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Cabin Lock?

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KiteKraemer
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191 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/27/2008 : 16:18:54

I had a 23" plasma screen in my car and was headed out to make the install on the bulkhead this past weekend, when all of a sudden the first mate/wife comes out and says, "Did you put a lock on the boat?! Don't even think about putting that TV on there until you get a lock!"

How many of you keep your cabins locked?

The meat of the question is this: I don't like the regular latch locks that are typically on the hatch boards in conjunction with a combination lock.
I was thinking of putting in a cam-lock. Does anyone have experience with these?
If I put one in, I'd have to drill a 1" hole in the sliding top.. and that's not reversable...so If I screw it up.. I've got to plug it... I did a search for lock and nothing came up.
-jeff

Unicorn
78•C25•SK
Hood River, Oregon
http://www.eclipsefilms.com/unicorn.jpg

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 17:01:15

No experience with cam locks (not sure what one is), but it's been my experience that locks on boats are mainly for show. I know some who don't use any locks to prevent the damage that might be caused by someone with a pry bar. If someone wants in, they'll get in.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 18:05:15

I agree with Don. When I first bought my boat, I bought a nice heavy duty padlock for my hatch. Turns out it was too big for the latch so I returned it. Then after thinking about it, I realized there really isn't much point in putting any real substantial padlock on. If someone really wants to get in, I bet a good kick to the hatch boards will bust right through. Even easier with most our boats is that little latch just has 4 tiny screws holding it into the wood which could be pried off easily. A cam-lock might help prevent sliding the hatch open better than the stock latch, but still someone could kick through the boards to get in. Just my thoughts.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 18:12:43

Locks deter the opportunist thief and wandering kids looking for something to mess with. The determined thief will get in anyway, but even he will take the easy target first. Mount the lock in the top hatch board so it rotates up to prevent the hatch from sliding. I forget, lose, or lock keys inside too regularly to use anything but a padlock. I have three 1/4" hardened locks with matched key patterns. I keep a key on each key ring (4), an extra in each car (4), and one in my computer case. I haven't been locked out since I started doing that last year after driving to Lake Erie in the Miata with no boat key on its ring.

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
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191 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 18:13:57

Good thoughts. (Justin--I just love what you did to your baby!)

Here's what a camlock is; http://www.americanlock.com/camlocks.html

Padlocks are bulky and yes, you can use a screwdriver and remove 4 screws to open it up--utterly pointless..

Maybe I'll put a "dummy" lock on it--something that looks like a lock-- so to appease the first mate!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 18:16:06

I have a regular sized padlock for the hatch boards and a channel lock on the outboard twist grip handles. My thought is that they acts as a deterrent. If someone really wants to they can get around both locks. They could also help themself to my solar panel but...believe most thieves would not be interested in it and probably would not even notice it or consider it.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 18:32:43

I have a small padlock on mine - anyone who wants in is going to get in without too much trouble.
I have a big yellow bike cable lock and a chain and padlock on my OB - in my experience there are two targets on boats, OBs and booze.

I leave my curtains open so that anyone pressing their nose up against the windows can see there is no booze.

My thinking is, if they're going to break-in, let them do so in the least destructive manner. I've discussed this with my insurance agent - they will replace an OB but contents of boat is limited to documented items such as electronics to a max of $500.

I suggest finding out what your insurance company will do in the case of a break-in.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 20:46:57

With the price of gas going up i'm more concerned that they'll go after my gas tank.

Edited by - on

stampeder
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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 20:58:45

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">With the price of gas going up i'm more concerned that they'll go after my gas tank.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I laughed when I first read that.

On second thought, my fuel locker is the only locker on my boat without a lock. A thief could very easily reach in and grab my six gallon gas tank with $25 worth of gas in it.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 22:24:59

Our boat has no curtains, yet. They'd have to climb over the boat and look in the water-side windows to see the radio, most of the time lifting up the cover that covers all of the windows too. O/B has a very sturdy lock on it. My companionway hatch lock clasp is situated so that the latch covers up all of the screws, and we use a 4-wheel combo lock on it because I have left the key at home before. now my hardest time id seeing the numbers on the dials id I forget my glasses.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 06:53:57

Our club had a rash of break-ins last summer. Items that were key targets were electronics (radios, GPS, VHF, speakers), Booze, and tools.

On the downside most of this stuff is worth less than the deductible, and the damage to the boats (kicked in hatchboards, smashed fibreglass) was small enough to make it les than worthwhile to file claims.

The upside of this is that our very active executive gave hell to the local cops for not keeping an eye on the place, and the town has hired a security company to have a presence at the marina. We now also have members taking "shifts" sleeping aboard their boats so that there is usually someone in the harbour at night. If something does go down, at least we will have witnesses on scene.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 07:56:07

At our marina, the owner lives in a house right at the entrance. If anyone comes in, he is in his truck and driving up and down the service road checking on who came in. Other than that, I can pretty much replace anything that is onboard. Since we don't have all the electronic gear of some, the value of what is there is limited.

Now if they took my booze, then we have something to worry about.

Edited by - cat1951 on 05/28/2008 07:56:59

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 08:52:53

After looking at the cam locks... I don't think they will be secure. The sliding hatch is very easy to break out of the teak channels by prying it upwards. You would need something to hold it down as well as keep it from sliding forward. Unless you took measures to 'harden' the entire area, the C25 is 'easy entry'... as are most sailboats.

> "I bet a good kick to the hatch boards will bust right through"

Justin, I don't think you'll kick the hatchboards inward.
Only Chuck Norris could do that... with a hard glance.

However, with a small crowbar an ordinary human could easily break them out (the wooden retaining channel would break).

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 10:15:07

I used a very small combination lock to get the kids to look at other boats. Anyone not deterred by that will get in.

23"--whew! That's a big screen in a little boat! Where'd you say your slip is?

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 10:58:11

Now that TV's are flat, it makes it much more comfortable to have one aboard.

I think the camlock is the sleekest "deterrent" out there. I know if someone wants in, they'll get in. I'd rather not have a lock at all-- thieves will do more damage trying to get around a lock-- and damage to a 30yr old boat isn't fun or enlightening to fix.

How about this.... some kind of stopper on the foward side of the sliding top-hatch? Somwhere near to the mast.... kind of like a stick in a sliding window...
that would make it seem like the hatch won't open

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 11:15:59

Clam, bashing through the boards came to my mind because I have a feeling it happened some how/reason on my boat during a previous owner's time. See this edge was at one time completely broken off:

The PO nailed a thin piece of wood on the back to keep it together and then when I completely refinished my teak the past couple months, I cleaned and filled in the crack with quite a bit of epoxy. Now you can't even really see the repair.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 12:06:38

We use a mid-sized lock with a 4 digit combination. I beleive it will deter the quick "grab and go" type of thief. Our latches are bolted from the inside so a screwdriver will not allow them to be removed.

Our club has a live-in caretaker and there is very little theft. Nearby public marinas have a bigger problem. Every now and then an outboard will get stolen from the public marina. I use a Stazo lock on the OB, Practical Sailor rates it #1.

They also make an interesting [url="http://www.stazo.nl/html/cabin_lock.html"]cabin lock.[/url]

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 14:40:00

On our 250 we have locks on both cockpit lockers, the anchor locker and the cabin. All four are keyed alike & we have keys on each of our key rings as well as two spares. I've only heard about gas siphoning going on in my marina, no other thefts so far. We have a night caretaker, although I've never actually seen him, and it's a small enough marina that we sort of know most everyone, at least a nodding acquaintance. I'm not very worried about any of my neighbors, but I see people paddling by in canoes, kayaks & dinghies all the time. So far none of them have looked like ne'er do wells, but you never know. If I saw someone who did, I'd make a note of it, and hope my neighbors would too.

I'm a bit worried about my new OB, the Stazo lock won't fit, and I'd like to find a substitute. I figure if they see a lock that's somewhat difficult to defeat, maybe they'll go steal my neighbor's Honda 8 that has no lock. Recommendations?

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 15:01:28

I have a 3 foot cable with loops on each end. I thread it through the motor mount and then just below the motor when it's raised. I put a lock on it. If a thief tries taking it -- it will slow them down -- alot.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 15:52:25

I have a lock on mine but its covered with hatch cover. And the cover is a bit tough to unsnap-1st line of defense! But I got lots of good stuff aboard so lock gives me piece of mind. But please keep it to yourselves.
Nothing to prevent thieves to take my 3 gallon tank or motor, however. Luckily my marina has video and low crime area.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 17:17:41

Here is a good article on outboard locks.

[url="http://www.sailmag.com/boatworks/BW8-Locks.pdf"]OB Locks[/url]

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 19:52:47

Randy, very good article. I wonder if Stazo ever goes on sale. Hope Paul gets something for his new Nissan!
Steve A

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 20:32:48

"Clam, bashing through the boards came to my mind..."

Aha... mine are a single piece of solid wood end to end.
You'd have to put some serious whoopee on them.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 21:54:46

Dunno if the Stazo ever goes on sale, but [url="http://www.sailorssolutions.com/index.asp?page=ProductDetails&Item=lock01"]SailorSolutions [/url]was the cheapest I could find it. I ordered one, then got an email from the manufacturer and realized it wouldn't fit. I called them, and they were great about canceling the order. Good customer service, I recommend them.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2008 : 08:35:42

Years ago some professional thieves made the rounds on the river where I dock my boat. one night they stole 6 OB's and a dingy. the next night they stole 4 more OBs, one of them was mine, which had a bar lock. A week later they stole the new OB that I bought to repalce the one that was stolen. The new OB had a new bar lock and a cable lock. I don't know how they got it off but they didn't even scratch the boat doing it. Now I have three locks on the motor but I don't realy think it's any safer because of them. I have changed marinas and I think that contributes more to safety than the locks
PS: Boat US insurance didn't even blink at the second claim.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2008 : 09:11:00

I'm of the mindset that if they want it, they are going to get it so minimize the damage. We currently keep the boat at a private club so any nonsense should be occurring via water access. But for the opportunity burglars we have a small master lock on the hatch boards.

When we used to keep it at a marina that was a bit more accessible to the general public we used one of these.
http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-Handheld-Personal-Alarm-SP640B/dp/B000E8P7ZG/ref=pd_sim_dbs_hi_title_6

Ours kicked out about 130 decibals. We jury rigged it so that if you pulled the hatch open too far without a disconnecting it the alarm would sound.

Edited by - Champipple on 05/29/2008 20:17:35

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