I read this thread I realized how quickly my Mercury Prop could be stolen. It's not stainless but it is held on just by the prop nut. I'd say 30 secs and its gone. That would ruin my day if I came out from one of the lake motels and no prop. I'll order a T-Rex off the web!

I hate West. I wanted to pick up another spray can of the black Quicksilver paint. The last time I bought it for $12.99 and I thought that was high. This time they have in it's place a spray can of West Marine black for props, out drives and lower units for $36.99 West should do the consumer a favor and go out of business!

[Rocky_Road]

I went into West marine as their site says they carry the T-Rex transom protector with the prop lock bar. I have a $100 gift card so I figured if I did not like it I could return it easily.

But of course they did not have one. He looked it up and it said they have discontinued buying them from the manufacturer.

I wonder if they had problems with the design? Anyone use a T-Rex with the prop lock out there?

After I read this thread I realized how quickly my Mercury Prop could be stolen. It's not stainless but it is held on just by the prop nut. I'd say 30 secs and its gone. That would ruin my day if I came out from one of the lake motels and no prop. I'll order a T-Rex off the web!

I hate West. I wanted to pick up another spray can of the black Quicksilver paint. The last time I bought it for $12.99 and I thought that was high. This time they have in it's place a spray can of West Marine black for props, out drives and lower units for $36.99 West should do the consumer a favor and go out of business!

How about a T-Rex for $45...and shipped free?

On eBay, as I type...only 10 left:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T-REX...ssoriesQ5fGear