Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

Boatist · Feb 23, 2003

When we go to the ocean usually take 10 to 13 poles. 4 for bottom fishing plus a spare and 4 for Salmon or Halibut plus a spare and a couple light poles for catching bait. Since each pole around $130 and each reel about $100 plus GPS, Loran C, Marine radio, Fish finder each about $500 to $2000, we are looking for a alarm that will work under standard boat cover. Has anyone found a alarm that will work under a cover and detect someone in boat and still not get any false alarms?? Currently we take the Electronics out and lock them up in cab or a car, The poles without hooks are all put away but the one rigged up for bottom fish are usually on the floor of boat. We are looking for a alarm that will detect someone in boat and make a little moise. Does anyone know of a source for such a unit???

Franki · Feb 23, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

under a cover, ultra sonic and microwave are useless.. as soon as the wind blows, you'll get false alarms.. The best bet is an under carpet mat sensor.. so if anyone gets into your boat, it will set the alarm off.. since most alarms allow for the hookup of external sensors.. you should have no problem hooking it up.. Any good electrical outlet should be able to help you out with the matt... maybe even radio shack.. rgds Franki

crab bait · Feb 23, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

used to do alarm systems.. FRANK'S on the right track.. the key is NO FALSE ALARMS.. the carpet mats a good one,, i have it in my house.. but don't think it's RUST PROOF an/or can handel the marine enviro.. hook up an old ADJUSTABLE motion senser.. adjust it to where a hurricane will hardly set it off.. best yet rig a fishin' line trip wire to a micro switch.. or even better,, CONTACT switch wire up to somethin' good,, rod rack door, ff,, ect. be creative..

Franki · Feb 23, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

yeah, Crabbait.. i used to do alarms for a job as well.. the mat sensor would be alright.. you could get it vacume sealed in plastic if you wanted.. would be fully water proof then.. The other ideas are good too.. but if it was me. (and it is because I am doing the same thing on my boat) I want hassle free alarm.. and a motion sensor can be setoff by alot of things.. like my cat, which spends alot of time on the boat.. or birds landing on it.. the mat sensor will only close with a goodish weight on it.. perhaps a mixure of the different methods would be best. but for me, I just want something simple and reliable.. rgds Franki

crab bait · Feb 24, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

well,, if you can make 'the mat' marine proof,, & assuming ya got carpet,, by all means,,it would be the best.. maybe also waterproff a micro switch or magnet contac switch placed srategicly,, so when the canvas cover is unsnapped ,, it activates

Boatist · Feb 24, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

Franki and Crab Bait I thank you both for responces and I had not though about that. That would protect Electronics but we lock that up in cab or car both of which are easily alarmed. As far as poles laying on floor aft I suspect someone who think they need them more than us would probably not get in boat but just reach in from each side and grab. Winds in summer average 27 knots every afternoon and night, sometimes all night. I was think of some sort of infarred sensor kind of like use for automatic porch lights. I may need to build myself. We have been useing a garden frog that croaks when someone walks by and it works good in daylight but at night really only works if turn on a flash light. I do not thank possible to get poles out with many hooks on and 1 lb weight at night without a flashlight but still would like something better. I am sure could use one of those infarred beam and a refelector to a infarred sensor as a trigger. I may need to just build my own unit. Had to build own home alarm many years ago as could not find what I wanted. False alarms my main consern as do not want to wake up a bunch of fisherman in the middle of the night. Anyway thanks again for the effort.

Boatin Bob · Feb 25, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

This place carries a dome type switch that you put in place of a regular snap dome for your canvas. You can either wire it to your own alarm or buy theirs. Assuming the thieves have to unsnap some canvas to gain entry the only question is, where will they unsnap? Boat Alarms web page

crab bait · Feb 25, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

if'n false alarms are your prime consern.. D O N O T . go with an infared sensor.. that are 100 % problems.. i like the fishin'line trip switch.. easy to make.. the other end of line held by a suction cup stuck to the hull , inside.. unhook string when onboard.. bottom line.. have a switch that's 100 % 'make or break' .. no false ones with that mode..

DJ · Feb 25, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

Why not hook up the poles to trip switch. Make the connection with monofilament. A thief won't see it until it's too late-for him.

ebbtide176 · Feb 25, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

this may be way off, but something i thought of for you - since you want an alarm (loud) but don't want false alarms if possible, and you're talking about fishing poles and a little weight.. maybe you could go with a box or canvas bag that will zip up with all fishing poles inside, and on the floor of the boat, snapped down to the deck? like something custom made, that snaps in place to the deck, and has to be either unzipped/unlocked or dragged off all together? then the infrared, motion, tripwire stuff can be avoided. you could then work out a way to attach it to the boat and/or unlock the bag that prevents moving it. and the rods could have wire cabling locks on each inside the bag. For alarming, it could be thru the attachments to the boat, and couple of wire loops glued/sewn in place around the bag, in case of getting cut instead of unzipping... (i installed residential alarms @ 25yrs ago) sounds like you will probably improvise, so more food for thought

Boatist · Feb 25, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

Boatin Bob Thanks for the link. My cover does not use any snapps. Cover goes about 1 foot over each side and has a draw string and and streach roapes to hold it on. Ebb Too much work to put in a bag. Each of the 4 poles out would have 4 8/0 Jig hooks and a hex jig with a trebble hook on bottom. Crab bait and DJohns The trip line would work great and I could rig that with alarm and shut off in less than one hour. Dont need it until July so I think may also mess with the infarred sensor also. I will rig with flashing led or very quite alarm while testing. Actually since at camp site sleeping about 40 feet away in tent do not need a loud alarm anyway. For days when sea's to big to launch could use loud alarm for day time. We do not launch if seas over 8 feet or less than 8 sec. Thank everyone for all the Ideas

JAZZedBW · Feb 25, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

No alarm is required. All you have to do is put a draw string in your mooring cover and when your away, pull it tight so you can't get the snaps off without loosening that draw string (which should be located at the transome. JAZZ

Boatist · Feb 26, 2003

Re: Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

JaZZedBW Cover has a draw string and we do pull it tight and put streach straps all the way around but none of that will prevent entry. We have to do that to make sure water runs off from heavy fog at night and morning. We have been going to this site for 23 years and never had a problem or know of anyone else who has had a problem so really just for our piece of mind. I learned a long time ago that there is no way to prevent entry into a Boat, Car, House, or Bank but you can detect entry and make some noise. Thanks for Reply

Looking for a boat alarm that will work under a boat cover.

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