Parking Security

Bob , Boats are not targets but out boards are. Most trailer boats that are stolen are recovered with the out board tore off. Chain saw the fiberglass around the motor and haul it off for detail work later. Its not the boats they want its the motors, electronic, downrigger, and gear.
 
I don't know about boats and boat things, but I have had several breakins in Seattle, two in my office and two in my labs. The thieves, which police say were likely professionals, took only items that hadn't been indelibly marked, and left far more valuable marked items. The officer that investigated said if they were caught with marked items police simply had to call or email the owners and that would tie the person to the theft. It is also nearly impossible to unload these items to pawn shops. We also had items stolen out of backpacks students had stored in a room a few years ago during a honor ceremony, and only unmarked cellphones and computers were taken. Using a scribe (i.e. Dremel) or equivalent might help. My radio, charter, etc., are all etched with my name, cell phone and email.
 
starcrafttom":1f29oxcy said:
Bob , Boats are not targets but out boards are. Most trailer boats that are stolen are recovered with the out board tore off. Chain saw the fiberglass around the motor and haul it off for detail work later. Its not the boats they want its the motors, electronic, downrigger, and gear.
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Tom you are absolutely correct; in many cases the motors are what they are after.
That is why I posted the story about the boat with twin 300 Yamaha's being stolen in Miami recently--boat found intact 5 hours later, stripped.

However in S. Florida the entire rigs are also targeted--the thieves get them to Cuba--then used to run from people and drugs from Cuba to Mexica. There are hundreds of these stolen boats Seized by the military in Mexico--Typical:

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Over the years I have had a couple of incidents, The most serious was a stolen 7.5 Honda kicker. Probably professionals, the storage facility had contractors in there who had the gate codes. I had the Honda locked to the transom with a padlock through the holes in the ears on the retaining screws. They simply cut through the handles behind the lock, cut the fuel line and left with my engine. Guess they didn’t take the 75 because it was too heavy. After that we moved to a fully enclosed storage space with a roll up door. So far after many years, no problem. I told Ellen that if it gets to where we can’t afford the storage space, we will sell the boat. We also have a travel cover, so now the C-Squirt is only out in the open when we tied up and doing something ashore. I agree you can’t stop somebody who really wants your stuff, but I think you can cut down the odds.
The enclosed storage area has another significant benefit in that it keeps the rain, snow, dust and uv rays away and makes it much easier to hook on and head for the water.
 
We also have a travel cover, so now the C-Squirt is only out in the open when we tied up and doing something ashore.
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Is this a cover you use to trailer, and / or to leave on the boat when it is in the water? If so, how is it secured to keep it tight, and from blowing off?
 
Bob, I can also trailer with my cover on. It's a custom made cover, and fits to just below the blue trim just below the gunnels. There is both a draw string that goes around the entire cover, and then there are rubber cords (sort of like bungies, but just round heavy duty cords), that are attached to upside down J hooks on my trailer. The cover is pretty much the same type of material used on Semi Trailers. Lightweight, but fairly strong. I don't normally trailer the boat covered however, due to less fuel efficiency from the extra drag. Colby

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colbysmith":3rtqz61f said:
But it's beginning to sound like you guys have a real problem in the PNW.
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Not really. I had a bike taken off a roof rack at my house in Seattle years ago. I'm pretty sure it was stolen by a guy from Lake Stevens. That's where the crooks live.

I've posted some pictures in my album about my security stuff. It's pretty much self explanatory. My radio requires a square drive screwdriver to remove. Most electronics are cable locked if it is parked. Spare tire lock. The side lockers (heater and fishing gear) that I installed have locking latches. Also combination locks for wheels. I like combination locks all set the same because otherwise I'd have a pocket full of keys. Actually, I stash the keys in the tow vehicle. I keep some of the important spare keys in my secret stash area, also known as the plastic steering wheel center.

When I leave the trailer by itself, I stash the pin out of my folding tongue (and fold it) making it obvious that it would require quite a bit of "work" to get away with it. "Work" seems to be a powerful deterrent.

I once chartered a boat that had a "welcome mat" alarm on it that the owner hadn't told me about. It took us a surprising amount of time to figure out what was causing the alarm to go off. I wouldn't have stuck around if I had been up to no good.

I should probably get a set of locking lug nuts for the trailer wheels. In order to get 15" wheels that were narrow enough to fit on my trailer when I added brakes, I had to order aluminum "gasser" wheels, popular on 1950's street rods. They might attract too much attention.

Mark

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Bob Austin,
Previously I put together a reply and for whatever reason, it didn't post. The boat is still put away for the winter, lots of other stuff going on. Soon I'll bring it home and when I do can send some pictures of the full cover, cockpit cover, and sun shade. I probably will have to email them as I don't do well posting them.
 
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