Boat security ideas while in slip

[nextboat1]

Hello, I'm looking for some ideas or experiences regarding boat security while my boat is slipped for the summer. The marina that I dock at has security cameras directed towards the parking area, but nothing directed towards the boats themselves. I have spoke with the marina owner in regards to adding some additional cameras and was told that he would look into it. Nevertheless, I'd like to reassure myself by adding some additional security features.

I have checked out a few boat alarm systems online, but all of them are set off with motion. I believe that just the small wake from boats going by will trigger the alarm. Also, the marina is sort of secluded and what good is an alarm if no one is around to hear it? Are there any alternatives?

Also, I have heard horror stories of boats that have had their dock lines on done resulting in havoc. Is there anything out there to prevent this?



Any tips or expertise on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Honestly your best bet is insurance....

 

[thumpar]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

If there is wifi available you could get a wifi camera of your own. We have a Dlink that we use. You sign the camera into your account and you can watch it on your phone or record it on your computer.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

If you have concerns then dont slip your boat there.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Honestly your best bet is insurance....

That's about it. Do the obvious suff. Stow loose gear in the cabin and in storage areas n the boat. Lock the cabin if you have one. Take the GPS and fishfinder with you when you leave the boat.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

^ yep, don't leave anything of value out in the open where it could be coveted. hate thieves :tsk:

 

[tazrig]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Check out

SPOT SATELLITE MESSENGER :: HOME PAGE

It will call your cell phone and or email you if your alarm is tripped. It can be tripped in wide array of ways all user programable.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Unless you're planning on sitting in front of a screen watching 24/7 those cameras are of little use. Your best defense is going to be your neighbors and their friends. Get to know them, make friends, and they'll keep an eye on your baby for you. Oh, and never look at your worn dock lines and say to yourself "I'll fix that next weekend."

 

[gm280]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Sad to say but most any provisional security system you could reasonably install will only keep honest people honest. Same with any house door locks and dead bolts. If a thug/thief wants what you have, they will most certainly take it...period! I mean just watch the news most any day and see the thugs rob, steal and holdup others on camera and seriously could care less if their identity is shown. It existed forever but most certainly is more wide spread these days with a generation of "I want it and I'll take it" mentality anymore. So like previously stated, get some quality insurance, take loose valuable items with you and hope for the best when you arrive back to your boat again. If you are really serious about theft, you could install a GPS tracking system like Lo-Jack or other new tracking systems and locate your stolen boat if that should happen. But even that would have to be a very a concealed and powered system the thieves don't know exist... JMHO!

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

We just kept anything worth anything off the boat when we left. We also never locked it; if someone wants in they will get in no matter what you do and was not interested in replacing the door to the cabin.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Sad to say but most any provisional security system you could reasonably install will only keep honest people honest. Same with any house door locks and dead bolts. If a thug/thief wants what you have, they will most certainly take it...period! I mean just watch the news most any day and see the thugs rob, steal and holdup others on camera and seriously could care less if their identity is shown. It existed forever but most certainly is more wide spread these days with a generation of "I want it and I'll take it" mentality anymore. So like previously stated, get some quality insurance, take loose valuable items with you and hope for the best when you arrive back to your boat again. If you are really serious about theft, you could install a GPS tracking system like Lo-Jack or other new tracking systems and locate your stolen boat if that should happen. But even that would have to be a very a concealed and powered system the thieves don't know exist... JMHO!

Thats unfortunately true. All you can do is make it just a little bit harder for them and all things being equal they will go on to the next boat or house.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

As others have said, remove the portable valuable items from you boat or keep them out of eye sight. As for the boat itself and depending on the engine type and how the ignition system is configured, you can pull the spark plug wire that runs from the coil to the dizzy and then lightly rest it back on top to make it look like its connected. Keeps anyone from actually getting the boat running and no thief is going to troubleshooting starting symptoms- he'll likely move on to the next easy target.
If you have "that" boat that someone just wants, there is nothing short of insurance that will help you.

 

[jc55]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

I'm designing a system now and bench tested it. It's in the Electrical forum, look under my name. The Scytek G20C car alarm is $29, has an external shock sensor that can be disconnected, and the alarm will still work. It's just a matter of being a little electrical savvy(not much) to run a closed loop system which allows you to trigger hatches and mooring lines. I'll have both my outboards, hatches, mooring lines and pilot house door protected. I have a marina cam pointed directly at my boat as well.

I understand the "marine" wiring and component classification argument to follow. No one made what I needed.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

nowadays if some lowlife wants your stuff they will walk right in front of a camera and carry it off with alarms blareing, they just don't care and have no issue taking a life, even a cops if he gets in the way. if you have something you don't want stolen, don't leave it out to be seen

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Honestly your best bet is insurance....

This is exactly what I would invest in, trying to predict when, how, or if a thief will strike is kind of wasted energy and time. Have you experienced problems with theft?
Throw a hidden kill switch in, if it make's you sleep better at night.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

get insurance, and video tape all the items on board at least once or twice a season.

stow items out of view, or bring the electronics with you.

A good friend keeps his electronics in a rolling pelican case in his truck. when he gets to the marina, he pulls the case with him, loads his GPS, marine radio, ect. on board, and puts the case below in the aft cabin.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Just a note on insurance. My insurance has an agreed value of the boat. There is another agreed value for things on the boat. Make sure your value for things on the boat is enough. I think the default for mine was $1,000

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

insurance... video- yea,, buy a good HD unit... video/pic data at crime scenes is only helpful when cam quality is good... even today, most banks have very old systems,, why dont they ugrade?? FDIC baby!!

 

[shrew]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

A motion sensing alarm should not go off if the boat is rocking. It is based on the motion across the field of view of the sensor. Everything on the boat rocks together. So unless you have a bucket rolling around on deck the alarm should not go off.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Boat security ideas while in slip

Another great question regarding any alarm installed is what you would actually do if it went off? I mean calling the cops is one thing, but beyond that what good will it really do? I do know most LEO's will not charge you for 1-2 false alarms, but after that you are billed, same applies to commercial alarms. And if you are in a gated marina and your alarm goes off, what will the LEO's be able to do? I guess I really don't see much value, kind of like a car alarm, when they go off, no one even bothers looking in that direction these days. Putting that $$ towards a good insurance policy with little or low deductible, that's bet I could see me taking. I have never had a single item taken from any of my boats, homes, cars, anything ever.