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Author Topic:   How to protect your boat from thieves

martyn1075 posted 03-21-2015 11:07 AM ET (US)
We all fear the possibility of losing our boat to a thief in some way. Sometimes as close as a few feet away in our own private space such as a driveway or in front of a house, which is exactly what happened to another contributor on this website. What can we can we do to protect ourselves from this theft? Or are we all victims one way or another no matter which method we store our boat in any location water or land? What have people have used before with success?
bkovak posted 03-21-2015 12:39 PM ET (US)
I have unbolted the hitch coupler from the trailer tongue if leaving it sit for an extended period. Most thieves probably don't carry one with them and the bolts needed to attach it. Those small coupler locks are a joke. I have also seen a club device that goes through the trailer wheel which looks like a good deterrent. Pretty heavy duty to have to cut through. Of course removing a wheel or two is even better.
Brian
jimh posted 03-21-2015 03:26 PM ET (US)
I don't live in fear of my boat being stolen. I try to take sensible precautions, but having the boat stolen is not something on my mind all the time.
porthole2 posted 03-22-2015 04:13 PM ET (US)
I think if someone really wants to steal your boat, they are going to steal it.
The coupling locks just keep the amateurs away.
There are several varieties of GPS transponders available now that "if" you boat is moved without your knowledge you get instant text messages and location updates.
Here is one that West Marine carries from Spot.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/ spot--spot-trace-theft-alert-tracking-device--15149297
I emailed Spot to ask how many Trace units can be monitored on one plan. There seems to be two plans, one basic, and one upgrade, which requires the basic.
If multiple units can be monitored on one plan, this may be a worthwhile item
Freddy posted 03-22-2015 11:14 PM ET (US)
Don't you guys have trouble up there in Vancouver with drugs and all kinds of crime?
Jefecinco posted 03-23-2015 08:10 AM ET (US)
I believe a "Denver Boot" type device offers the most security for the least cost and inconvenience to most boaters. The cost seems to range from around $100 to $200.
While it's well known that a smart and determined thief will overcome any security scheme there is a point when stealing your relatively low value property becomes too much trouble. I doubt any thief will use a flatbed wrecker to winch my booted boat trailer so he can drive away with it. A far more likely scenario is that he will steal the Porsche a couple of blocks away valued at three time the value of my Montauk.
The point of security devices to make the theft of less well protected items preferable/easier than mine.
Butch
martyn1075 posted 03-23-2015 09:56 AM ET (US)
Butch I think you are correct it's more of inconvenience to the thief. A pain in the but to bother with. I don't think like a theif because I'm not one, but I would imagine to break through one of these devices would entail machines which create noise, time, which means possibility of attention.
Perhaps the best method of protection is having good neighbours that are around. We ave 50/50 on our street. An angel on one side, and an armpit on the other. One guy will give his shirt to you in a snow storm the other one, well I'm sure he dreams about one day my boat been stolen. The first start of the year is always an interesting one booked on the calendar. I make sure its a good day with windows open.
FISHNFF posted 03-27-2015 02:42 AM ET (US)
I got paranoid reading a boat theft article back when I had my 17 Alert.
I went out with a tube of 5200 and covered the exposed threads on my hitch all, coupler, spare tire, winch, and jack.
I figured if any of these needed replacing, I would just cut them off with a sawzall.
To help prevent what happened to me again, im doing the above again plus
Install wheel locks
Install locks to engine motor bolts
Drill hole and install lock so jack cannot be swiveled
Chain wheels and/or use "U" style bike lock through wheel
Modify truck alarm so it activates when trailer plug is separated

FISHNFF

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Author	Topic: How to protect your boat from thieves
martyn1075	posted 03-21-2015 11:07 AM ET (US) We all fear the possibility of losing our boat to a thief in some way. Sometimes as close as a few feet away in our own private space such as a driveway or in front of a house, which is exactly what happened to another contributor on this website. What can we can we do to protect ourselves from this theft? Or are we all victims one way or another no matter which method we store our boat in any location water or land? What have people have used before with success?
bkovak	posted 03-21-2015 12:39 PM ET (US) I have unbolted the hitch coupler from the trailer tongue if leaving it sit for an extended period. Most thieves probably don't carry one with them and the bolts needed to attach it. Those small coupler locks are a joke. I have also seen a club device that goes through the trailer wheel which looks like a good deterrent. Pretty heavy duty to have to cut through. Of course removing a wheel or two is even better. Brian
jimh	posted 03-21-2015 03:26 PM ET (US) I don't live in fear of my boat being stolen. I try to take sensible precautions, but having the boat stolen is not something on my mind all the time.
porthole2	posted 03-22-2015 04:13 PM ET (US) I think if someone really wants to steal your boat, they are going to steal it. The coupling locks just keep the amateurs away. There are several varieties of GPS transponders available now that "if" you boat is moved without your knowledge you get instant text messages and location updates. Here is one that West Marine carries from Spot. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/ spot--spot-trace-theft-alert-tracking-device--15149297 I emailed Spot to ask how many Trace units can be monitored on one plan. There seems to be two plans, one basic, and one upgrade, which requires the basic. If multiple units can be monitored on one plan, this may be a worthwhile item
Freddy	posted 03-22-2015 11:14 PM ET (US) Don't you guys have trouble up there in Vancouver with drugs and all kinds of crime?
Jefecinco	posted 03-23-2015 08:10 AM ET (US) I believe a "Denver Boot" type device offers the most security for the least cost and inconvenience to most boaters. The cost seems to range from around $100 to $200. While it's well known that a smart and determined thief will overcome any security scheme there is a point when stealing your relatively low value property becomes too much trouble. I doubt any thief will use a flatbed wrecker to winch my booted boat trailer so he can drive away with it. A far more likely scenario is that he will steal the Porsche a couple of blocks away valued at three time the value of my Montauk. The point of security devices to make the theft of less well protected items preferable/easier than mine. Butch
martyn1075	posted 03-23-2015 09:56 AM ET (US) Butch I think you are correct it's more of inconvenience to the thief. A pain in the but to bother with. I don't think like a theif because I'm not one, but I would imagine to break through one of these devices would entail machines which create noise, time, which means possibility of attention. Perhaps the best method of protection is having good neighbours that are around. We ave 50/50 on our street. An angel on one side, and an armpit on the other. One guy will give his shirt to you in a snow storm the other one, well I'm sure he dreams about one day my boat been stolen. The first start of the year is always an interesting one booked on the calendar. I make sure its a good day with windows open.
FISHNFF	posted 03-27-2015 02:42 AM ET (US) I got paranoid reading a boat theft article back when I had my 17 Alert. I went out with a tube of 5200 and covered the exposed threads on my hitch all, coupler, spare tire, winch, and jack. I figured if any of these needed replacing, I would just cut them off with a sawzall. To help prevent what happened to me again, im doing the above again plus Install wheel locks Install locks to engine motor bolts Drill hole and install lock so jack cannot be swiveled Chain wheels and/or use "U" style bike lock through wheel Modify truck alarm so it activates when trailer plug is separated FISHNFF