Association Forum - Preventing Outboard Theft.

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Preventing Outboard Theft.

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

sodonnell
1st Mate

Member Avatar

76 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/30/2005 : 22:11:52

There have been several outboard thefts where I keep my C-25 in recent years.
For that reason, I generally stow my engine in the cabin.

It's a real hassle, I'm hoping to be able to leave the engine on the mount this season.

I'm wondering what everyone else uses to secure their outboard besides the standard masterlock setup.

Scott

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2005 : 23:19:12

This has been kicked around here quite a bit.
Remember, nothing is foolproof, all you can do is "slow 'em down" or discourage them.

Thread ideas in a nutshell.

Clamshell lock over mounting screws.
Quality cable lock looped through handle, mount, rails.
Bolt engine to engine mount. Use 'odd' spec bolts (allen, torx, left hand etc)
Make it an unattractive target with a 'custom' paint job, prominent lettering of boat name etc.
Wire in an alarm circuit. If the wires to the motor are cut, sound alarm, turn deck lights on etc.

Dunno if I forgot anything.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2005 : 11:24:47

<font color="blue">... Wire in an alarm circuit. If the wires to the motor are cut, sound alarm, turn deck lights on etc. - Bruce</font id="blue">

Hi Bruce,

This came up in a thread a couple of months ago, but there were no details explaining how to do something like that. Is this the sort of thing that an electronically challenged person could do?

Thanks!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2005 : 20:53:40

"electronically challenged person could do?"

Should be quite simple to do. I think that car or home alarm components could easily be adapted to create a 'motor theft' alarm. The wire to the motor forms a simple 12V loop that supplies voltage to a NC (normally closed) relay. (Voltage supplied to it holds it open). If the circuit is cut the relay closes, which turns on the alarm. Probably comes as a 'prefabricated' kit...
power to alarm, loop to motor and bob's your uncle.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2005 : 21:08:35

Or you could use one of those personal alarms that are about as big as a pager and are activated by pulling a lanyard connected to a pin. They emit an ear piercing sound and I think you can get them for around $15-20.

Edited by - dlucier on 05/01/2005 21:09:01

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2005 : 23:06:03

I was Googling for the high-voltage boat "fence" protection package when I discovered [url="http://aqualarm.net/store/boat-security.asp"]Aqualarm[/url]:

Although, I still want to install a high-voltage, proximity "alarm".

"Move your smoking carcass away from the outboard."

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 04:19:57

As Clam said, all you can hope for is to slow 'em down or discourage them. Locks really are to keep honest folks that way. Above all, insure your engine for replacement cost, if possible.

Bob...back from London

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1009 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 07:45:16

I don't make mine TOO hard to remove. I would rather have a missing motor than a broken transom. Of coarse I have an older sailmaster.......HMmm 4 stroke........................

Tom.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 12:37:42

It's been my experience that you don't want to present a challenge to thieves. Some thieves just can't resist a challenge. It 's like their calling demands of them that they circumvent any and all obstacles placed in their path. Some years ago the boaters on Neguntatoque creek were experiencing an alarming number of thefts of outboards from boats in the water. A fellow with a brand new speed boat and one of those inline Mercuries thought to protect his new rig by through bolting everything to the transom, chains and such. To some it appeared to be fool proof and for a while it was. Until the challenge was accepted and the motor was chainsawed off the transom.

Motor gone..boat sunk..

The advice to be adequately insured is about it.

Val on Calista # 3936

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 17:04:36

1. Insurance is cheap when you need it.
2. Dock your boat bow in, so it's harder for thieves to get to the motor. Not impossible, but harder.
3. No one seems to be interested in my 20 year old Mariner 2 stroke. After the fact that it still runs perfectly, that seems to be a good reason to not replace it unless absolutely necessary.

Brooke

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 20:44:31

I once bought a trailerailer with a nice Mariner motor. I painted the motor duckboat drab camoflage and put on the clamplock unit. No problem, even though others were targeted. Motor ran perfectly, despit "nasty" paintjob, regartds, ron srsk Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

georgiaboater
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
72 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 20:48:42

I agree.....Bow in.....with the lock bar key down...so at least there is some amusement/knowledge in knowing the thieves were trying to drill out the lock on the back of the boat in the normally choppy waters of the sound where it is slipped.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2005 : 22:57:17

I use the machine thread version (see link below) to "secure" my outboard motor to my motor bracket. One special tool for the screw head and another for the nut.

http://www.tamperproof.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products

I've never put a lock on my outboard . . .

Edited by - on

Charlie Vick
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
423 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2005 : 08:48:27

A couple years ago a few determined souls anchored about 100 yards ouside our cove, donned scuba gear and proceeded to swim up under the marina. Their goal? To steal as many lower units off I/Os that they could get. I think the count was 11. A daunting task for sure but at several thousand dollars a piece it was well worth their effort.
Just goes to show, if they want it bad enough they'll take it.
Insure and secure enough to deter theives but not enough that they damage you boat getting it off. IMHO
Luckily I have an old Evinrude 7.5 which isn't worth anything to anyone but me so I haven't had any problems. (Now comes the sound of knuckles rapping wood!)

Edited by - on

MikeM
1st Mate

Members Avatar

72 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2005 : 12:57:53

I use a real basic approach. Buy a lock wire that you woul duse on a bike, with open ends. Wrap it around the railing base on the stern and thread it through the handle on the motor. Get your self a good brass lock (oil it up) and you are all set. I leave mine locked all the time, even when running becuase the wire is long enough.

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2005 : 21:22:04

I also have to agree with Brooke and Atgep. My current engine is a 1987 'Rude 9.9 2 stroke that still starts on the first pull. I think the current market value is around $200. That alone may dissuade thieves. I'd love to replace it with the Nissan 9.8 four stroke, but as long as it's cheap, ugly looking, works, and appears not worth stealing...

Bob

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

Members Avatar

921 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2005 : 21:54:36

I found this while I was looking for something else. Alarms that are activated by the removal of canvas snaps. They also have accessories for the theft prevention of outboard motors.
http://www.canvassnapalarm.com/

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 08:55:53

Unfortunately, if they want it, you aren't going to stop them, only make it difficult.

Getting to know your neighbors is always a good thing, every eye you can get looking after your stuff always helps. I used to have a 1979 Johnson 9.9. It was insured for replacement value of $1000 even though it was worth about 100. Back then I all but hung a sign that said please steal me. Now that there is a 1 year old electric start alternator 8 hp tohatsu sitting there I am a little more concerned.

I agree with most - if you make it too difficult its a challenge and a lot more than a replacement motor.

Make sure its on your insurance.

Edited by - on

Gambit
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 12:20:28

My father taught me that a lock only keeps the honest people from stealing something. I just have the clamshell over the mounting screws for my Johnson 9.9. Just hope for a good neighborhood and with alert people and make your boat harder to rob than another one.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2005 : 19:41:25

I have an outboard lock installed, but it would be easier to simply cast off the docklines and sail the boat away.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2005 : 10:02:43

Don you're the MOST

usually thinking outside the box. Some motor theives,however set up shop in their garage, arranging the motors here and there. Your thief would have difficulty competeing with the average guy

unless he organized an in water boatshow.

Val on Calista # 3936

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

Members Avatar

921 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2005 : 20:37:36

So there is something to be said for the old Zephyr Saildrive after all.
Can't steal that, and, who would want to?
I knew there was a benifit to using this motor just took me a while to figure it out.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.