Preventing lower unit theft

[terence1]

I was wondering if anyone has come up with a device to help prevent the lower unit from being stolen?
Someone tried to remove the lower unit from my Suzuki 150 last week. They removed the six bolts but not the seventh one from under the trim tab. My wife found the bolts in the grass next to the boat. I had not even noticed they where gone and now I am thinking what could have happen if we had gone out fishing with those bolts missing???
We have had some thefts resently in our area. One neighbor had the engine stolen off his boat. With all this happening, the police are stepping up patrols.
What are people using to help prevent thefts of their boats and engines???

 

[fishndirk]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

I don't think there's anything that can be done to the lower unit itself. Cable and lock maybe, depending on shape and design of the motor. Around here if people are going to store or put their boats on sale for a while they just remove the lower unit but if it a rig that you use often than you don't want to do that. I would then just suggest keeping your boat in an area with restricted access like a fence with lock. If not that maybe have a motion activated light pointing to where it sits. If not that then keep it within easy visual shot of a main window in your house. No suggestion is full proof though, its just a litle sef insurance. Sadly the bottom line is if somebody really really wants to get something from you their probly gonna get it. Eventually they will get shot, caught, dog mauled, handcuffed, ect...you get the point

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

http://www.lowerunitlock.com/

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

if that's a one-time thing, nothing realistically to do. If it's a recurring problem, you are parking your boat in the wrong place. It's similoar to the propeller theft question a while back.

for example, I keep my trailer in a cheap storage lot, but if I left my boat in there, it would be stripped. So I don't. Problem solved.

 

[terence1]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

I guess the wrong place is at my home??? In my yard, behind my locked fence??
The police said "You have the right to protect your property".
I will like to catch this theif.
We also live close to the everglades ...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

I would suggest a big dog and a 12 gage.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

I guess the wrong place is at my home??? In my yard, behind my locked fence??
The police said "You have the right to protect your property".
I will like to catch this theif.
We also live close to the everglades ...

no, in that case, as I said, if it's a one-time thing, you're probably doing all you need to do. Flood lights, especially motion activated, will do more good for less effort and money than many other methods.

And before we get into another round of gun-waving and chest beating, no, you can't shoot someone who is in the yard or driveway stealing your stuff. Don't take the cop's comment to mean that you can, and never take the "legal" advice here that to do so, is legal.

the scary part about your story is the "what if" part--who checks the bolts on the lower unit before using the boat?

 

[fish hook]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

put a trail cam out there - at least if he comes back, you know who it is.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

WOW! This happened in Ft. Lauderdale Fla.? I never woulda thunk it!

Yeah, motion activated flood lights, a trail cam, and a noisy dog or 2 will keep most thieves away. If one doesn't stay away you'll know when he's out there, you'll be able to see him, and have his picture.

 

[DustDiesel]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

put a trail cam out there - at least if he comes back, you know who it is.

Make sure you bolt it down. I caught a guy stealing a neighbors game camera from a tree on his cabin property, he walked by my property at night and I have cameras. You may be better off with a small Camera/DVR combo package.. You can pick up a 4 camera with low light package for under $400. Set it up yourself and be able to monitor more of your property. I would do a search on Dealnews.com (Sale tracking site) to see what store has them on sale.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

You need to train yourself some Watch Ospreys. Bad Guys don't stand a chance when Gertrude and Heathcliff are on watch.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

A few years back, my cousin had the lower unit stolen off his 200HP Evinrude while it was tied up at the dock at his cottage. The thieves stood in the water and removed it in place sometime overnight. That was the only time he ever had any problems with theft.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

no, in that case, as I said, if it's a one-time thing, you're probably doing all you need to do. Flood lights, especially motion activated, will do more good for less effort and money than many other methods.

And before we get into another round of gun-waving and chest beating, no, you can't shoot someone who is in the yard or driveway stealing your stuff. Don't take the cop's comment to mean that you can, and never take the "legal" advice here that to do so, is legal.

the scary part about your story is the "what if" part--who checks the bolts on the lower unit before using the boat?

Depends entirely on which state you live in.

 

[oops!]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

i would suggest a big dog and a 12 gage.

yep.......a b f d

 

[jdlough]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft



Make sure Gertrude & Heathclif have backup arranged.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Im with the 12 ga and the police saying protect your property cause after all you do have the right to shoot intruders. and as for the cameras you can get a cheap 8 camera dvr kit at compusa for like 300 dollars on sale (like every other week) and its a good kit for home if dont have much for floodlights it should still work.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Lowering the motor all the way down, then killing the power in the boat, using a lockable main disconnect, will slow them down.
Pretty hard to get it off if you can only drop it down 6 inches.


Turn the disconnect off, then slide the "key" (red knob) out of the switch.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

good advice , roscoe; plain and simple. In fact, a regular battery switch would help, since most thieves aren't going to climb around in the boat looking for the switch.

Bad advice, ryanlewis. bad bad bad. And from Florida, at that.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

A few years back, my cousin had the lower unit stolen off his 200HP Evinrude while it was tied up at the dock at his cottage. The thieves stood in the water and removed it in place sometime overnight. That was the only time he ever had any problems with theft.

A friend of mine had the same thing happen to his Johnson 225 at his place in the Finger Lakes, probably close to 20 years ago. He didn't even realize it until he went to back out of his slip and nothing happened. He went to the back of the boat, figuring maybe the prop spun off. Was quite surprised to see all the bolts neatly tucked in the motor well and NO lower unit!

 

[shrew]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

I guess the wrong place is at my home??? In my yard, behind my locked fence??

You have folks breaking into a locked, fenced yard and attempting to stealing property. You have neighbors also reporting thefts. I guess you're right. Perfectly safe.

The police said "You have the right to protect your property".
I will like to catch this theif.

I urge you to learn and clearly understand your rights. Local news lately should clear things up a bit. If they're in your yard and stealing you only have the right to talk to them, or call the police.