Prop security from theft

[piperca]

Maybe a little off topic, but I am trying to devise a way to prevent theft of the Volvo Duoprops on my twin DP-E drives. I have sustained a significant amount of theft in the past and have newly repowered the boat and don't want to lose anything else.

I am thinking about drilling a 1/4" hole through the propeller cone and using a trailer hitch lock to prevent someone from accessing the bolt. Does anyone know if this would adversely affect the cone or propeller in any way? If so, does anyone have any suggestions on how I might achieve what I'm trying to do?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

 

[alldodge]

I would not drill new holes in/on the prop. This can throw off the balance which in turn can give you more problems.

Where is the boat when props taken, trailer, lift, in the water?

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, I think they make prop locks. You might do a 'net search and see what is avail. Of course, that will only stop an amateur.

 

[ajgraz]

Steal them yourself and stash them in the garage.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the average thief cant figure out the DP prop cone and lock. the experienced thief will simply take your whole boat if they cant get the prop off quickly

get insurance.....go boating.

I wouldnt drill nothing or add anything that will throw off the balance of the prop shaft unless you like rebuilding the lower.

the thin trailer-hitch locks snap with impact from a hammer so that is not much of a deterrent.

 

[82rude]

I'm not really familiar with Volvo douprops but mcgard makes locks for props.http://www.mcgard.com/marine/stern-drive-locks/

 

[Scott Danforth]

mcgard doesnt make prop locks for volvo 290 based (290DP / DP-A thru DP-H) drives

 

[82rude]

ARE these stainless props?I have seen and talked to several people that had nice rigs with plain flat black props .They painted their ss props and nobody even glances at them.

 

[briangcc]

A thief is going to do this as quickly as possible and not give a hoot as to what gets damaged in the process. Best advice I have would be to tuck the drives in the water and disable the trim so the drive can't be brought up for easy access. Drilling holes in the prop, as mentioned above, is going to affect the balance of your shaft and do internal damage.

And unfortunately this is something to worry about as a story was posted up on a lake I vacation at where commotion late at night was heard on the dock. A person at a neighboring camp was up, heard the noise and shined a high power spotlight at the dock. Two guys in an aluminum tiller hauled out of there. Found the outboard tilted up and the prop nut was being worked on when they were interrupted. Which reminds me to look into a McGard set for my boat.

 

[82rude]

Thieves can be really stupid also.Last year some scumbag stole my fish finder (headunit) .He also left a 600 dollar prop sitting right there within 3 feet .