Simple way to prevent gas thieves

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Several years ago at the dock, there was guys coming into the marina by boat late at night. They would run a hose down your gas fill and use an electric pump to get your gas. I tried the locking cap, but they have all the time they need to pry and chiesl it away.

I've come up with a simple solution. I've taken two blocks of oak 1x4x10 inches. I drilled a 3/8 inch hole thru both blocks at each end. I then got 2 stainless carriage bolts 6" long 3/8 dia. I run the bolts thru each end of the two boards and then used stainless wing nuts plus washers. This is basically like a clamp. I put my fill hose between the boards and tighten down the wing nuts smashing down the fill hose. I don't tighten it down all the way, just enough to keep a hose from being pushed thru. My bilge compartment is locked down, so there is no way they can get into it. I'm going to put it on when I leave the boat and then remove it when I return for the weekend.

At least this is the way I'm going to try to keep my precious liquid from being stolen this year. I can't see why it won't work.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

Could your fill hose be damaged by continuously crushing it? I wouldn't think that would be good for it.

 

[nlain]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

Even if he has to change the fill hose every year it is still less than a lost tank of gasoline.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

How about chaining a pit bull by the boat?

 

[new_boater]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

how about putting a heavy screen over the inlet to the tank and sliding the hose back over that
if you have a bend or loop of some kind in the hose they shouldn't be able to push through the screen either.

 

[joed]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

I think all cars made now have anti-siphon screens in them. It prevents the hose from going into the tank. I would check out some auto wrecking yards and retrofit one to your boat.

 

[traderdavel]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

I read on a forum about someone switching the waste and gas labels for the caps. Solve two problems with this. Keep your gas - get your holding tank pumped!!

 

[kalla man]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

YES!
hahahah
that would teach those SOB's a lesson

 

[bhammer]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

It has been a while..... I took a peice of brass coupler a little smaller than the size as my fill hose, cut a 1/4 inch slot in the "top" and "bottom" of the coupler and the brazed a peice of brass screen in. I then cleaned it up and slid that into a coupler the same size as the fill hose. Cut the hose between the boat tank and the fill cap and inserted that in. Keeps anything from going down to the tank, including kids toys!

If I remeber, I picked it up for all under $25 and think the parts were used in industrial HVAC. I think from Grainger.

 

[BamaAlum97]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

I imagine that this will be an even bigger problem this summer. Not something I had thought about before, but now you've got me thinking. I would hate to show up ready for a day on the water only to find my tank was empty. My marina is gated, but that would not stop someone from approaching via water. I wonder how effective overnight security patrols are? Probably average at best.

I like the anti-siphon screen concept. I am going to look into that.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

My 24 footer ?...simple...covered the tank filler (on the back) with a 4 inch plastic "Vent", 4 screws..(90 gallon tank..fills seldom anyway, and carry a small drill for removing the screws..and also have screws into some of the "storage" stuff inside...makes it a witch to unscrew with a "hand driver"...to much time too deal with..they move on to the next ride. They look like simple vents to the bilge....and they had better not see me watching our "Cams" on the internet.. pointed at the marina and one my boat...be there 30 seconds..unlocked and loaded...

 

[dave11]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

I read on a forum about someone switching the waste and gas labels for the caps. Solve two problems with this. Keep your gas - get your holding tank pumped!!

Love your solution

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

Gas is very hard to syphon when the boat is sitting in the water. When it is on the trailer, then it is easy to do. thieves are ruthless people and don't have a care on harm they can do to property.

The marina I'm at requires a pass to get in, but there is access to the docks only by boats that are launched at the public ramp. These are the ones that we have to watch. I've had friends to come down to the dock to find that either their boat has been ransacked or GONE!

Thankfully there is always someone on our dock with their boat, but they do sleep sometimes.

I know my method is unusual but it works for me. My fill line is easy to access thru the engine compartment. I only need to remove it when filling otherwise I'm going to leave it on. It shouldn't hurt the hose since it is flexible. That is why I don't smash it down all the way so as not to cut and amage it.

As for sreens,,,, with a drain or johnny snake one can rip thru them to get their hose where it doesn't belong.

I'm also a bit worried this year with the scrap metal prices soaring. Lots of bow rails,fittings, windshield frames and other stuff that can be salvaged will be a target for the thieves. Lock up your aluminum anchors if you have them too! Good luck and hope the thieves don't target your boat/property.......SS

 

[new_boater]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

just as a possible help to others i found this link to some anti siphon devices
http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/cgi-bin/ryderfp/products/srm/oid/144002/pn/Fuel-Anti-Siphon-Device-3-x-7.0/erm/product_detail.jsp


i am sure there are better ones out there

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

If your gas tank has a seperate vent or it can be pressure tight, why not put a quarter turn ball valve just below deck?

Believe it or not, I have had beach bums try to steal my fuel also!

I worry more about pure vandalism these days. That is why I carry a spare parts kit on the boat that has things that would never wear out in use.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

Believe it or not, I have had beach bums try to steal my fuel also!

Man, I couldn't imagine lugging all that coal or wood from your boat to theirs. And how many steam boats could there really be.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

Man, I couldn't imagine lugging all that coal or wood from your boat to theirs. And how many steam boats could there really be.

Some of the smarter thieves might bring a mule along, or perhaps even a horseless carriage with which to haul away their ill-gotten goods.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

Some of the smarter thieves might bring a mule along, or perhaps even a horseless carriage with which to haul away their ill-gotten goods.

Now that I think about it, those beach bums he's talking about probably needed more fire wood for their camp site.

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

take turns watching the docks with night vision, a 12 gauge with a buckshot and a paintball gun with the regulator turned all the way up if you see someone tampering with a boat start shooting them up with the paintball gun and call the cops. if they draw blast them with the 12 gauge..word gets out and thieves will move on to the next place. i have no sympathy for them..

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Simple way to prevent gas thieves

If your gas tank has a seperate vent or it can be pressure tight, why not put a quarter turn ball valve just below deck?

Now that's a good idea.