More Prop and Stern Drive Security

[rwidman]

Another post prompts me to ask this:<br /><br />How many have locks on their props and/or outdrives and why?<br /><br />How many take other prop / outdrive security measures and why?<br /><br />How many have had props / outdrives stolen from there boats and where was the boat at the time?

 

[Tufan]

Re: More Prop and Stern Drive Security

Never locked it, never had it stolen or any other problem... I alwasy keep a spare just in case.<br /><br />I did hear some stories though, maybe it is safe to just put a lock nut on it.<br /><br />I guess it also depends on the area you are in, my boat is in the marina - dry stock, very secure place.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: More Prop and Stern Drive Security

I always take my props off (SS at $700 ea) as they are just too easy and there have been cases at my marina where snowmobiles come in during winter and help themselves. I just put outdrive locks on mostly because it became an insurance requirement, have heard of a few local cases of removed outdrives.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: More Prop and Stern Drive Security

Here is my 2cents worth on this. If you keep your boat at your house, I doubt if your outdrive or prop will be stolen. This does not apply to summer homes or cottages. This also does not apply if you have a few acres, and the boat is 500 feet from your house. <br />If your boat is stored either outdoors or indoors, in some kind of marina lot or indoor storage facility that everyone has the combination or passkey, it might be a target. If a thief or group of thieves have easy access to a marina lot or storage barn, that they know is pretty much deserted durring winter months, they can go there with a truck and steal several drives and any electronics in one "haul". In a case like this, anything that will make noise or slow them down, will be last on the list.

 

[dmonwai]

Re: More Prop and Stern Drive Security

Around here thieves will come into your yard and steal things from your boat, car, truck and what ever else they can find. Even when its parked under your bedroom window five feet away at night when you are sleeping. I know from experience. <br /><br />This past spring there was a lot of SS props stolen from boats parked at homes in one of the suburbs close by. Enough of them to make the local news on TV and in the papers.<br /><br />I have a 16' Smokercraft that has a 50hp Yamaha main and a 8hp Honda kicker.<br /><br />I have a McGard prop lock and a lock that looks like those club steering wheel locks for cars, it holds the prop to the lower unit. I also have 6 other locks (hardened chains, armored cables, u-lock)on my kicker. Kickers are a big target for thieves around here. <br /><br />On my trailer I have one wheel lock on each wheel, the kind that prevents it from rolling. On the coupler I have 2 locks, the kind that goes inside where the ball goes and the kind that goes through the latch.<br /><br />I'm sure this all sounds like overkill. But it makes me feel better about the boat, motors and prop being there in the morning when I wake up and in the afternoons when I come home from work.<br /><br />Here is a pic of my motors with locks.<br />

 

[rwidman]

Re: More Prop and Stern Drive Security

Here is my 2cents worth on this. If you keep your boat at your house, I doubt if your outdrive or prop will be stolen.

That's pretty much my feeling, I just wondered what others do.