Preventing lower unit theft

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preventing lower unit 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!

stealing LU's from boats at docks is crazy. The thieves have to be boaters, too, and I thought we had a code!

With the popularity of boat lifts, such thefts would be like working in a garage service bay. Makes it mighty easy. Someone could just go down the line at a marina and drop them all.
Surprised that it doesn't occur more with props-a lot easier to steal and transport. You could fill your boat up!

In our area, last year, someone was raiding boats, dockboxes and pier houses by sea but they were eventually caught; low level thieves selling the stuff locally.

About 40 years ago someone stole a small motor boat from our pier, towed it out to the middle and there removed the engiine. But they were kind enough to leave it anchored so we could retrieve the boat. It was wierd seeing it sitting out there. Thieves today wouldn't have that much class.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Shrew, very well stated! But you can do more the just talk to the suspect and of course call the police as soon as you know there is a crime being committed, that should be at the point you know someone is illegally on your property, that is trespassing and is illegal in every state of the United States.

Please note that I completely agree with Shrew in that everyone should KNOW YOUR RIGHTS as a Citizen of the United States! Now in every state I know of you can effect a citizens arrest which can include using a gun to effect that arrest but if your suspect runs I would not use deadly force to prevent the escape of a person committing a property crime, some 30 states have castle doctrine to provide you protection under the law but lets face it does anyone want to hurt or kill a person for attempting to steal a lower unit? Or is the idea really to hopefully arrest the person or scare the beejeesus out of him.... most likely if the person committing the crime sees you with a gun he is going to drop the property and put his hands up but if he drops the property and runs that is fine too the cops are still on their way and I am happy and I still have my property, if he runs with the property I still have him, good luck out running me carrying a lower unit.

Also like Shrew stated the Media lately should provide you with clear evidence of what you are likely to endure if you do shoot someone you THINK MAY HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME. Use the resources that are given to you by right and let the Police do their jobs after that.

I'm probably one of the biggest second amendment guys on this site but it is INCREDIBLY important you know your gun rights in the state you reside.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Hopefully this doesn't turn into a second amendment thread.

To the OP, I'd go with a motion light mounted on the house/garage and a battery disconnect switch. Both are relatively easy to do and will ward off most thieves.

 

[MWG2600]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Just let the lower unit or outdrive corrode onto the motor! if its stuck they cant take it.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

What you need is a 12 gage (for you) and a baseball bat or rusty old knife (to place in the perp's hand).

I kid!!! Or do I ???...

Bear traps? Man-sized snare trap? 240 volts attached to the motor? Thieves suck.

Honestly, motion activated lights and a dog are probably the best bet. Maybe the cameras as mentioned if this is a recurring problem in the area. Most of the time all you need to do to avoid becoming a victim is to NOT be the easiest mark.

 

[terence1]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Here is an update on the theft attempt of my lower unit.
The police have called me and they now know who was involved in the heist attempt. (Run Carlos, Run... the popo are looking for you)
They found out by the finger prints they took off the engine.

 

[sprobst]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

They actually took prints? I thought that was only in the movies. I've never seen that in real life (regarding theft cases).

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

good news and good to see the police take action on smaller crimes. you got to stop the small ones if you want to control the big ones.

 

[fmalott]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

sorry to get in late but holy s%*t those anti theft locks are expensive. i just bought a brand new outdrive for my boat the old I-R outdrive would of cost just as much to rebuild as it would buying brand new. i know it's cheaper to buy the lock instead of replacing the outdrive man they get you coming and going LOL!

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

How about some RED LocTite on one of the bolts? Not too many thieves carrying a torch around. You may just end up with a couple of missing nuts.

 

[salty87]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

can you back it up to a wall when you park?

 

[rickryder]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Put a wood block down and lower the drive on it.....lock the main power switch.... pretty simple

 

[terence1]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Here is another choice for lower unit locks
http://www.captmikesstopthief.com

 

[terence1]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

No wall, I back it in beside the house. I can only see the bow of the boat from the side door.

 

[dmtalon]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

my dealer (Her Marine in Cincinnati) puts stern drive locks on all boats they sell. The package says McGard stern drive lock.

 

[terence1]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft UPDATE

Re: Preventing lower unit theft UPDATE

It's been well over a year now since this guy tried to steal my lower unit. The police caught the guy in less than a month after the report was filed (By finger prints). I have to go his attorney again for another deposition (3rd time). I think he wants it to go to trial or something like that. I hope this will be over soon.

 

[notop]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

After reading this thread, I'm wondering if anybody has replaced their LU bolts with security-bolts? I think most LU bolts are pretty standard sizes, and I'm pretty sure you can get stainless security bolts. Anybody?

 

[briangcc]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Nope. But you do know that Harbor Freight sells a set of bits for security bolts really cheap right? And if you happen to lose that McGard keycode that ships with the lock set, you can take a good digital picture of the key lock, call McGard, and for around $20 have (2) keys made to fit those locks?

Point is the best you're going to do is slow the thief down.

 

[java230]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

Nope. But you do know that Harbor Freight sells a set of bits for security bolts really cheap right? And if you happen to lose that McGard keycode that ships with the lock set, you can take a good digital picture of the key lock, call McGard, and for around $20 have (2) keys made to fit those locks?

Point is the best you're going to do is slow the thief down.

Yes but slowing them down will help. Just want to be harder than the next guy, or hard enough to get them to give up.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Preventing lower unit theft

A relatively cheap anti-theft device, is to find someone like me to make a nice, professional looking small sign that says "SMILE! You're on WEBCAM!"

Mount it where it can be seen. Doesn't matter if you have a camera or not. It will deter most wannabe thieves...