Happy New Year to you All
We live up a quiet lane and our boat Sushi is parked in the drive under canvas
My neighbour knocked on the door yesterday to say that he spotted two gentlemen coming out of my driveway and left quickly in a white Transit van and he suspected they were checking out the boat.
So I would invite comments on security matters.
Currently I have two wheel clamps fitted and a heavy duty steel cover surrounding the tow hitch and a padlocked steel security rope around the engine. One of the wheel clamps is a serious heavy duty job which cost about £300.00 and is of the type used on heavy plant on construction sites.
Do you think my security efforts are enough? What about a tracking device in the boat, have any of you fitted these.? I believe there are movement sensors available which set off an alarm; I think these are used by caravan owners.
Should I take the wheels off and leave the boat jacked up on axle stands, this would mean getting four axle stands as the trailer has two axles?.
The engine is also a collectable item. I believe there is a proprietary Yamaha lock available which can be fitted on one of the tramsom bolts. However I dont think this would deter a thief from undoing the large bolt which is part of the tilt mechanism.
Should I have the boat registered on the 'small ships register', I wonder if having your boat on a database is a major deterrent to would be thieves?.
Has anyone had their boat stolen form their driveway?
I'm thinking of digging a moat around the boat and filling it with alligators; do I sound paranoid?
I look forward to receiving any comments
Edward Carberry
Wed, 30/12/2009 - 5:03pm
#1
Boat Security
Edward
Sorry to hear about your worries.
It sounds like your security is greater than most!
It's a bit of a faff to get our boat off our drive and has taken quite some practice to get right. When we are struggling to get the boat off the drive on the way to a rally, I comfort myself by remembering that no thief would ever manage it!
Nevertheless I still fit a hitch lock and remove the wheels(which also protects tyres from UV). It also makes it easier to give the drums a quick spin now and then to guard against seizing.
I have a locking bolt on the motor mounting.
Above all, make sure your insurance is sufficient and that you do comply with all the small print.
Regards
Mike
Hi
I've heard that it is good practice to jack the trailer onto blocks so the tyres aren't 'stretched' whilst standing for a period. I would use concrete blocks rather than axle stands.. would make it well hard to tow..
Have you thought of digging a hole in the drive and embedding a loop.. with a chain under the boat (awkward to lock, but a nightmare to get at with a hacksaw? Stainless 1/2' bar would be horrid to cut too...
Motion sensor might be a pain in wind!
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is.
My son has a motorbike and has similar problems.
He has an armour steel ring anchored to the garage floor
The bike is then armour chained to the ring
Bits available at bike shops
If you leave the mast up it will delay the thiefs or
disconnect the telephones and perhaps worse in your area
Nice to see I wasnt the only one thinking about boats over the holiday
Mike....thanks for the tip about checking the insurance policy, it does indeed say that a recognised security device is used to secure the outboard. So I will order the Yamaha stainless steeel lock that fits over the engine mounting bolt on the transom
Restless and Allan .......I will check out the ground anchor with a chain looped over the axles. Looks like another project is looming
Cheers
Edward