Boat Security Questions

[agallant80]

The wife and I have decided that we like coastal cruising more than sitting in the sun on the local lake. We are going to leave the boat at a storage place on trailer next season in South Port, NC. Reading around the internet I see a lot of my outdrive,electronics, boat, trailer etc got stolen. I was wondering what some of you do for boat security. I plan on doing the following

1. Ball lock for hitch
2. Pin lock for hitch
3. Lock to lock the spare tires to trailer frame
4. Outdrive lock nut

What do people do about their electronice? I read about people taking the VHF and plotter off of the boat every time. Is there a better option than that?

 

[BRICH1260]

If theives want something bad enough they will find a way to get it. That said I am still a firm believer in doing more than the average guy to make sure that they have a hard time if they choose to pick on me. Hopefully they will move on to an easier target. What you have listed above is about all that yo can reasonably do without making it such a chore to ramp the boat that you loose intrest in boating. Striping the boat will probably happen before the entire boat is stolen, and the easy stuff, electronics, prop, personal items, tubes, ski`s, life jackets will be first choices. I would leave as little vaulables in the boat as possible, especially your easily removed electronics. Pick a storage area that has a good measure of security, fence, lights, ect.

 

[Bob_VT]

With the invention of the battery powered sawsall not too many things are safe from thieves. Do your best and carry a good insurance policy.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If theives want something bad enough they will find a way to get it. That said I am still a firm believer in doing more than the average guy to make sure that they have a hard time if they choose to pick on me. Hopefully they will move on to an easier target. What you have listed above is about all that yo can reasonably do without making it such a chore to ramp the boat that you loose intrest in boating. Striping the boat will probably happen before the entire boat is stolen, and the easy stuff, electronics, prop, personal items, tubes, ski`s, life jackets will be first choices. I would leave as little vaulables in the boat as possible, especially your easily removed electronics. Pick a storage area that has a good measure of security, fence, lights, ect.

actually, I know of a few boats that someone backed up with a dually 3500 crew cab and drove off with in broad daylight. if a thief wants it, like Bob said, get insurance.

Agallant, you can get a tote on wheels and keep in your truck. that is what I have done when on vacation. put the electronics, flare gun, spare parts and tools in the tote. makes it easy to take on board and then put back in the truck. the pin locks and ball locks only keep an honest person honest. a bit of nitrogen from those aerosol computer cleaning cans and a blow with a hammer is all it takes to shatter the locks.

 

[Silvertip]

Quick release mounts for electronics makes removal of those items a 10 second job. Anything left at the boat will likely not be there for long when left unattended.

 

[greenbush future]

Where ever you store it, make sure they have good security, fencing, gates. Make sure you have good insurance that covers everything you leave on the boat. Many policies don't cover extra's like GPS, fish finders, ski's or any added items. Be careful about assuming anything when it comes to insurance. Stainless steel props are an easy target for thieves. basically anything that isn't welded down, spare tires and even the one's on the trailer being used now can/will be messed with.
Rather than worry, just get a good ins policy and leave nothing on the boat.

 

[doyall]

Insurance is mandatory but it will not cover showing up at the storage facility every other week and finding out that you can't boat because some critical item is missing or it takes forever to make a police report. And the insurance company will get tired of paying claims at some point. Take everything you can when you leave, even if it takes a little time and effort, and secure what must remain using the best methods available.

 

[midcarolina]

If you are talking about one of those self storage facilities that is absent a resident......good luck! we all have to decide what price we are willing to pay for a certain level of security.........Look for a storage facility that has a resident manager.....they are usually a retired couple that will keep a close eye on the property, also pick one with lots of quality security camera's........ these steps may not stop every theif, but you want to make the risk not worth the reward.

 

[ssobol]

If they want it bad enough they will get it. There are people who secure the OB motor to the boat very well and then find that the thieves have merely taken a chain saw to the transom and removed the whole thing. Apparently this happens a lot in the UK.

 

[bobdec]

Boat was in the water at a slip in the marina, with a combination locked gate to access the dock, and a badge access gate at the parking entrance. They sat in two of my folding chairs (left them open) to get comfortable as they unbolted and removed the dash mounted depth finder housing and wires, also left two empty cans of Coke for me to throw out. Must have gotten thirsty with all that work ! Bottom line, insurance and a mind set that anything left in an unattended boat is expendable. Heck just went out Friday and found my outside deck mounted fire extinguisher missing, just another day of boating, got spares in the cabin.. .