Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

[rwidman]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

I take the key out of the flybridge ignition and I lock the cabin door. Not a lot else I can do but my boat is pretty unique in the area so it wouldn't be hard to spot. And it's really slow so a thief isn't going to outrun anybody.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

It is difficult to steal a boat with no tires.

My boat has no tires. No wheels either!

 

[18WCmerc]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

This is my favourite!! I'm doing this for sure!!

just make sure you slap a little grease on your studs so they arnt rusty come spring, and dont forget about the lug nuts come spring!

I put all my lug nuts on a string and put them on my boat key chain and just leave it in the garage or wherever you keep your boat keys.

 

[bow wow rider]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

Mine is usually kept in secure storage, but if I have to park it on the street for a night or two, the trailer has a swingaway tongue. I swing it off to the side, then run a cable and lock through the connections to prevent the tongue from going back together.

Technically someone could still hook it up to a hitch and drive off with it, but it would be a wild ride considering the tongue would be swinging the boat all over the place...

 

[metalwizard]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

We live in such a small town and CLOSE town that there is no worries.

Heck we see contractors pull into the grocery store or the hardware storw with all their tools and equipment in the back with the engine running keys in the ignition all the time.

I do have a trailer lock on my hitch, but I am rare to use it. Oh and I have my CCW...

I was loading some stuff in my jeep about a month ago, It's topless. (and It's never been messed with either) anyways. I left the keys in the ignition, and forgot about them. Next morning I'm like.. wheres my keys... oh yeah in the ignition.. went out it was still there. and this is a 2007 4 door with all the toots and whistles now..

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

I like the idea of a golf ball in the hitch. Simple, cheap and effective.

The problem with too much security (like removing wheels), and the inconvenience that follows, is you have become a victim of a crime that hasn't been committed yet. And around salt, I worry about stuff not coming unlocked, etc.. I also worry about forgetting the key to the lock, when I keep my boat out of town.

For the trap gun sign: the sign is fine, but you better not actually have the guns set (in the US).
For all the big talk about guns: You cannot use deadly force to protect personal property. You cannot, therefore, shoot someone who is stealing your boat out of the yard or from the dock.* But the threatening signs are fine. I love the one "if you can read this you are in range." Also a picture of a gun and "We don't call 911."

*That's the law. No need to post stories about people who did, and got away with it. You can only use deadly force only if you or another person is threatened personally. It varies state by state, but many states include in the definition of "personal threat" a stranger coming into your house, some places limited to night time, and a few may define a "personal threat" as just coming into the yard. Not many, though. Bottom line, you can't play sniper and shoot the thief in the yard from the upstairs window. No matter how much he deserves it!

 

[109jb]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

I have a fenced in area by my barn with 2 eye bolts set into 12" x 36" concrete filled sonotube anchors in the ground. A padlock and a hunk of chain around the axle secures the boat/trailer to the sonotibe anchor. I only do this when we are going to be gone an extended amount of time though. Other times I just park it out of sight.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

I use a tongue lock. I have a swing tongue so I also leave it open and put a hitch lock through the holes so the tongue cant close. Hopefully it slows them down long enough for the 45 Glock to catch up. If they're willing to manhandle the motor off the back I don't want to be messing with them in the first place.

 

[109jb]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

I like the idea of a golf ball in the hitch. Simple, cheap and effective.

The problem with too much security (like removing wheels), and the inconvenience that follows, is you have become a victim of a crime that hasn't been committed yet. And around salt, I worry about stuff not coming unlocked, etc.. I also worry about forgetting the key to the lock, when I keep my boat out of town.

For the trap gun sign: the sign is fine, but you better not actually have the guns set (in the US).
For all the big talk about guns: You cannot use deadly force to protect personal property. You cannot, therefore, shoot someone who is stealing your boat out of the yard or from the dock.* But the threatening signs are fine. I love the one "if you can read this you are in range." Also a picture of a gun and "We don't call 911."

*That's the law. No need to post stories about people who did, and got away with it. You can only use deadly force only if you or another person is threatened personally. It varies state by state, but many states include in the definition of "personal threat" a stranger coming into your house, some places limited to night time, and a few may define a "personal threat" as just coming into the yard. Not many, though. Bottom line, you can't play sniper and shoot the thief in the yard from the upstairs window. No matter how much he deserves it!

Except in Texas at night. The below is from Texas statutes:

Deadly Force to Protect Property

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect his property to the degree he reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, theft during the nighttime or criminal mischief during the nighttime, and he reasonably believes that the property cannot be protected by any other means."

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to pervent the other who is fleeing after committing burglary, robbery, or theft during the nighttime, from escaping with the property and he reasonable believes that the property cannot be recovered by any other means; or, the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the property would expose him or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. (Nighttime is defined as the period 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.)"

Protection of the Property of Others

"A person is justified in using force or deadly force against another to protect the property of a third person if he reasonably believes he would be justified to use similar force to protect his own property, and he reasonably believes that there existed an attempt or actual commission of the crime of theft or criminal mischief."

"Also, a person is justified in using force or deadly force if he reasonably believes that the third person has requested his protection of property; or he has a legal duty to protect the property; or the third person whose property he is protecting is his spouse, parent or child."

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

Interesting. As I said, it's state by state, and I thought Texas also had the "come into the yard" exception. But I'm certain if you surveyed the state laws you would find few others like this, that permit deadly force to protect personal property, or at least not this broadly.
Also, some law about what defines a threat is made by common law, and therefore is not in the statutes. This adds uncertainty.

 

[18WCmerc]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

Ohio has the castle doctrine, which gives your rights to use deadly force against someone who is unlawfully entering your home or vehicle while occupied. Im not sure about the grey areas of being in the yard or driveway, but it gives you the option to retreat to either car or home and utilize deadly force. lol i would have to consult a lawyer but if someone was stealing my boat i would assume i would have to jump in the boat (if even classified as a vehicle) and use deadly force while in my boat. lol maybe. I have my CCW but would rather just make my boat unstealable rather than just shoot everyone who comes near it lol.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

Simple
-Minimal crime here
...but, like QC said, thats what insurance is for.
Now
If I was to leave the boat someplace other than my yard or the marina where I keep it in season...then I would simply by a basic hitchlock. Thats it.
BP
All that said....we don't see too many gun fights or deaths over boat vandalism around these parts.

 

[DJ]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

There has been some talk about protecting property with firearms.

Here in AZ, Our "Concealed" laws were just made not necessary. In other words, the CC courses I took are now for nought-legally. I am glad I took them. They pointed out what is right/legal and not.

I have a CC permit but rarely use the privelege. Classes, bought and paid for but incredibly informative.

Just because you have a firearm does not give you "carte blanche" to use it. That is where a lot of people are going to get into REAL trouble. You WILL be presumed guilty until otherwise determined so. That could be YEARS.

Tips:

-NEVER/EVER pull out your weapon, unless you determine there is an absolute need to defend yourself. Property does NOT count. If you go screaming out in the driveway, brandishing a pistol, YOU will be arrested, NOT the thief.

-If you are determined to be under the influence of any mind altering substance, you are AUTOMATICALLY guilty. Read: PRISON.

Does that clear up some misconceptions on brandishing a weapon???

 

[109jb]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

No doubt that most states it is a no no to harm someone to protect property. I just always found the Texas law interesting. The law has been tested in the past though.

In real life for the rest of the country, about all you can do is scare them off which is probably more often than not accomplished by just turning on the porch light.

 

[18WCmerc]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

As an MP i have learned through the years that "articulating" your actions for documentation is key. However best to do things right.

bottom line you just cant rely on your properties securties with a handgun. As I like to say, poor preperation results in ****-poor performance, why should boat security be any different.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

I like the idea of a golf ball in the hitch. Simple, cheap and effective.

The problem with too much security (like removing wheels), and the inconvenience that follows, is you have become a victim of a crime that hasn't been committed yet. And around salt, I worry about stuff not coming unlocked, etc.. I also worry about forgetting the key to the lock, when I keep my boat out of town.

For the trap gun sign: the sign is fine, but you better not actually have the guns set (in the US).
For all the big talk about guns: You cannot use deadly force to protect personal property. You cannot, therefore, shoot someone who is stealing your boat out of the yard or from the dock.* But the threatening signs are fine. I love the one "if you can read this you are in range." Also a picture of a gun and "We don't call 911."

*That's the law. No need to post stories about people who did, and got away with it. You can only use deadly force only if you or another person is threatened personally. It varies state by state, but many states include in the definition of "personal threat" a stranger coming into your house, some places limited to night time, and a few may define a "personal threat" as just coming into the yard. Not many, though. Bottom line, you can't play sniper and shoot the thief in the yard from the upstairs window. No matter how much he deserves it!

You had to spoil this thread with facts!

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

Park mine on the trailer on my sideyard, its gated in but if someone really wanted it, it wouldnt be that hard to take, but thats what insurance is for.

My bedroom is on the second floor right above it also... So long as I heard them trying to take it, they would have to dodge a hail of gunfire, legal or not... i wouldnt be trying to kill them, just trying to scare them away

 

[metalwizard]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

Except in Texas at night. The below is from Texas statutes:

Deadly Force to Protect Property

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect his property to the degree he reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, theft during the nighttime or criminal mischief during the nighttime, and he reasonably believes that the property cannot be protected by any other means."

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to pervent the other who is fleeing after committing burglary, robbery, or theft during the nighttime, from escaping with the property and he reasonable believes that the property cannot be recovered by any other means; or, the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the property would expose him or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. (Nighttime is defined as the period 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.)"

Protection of the Property of Others

"A person is justified in using force or deadly force against another to protect the property of a third person if he reasonably believes he would be justified to use similar force to protect his own property, and he reasonably believes that there existed an attempt or actual commission of the crime of theft or criminal mischief."

"Also, a person is justified in using force or deadly force if he reasonably believes that the third person has requested his protection of property; or he has a legal duty to protect the property; or the third person whose property he is protecting is his spouse, parent or child."

Yep laws in Utah are very similar. I won't go into all of them just look up Castle Laws you can use deadly force to protect your home or dwelling. and to protect yourself if you feel your life is threatened..

But all that has nothing to do with the topic. or at least very little.. Lock it. thats the best you can do if someone wants it more than you. they are going to take it.

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

Just because so many have mentioned tongue locks...

Once I was leaving from a long weekend from a lake house about 4 miles from the nearest ramp. We packed up and I told my wife I would meet her there (she in the boat, me with the trailer). Sure enough, I see her off from the dock and don't realize that the tongue lock key is on the same ring as the boat key. Yup, the tongue lock is on and the trailer is not hooked up to the boat.

It took me about 5 seconds (no lie) to cut through the tongue lock with a sawsall, it would have been less if I had bolt cutters.

I still lock everything up with some pretty thick cable, but if they want it they will take it.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Lets hear it!!! How do you keep your boat safe?

You cannot, therefore, shoot someone who is stealing your boat out of the yard or from the dock.

If you believe that you are threatened with death or serious bodily injury, you can shoot someone no matter what they're doing. Doesn't matter if they're stealing your boat or your petunias, once you believe you're threatened with death or serious bodily injury it's legal to use deadly force in every state of the union.*

It's pitch dark, 2 o'clock in the morning, they're hitching your boat to their truck when you confront them, and they point something at you. Are you seriously going to stand there holding your gun, and waiting to find out the hard way that it's a 12 gauge shotgun pointing at you, or are you going to defend yourself? Legally you're fully justified in defending yourself.

All that's required is that you believe you were threatened with death or serious bodily injury. If you shoot them in the back while they're running away through the neighbor's yard, nobody's going to believe you believed you were threatened.

* That's the law. No need to post stories about people who didn't, and didn't get away with it. You can use deadly force if you believe that you or another person is threatened personally.