Motor and Boat "Security"

[jgmcbee]

I have a 12foot Jon Boat and a 1982 7.5 HP Evinrude. I like to use it to access hunting and wade fishing areas where I occassionaly get separated from the boat by great distances.
This type of motor does not have the a safety "kill switch". It could be started by anybody, anytime. I have a lock between the motor's screw clamps, but that could be easily defeated.
How can I secure this motor to prevent some low-life from taking it and the boat and leaving me stranded? Any ideas?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

if they want it you cannot stop them. that is just the way it is.

 

[Topol_86]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

Bring a friend that's got alot of time on their hands to sit and watch the boat

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

if they want it you cannot stop them. that is just the way it is.

how true .i would think a rattler or two placed in the boat as guard snakes would do the trick!

 

[asdasc]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

I would guess that there are ways to make it more difficult. Like any thing, if you can make it more difficult to take than the next guys, it might convince them to leave yours and take the other guys instead.

Next you need to figure out what is the most likely situation you want to prevent. On a 9.9 with a 12' jon boat, there are 3 things you might need to protect for:

- someone stealing the whole boat/motor/trailer. A hitch lock should make that more difficult
- theft of the motor off the boat while sitting on the trailer. A good solid screw eye somewhere on the boat with either a chain or cable going throught the handle on the motor would make that more difficult.
- theft of the boat and motor while you left it beached and wandered off to hunt. The best way to protect it is to make it difficult to start and drive off. You could pull the spark plugs and keep them in your pocket, or even pull the plug wires under the hood. You could put a key on it that shorts the kill switch wires when in the off position.

Hope this helps! Like the others have said, if they really want it, they will get it, but you can make it more painful for them and hope you left them without the proper tool to take it.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

If you're way out in the boonies, then the only way the theiving scum can make off with your boat is by running the motor, and that shouldn't be to difficult to disable the motor in some real slick way that they couldn't figure out in a hurry. Stuff a little clean rag in carb, disconnect a wire, or a dozen other ways. I have a canoe with a 3HP gas motor that only weighs 25 lbs.(easy to remove/carry/steal), and I have worried about the same things as you. 25 years now, and no thieves, so far! Better knock on some wood!

 

[jgmcbee]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

Some great ideas! Especially, the snakes .
Would removing 1 plug disable the motor?
Maybe i could hide the gas tank some where.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

Remove spark plug cap, put small piece of clear plastic like heavy Saran wrap over top of plug, replace cap...it'll never start and the crooks won't figure it out! Test it to make sure it works!...lots of ways to skin that cat!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

You need just enough to keep an honest man honest.

First, padlock the motor to the boat (as you did). You can also use a 6' bicycle cable, loop one end through the handle on the gas tank, go under a seat, and padlock to motor. protects both. A thief out in the boonies is likely to grab you gas can more than the motor.
Second, take the gas line out with you (or stash nearby in the bushes). We used to "lock" our 13' Whaler that way, it's enough to keep wayward teens from hopping in and taking off.
Third, if you hunt where there are trees on the bank, carry a length of cable with eyes and padlock the boat to a tree.

I'd be afraid I'd drop the plugs if I carried them out with me. I like the plastic on the plug trick the most--or electrical tape. You don't want to risk stranding yourself.

I leave my boat staked in the marsh while hunting, too, but I don't have to worry about other people. I worry about it coming untied, though! So be sure to carry your communications device with you.

 

[oklahomariverfisherman]

Re: Motor and Boat "Security"

Tie a German Shepherd up to your boat or maybe a rottie. Problems solved!