outboard motor security

[givingman]

Hello,<br /><br />I have recently gotten through a long waiting list for a slip at my local (unguarded) marina. Now I have anxiety about jerk-proofing my boat. It's an older hull Whaler and not pretty, so what I worry about the most is the 3 year-old 40hp Suzuki. Does anyone know if those spinning nut type items offered by McGard.com are any good at detering thieves? Any experiences or other suggestions?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Nigel

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: outboard motor security

Welcome to the forum. You can't do much to prevent a really determined thief. What you can do is use any kind of security device available that will slow him down in stealing your stuff. The longer it takes, the more leery he will be to take it on. Sounds bad to say it, but if he sees all this slow-down stuff on one boat, he just may move on to the next one. Have insurance for just-in-case.

 

[crab bait]

Re: outboard motor security

i have a 40 on mine.. i installed one of those outboard locks that goes across the 'wing T' bolts that crank/clamp the motor to transom... along with two lower bolts thru the transom.. <br /><br />also,, i bored another hole thru transom an installed a 'bar bell'/ 'bow tie' trailer hitch lock.. <br /><br />the lock was alittle long as per transom thickness an mite/could be cut .. until i added a few ss steel nuts on the shaft to take-up the slack..

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: outboard motor security

Thieves are smart at thieving - usually nothing else. Put something unfamiliar in their path and as jack said - they will move on. Try changing the through tramsom bolts to allen heads. Add a safety chain. The lock thing through the 'T' handles. A 'pretend' alarm light.<br /><br />Use your imagination - they can't.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[givingman]

Re: outboard motor security

Thanks, all. Sounds like "belt and suspenders" is the way to go. Throw more time and more trouble in the way and improve your chances.<br /><br />Great forum. I look forward to participating and, of course, learning from all.<br /><br />Now I just have to decide how to secure my battery, anchors, electronics' mounts, bilge pump... ;-) A friend even had someone defecate in his boat. Ah humanity...<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Nigel

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: outboard motor security

you can say the word"poop" its ok, we dont mind

A friend even had someone defecate in his boat

no need to clean up the talk on my behalf

 

[roscoe]

Re: outboard motor security

The locks over the t handle spinners are a joke when it comes to a real thief. They cut dads, and the chain, and were gone in less than 3 minutes.<br /><br />They will slow down the ameteurs though.

 

[delsol]

Re: outboard motor security

allen bolts sound ok, but i seen where a thief wants that motor so bad he will bring a cordless saw and cut your transam...up north in nj i seen where they steal whole boat take in to a area where no one is and go to water that not very deep and take a hole saw and cut whole on front of boat and let the front sink then on merc.s they then unbolt the outdrive and just leave boat and steal your 3k outdrive

 

[lewkster]

Re: outboard motor security

I used lock tite on everything. Wont stop them but maybe discourage them from the time it takes to get it loose. My boat is inside now, but soon out for the winter for storage. So, gonna invest inna thick stainless steel cable lock thru motor thru wheels( your boat could use a cable at a dock I would guess)Also saw a ball lock at a locksmith shop, goes inside ball area then locks made of decent thickness cast iron. This is sad to repeat, but i have friends who have had there tire stolen on the boat trailers at public loading ramps. Spose someone hadda a flat and took theres. So locking lugs for no other reason then i dont wanna deal with the irritation. I had a friend whose boat was stolen taken else where stripped to nothing. He got a bill from impound for towing and a couple days storage.

 

[crab bait]

Re: outboard motor security

cordless tools are the theifs best friend..<br /><br />especially a dremel tool..

 

[Solittle]

Re: outboard motor security

Adequate insurance is a great fall back.