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Boat security ...

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/21/2002 : 13:48:01

Hi everyone,

The more money and effort I put into restoring my boat, the more I think about the possibility that someone could break into it when I'm not around. It sure would be awful to get ripped off or vandalized. <img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>

Have any of y'all installed a security system of any sort? I was thinking of rigging something simple ... like a really loud horn/siren (battery-powered) that would go off if a hatch board was removed. I don't have ANY past experience or expertise with this sort of thing, so I'd appreciate any ideas y'all might have.

Thanks!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2002 : 18:21:10

Buzz,

You have valid concerns about theft or vandalism, but you must remember that locks only keep honest people out. I am fortunate in that the marina I moor at is also where the county sheriff's moor their boats and theft and vandalism are almost nonexistant. Even with this security, I double lock my outboard and remove my portable high ticket items such as my handheld GPS and portable radio from the boat every time I leave it. I have a new autopilot which I'll probably take with me also. As for locking up the boat, I usually lock it up, but last season I didn't even bother. I figured if someone wants to get in, a little lock on the hatchboards or on the cockpit lockers won't be much of a hindrance. If there is no lock on the hatchboards and someone does get into the boat at least they won't damage the hatchboards prying off the lock. I know some boaters who put a lock on the hatchboards, but don't actually lock it. Their logic is that from a distance it looks locked and this might deter the casual thief of opportunity from entering the boat, yet if a determine thief wanted to get in and when they go to pry off the locks, they will see that they are not locked and hopefully would not damage the boat. Anyway, I think that most thieves would take the easy route and just unzip the powerboat that you are parked next to.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2002 : 23:05:51

Buzz: Have there been any incidents where you keep your boat? Like Don, we have a pretty safe situation--a town-only club with a night guard and the police boat in one of the slips. I haven't heard about any losses (except to raccoons!) The first thing I'd worry about is our new Honda, which I'll lock a little more securely than our older one (which I sorta hoped somebody would steal <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>). If we were on a mooring where people could approach on a boat at night, I'd be more concerned. I agree with the principle that the pros will get into anything, while the amateurs will probably skip a boat that looks locked, or damage one that is locked. Your alarm scheme might help (after the damage is done)--it might also annoy a few people when you set it off opening your boat, or when the wake of a passing boat sets it off...

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - on

Rick Heaverly 86 C25 5382
Navigator

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Belize
206 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 07:48:58

I guess we are lucky that the owners of the Marina live on the property. But, anything can happen. I would not like to be on board Invictus sleeping when someone else's alarm went off, especially if they were not around to shut it off!

I keep whatever valubles locked in the dumpster (port lazerette). I figure that it would be much harder to break into that than the cabin.

Rick Heaverly

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 08:39:58

And then there are those theives who respond to a challenge. Some time ago the Great South Bay was having a rash of break ins...mostly motors being jacked off the sterns of boats. A fellow with a large run-a-bout put on a new outboard ( 200 H.P.) and bolted and locked and chained it to the transom...AHA a challenge...a glove to the face of the faceless . Shortly after they came with chainsaw in hand and took the outboard, transom and all.
Lesson learned don't challenge the theives... be sure your insurance is paid up.

Val going in this a.m.

Val Bisagni

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 08:56:40

I know a boater, in a less protected mooring, who has two cowls for his outboard motor. The original one is put up while the second one is distressed and made ratty looking to discourage potential thieves. The bonus is that when he goes to sell his outboard, the original cowl is brand new and the motor looks like it just came out of the crate.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 11:15:43

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I know a boater, in a less protected mooring, who has two cowls for his outboard motor. The original one is put up while the second one is distressed and made ratty looking to discourage potential thieves. The bonus is that when he goes to sell his outboard, the original cowl is brand new and the motor looks like it just came out of the crate.

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Don,

D I A B O L I C A L L Y C L E V E R.... something like the phony covers snapped over expensive sterios in cars parked on the street. $39 Radioshack look-a-like covering a really expensive unit below.

Val Bisagni

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 11:44:18

I think I'll make a big tarp that looks like a Hunter 260 and drape it over Passage! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 12:18:45

I had my Honda 10 stolen 2 years ago. Theyy came into the marina at night and lifted it off of the stern. Since then I have a woven steel bike lock type cable and a good lock wraped around the engine and bracket. It may not stop a determined theif but they will have to make a bit more noise to get at the motor this time. I also have insurance and plenty of pictures for records. One last intallation that works is mounting one of those shreeking personal jogging alarms inside the hatch. Its a lanyard and pin type so if you slide the hatch open just a little it goes off. If you dont know its there it makes one heck of a racket.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 12:38:24

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
... One last intallation that works is mounting one of those shreeking personal jogging alarms inside the hatch. Its a lanyard and pin type so if you slide the hatch open just a little it goes off. If you dont know its there it makes one heck of a racket.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Douglas,

This exactly the idea I had in mind ... in fact, I'm bidding on one of those gizmos on eBay right now. I agree with all of the other posts so far, especially the ones about alarms that go off and are nothing but a nuisance (several cars in my neighborhood go off every time we have a storm).

Do you have any idea how it was hooked up?

Thanks!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 13:23:02

Knock on teak, we really don't have much to take or a problem with people taking it. If they want to get in and grab the radio, or take the outboard...Let em have it. Our insurance is a replacement cost coverage so I would rather pay the deductible, than have to pay for damage of them hacking something away or ruining something trying to get in....As a matter of fact, do you know anywhere where I can get a sign that says, feel free to steal. That 1979 Johnson 9.9 would look much better if it were a 2002 Honda :)

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 national Org.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 04/22/2002 13:24:00

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 14:20:05

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
As a matter of fact, do you know anywhere where I can get a sign that says, feel free to steal. That 1979 Johnson 9.9 would look much better if it were a 2002 Honda :)
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

You could order a 2002 Honda cowl, put it on your Johnson, and see if that'll make it "disappear"--sorta the reverse of Don's friend's idea...

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - bristle on 04/22/2002 17:26:21

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 19:14:39

Instead of a shrieking alarm, how about one of those "barking dog alarms"?

If you can, try to get a slip next to a bigger, nicer, and more expensive boat. Kind of like parking next to a really nice vehicle when you go to the mall and hoping that the criminals will go after the better one(in my case that's easy, when I go to the mall everyone has a better looking vehicle).

Don Lucier, Northstar
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 19:15:19

The alarm was mounted on the wall adjacent to the hatch and the lanyard was attaced to the hatch. When the hatch slides open it pulls the lanyard and pin that activates the alarm.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2002 : 21:34:38

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The alarm was mounted on the wall adjacent to the hatch and the lanyard was attaced to the hatch. When the hatch slides open it pulls the lanyard and pin that activates the alarm.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Thanks Douglas ... I was wondering how he kept from setting it off himself. I suppose it would just be a matter of rigging it so that you could reach inside before you pull out the hatch board and disable it ... I'll see what I can come up with.

Anyway, this seems to be a pretty economical way to provide at least a little bit of security.

Thanks again!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2002 : 14:33:13

Now I understand why no one has stolen my 1985 Mariner 9.9. Drat. I was going to use ALL that insurance money for a new Honda or Yamaha.

Brooke Willson

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Bristle
Admiral

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USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2002 : 15:31:22

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Drat. I was going to use ALL that insurance money for a new Honda or Yamaha.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Brooke: I just bought one... Your insurance money might not cover the sales tax!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

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