Securing boat in my driveway

[laserbrn]

I bought my first boat last night (hopefully of many in the future) and because I need to store it right out front in my driveway I'm trying to find a way to secure it there. I also own sportbikes and sometimes park out front for a brief period if I need the garage for a project.

I would like to install a "U" shaped post into the ground to lock the boat to and/or bike. I don't know how to explain this well, but I'd like to set both of the posts into the ground in the concrete and use it to lock to with a large motorcycle chain just so thieves can't up and take the whole damn boat trailer. I've had motorcycles stolen from me in the past and it's heartbreaking. I don't want to go through that again.

I'm curious to see if anyone else has done something like this, what it might cost, and pics of other ideas that may work.

Thanks

 

[rickryder]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

Get a piece of 1/2 rebar....bend it in a U and concrete it into the ground.... 80lb bag of gravel mix $10 rebar $3

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

Locking it will slow people down. I have a chain around my axle locked to the rim. If a person wants it they will get it. I also have retired neighbors with guns so I hope their truck is fast.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

Get a piece of 1/2 rebar....bend it in a U and concrete it into the ground.... 80lb bag of gravel mix $10 rebar $3

Don't know how I didn't think of that. Sounds pretty simple. I was also looking at this product. A little nicer than a piece of rebar.

http://www.yanchor.com/

Anyone ever used that? Is it overkill, I mean rebar is pretty tough.

If someone is going to come out here with cutting tools they are going to get my boat, but I know that even those little inconveniences like a lock will usually stop a casual thief. I've never had a motorcycle stolen while locked up, I've had 2 jacked when I neglected to do it.

Thanks for the advice, just need to email the landlord and ask him for permission.

I sure do like the $13 solution....haha. I just think if I'm going to jack up the driveway I might as well use something that looks nice and installs flush. No one ever has to worry about rust stains or cutting it off later.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

Or one of these....I've used these in the past and I think it would slow down a wood be thief enough. A few of these would be a real pain in the ***...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/74/2785/ITEM/Kryptonite-Stronghold-Above-Ground-Anchor.aspx

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

I use a boot lock type deal that locks to the rim so lug nuts/tire cannot be removed. The boot makes it very difficult to spin the tire, if it's possible at all. Very thick steel construction. I also have a lock that surrounds the coupler.

 

[dooma_Flatchy]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

If thieves want it bad enough they are going to get it but make them work for it though. I use bicycle cable locks ran through each wheel to the frame of the trailer and I use this kind of trailer lock below.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

There are all sorts of things you can to do make it a pain to take the trailer. A coupler lock is a good start, the wheel boot is also a good idea. Together that may be all you'd need. And get it insured for theft. Also, don't forget to consider the things attached to the boat itself, like the motor, prop, etc.... I put locking lugnuts on the trailer wheels, a lock on the spare tire, and have a locknut on my outdrive, and a locknut on my prop. Plus a coupler lock on the trailer hitch. Hopefully that will frustrate most scumbags so the try something easier to steal.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

in my case, the garage is more of a shed, nothing fits but the lawn mower and snow blower. the driveway is single and white rock. my van sits in ft. of the boat so to steal the boat ya gotta move the van. i work random hours too. so no rhyme or reason for when i come and go.
i have a padlock through my hitch lock on the trailer.

+ if ya got an old enough boat (which mine is, 1975). there's not much there to sell or part out...

those are my security measures. no idea if any of them will work for you or not.

Also, don't forget to consider the things attached to the boat itself, like the motor, prop, etc.

that's a good suggestion too. i remove my drive and store it inside over the winter. 1 to service it, 2 to keep it from being stolen. along them lines. don't forget the stuff inside the boat that could be of value. chartplotter, gps, stereo, etc. i strip mine clean inside. nothing in there at all...

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

I'm going to second the insurance comment. Get it - it's not that much. Locks, chains, etc are good and will keep most away - but a determined (professional) thief with a torch will defeat any of them in seconds. Me, my boat has a coupler lock, a chain through the rims on one side, and theft insurance. Oh yeah, and a sign at the bottom of the driveway that says "If you can read this, you're in range".

Back to the OP's question, get the best quality chain you can afford to put a loop in the concrete with. Rebar (or anything else rigid) is much easier to cut (with a saw) than a flexible chain. Good luck!

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

I have a swing away tongue, I take that off and keep it locked away and hidden.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

I agree with the thinking that if they want it, they are going to take it but I'd like to at least slow them down. I have a chain lock through both wheels and a coupler lock like the one shown in an above reply. Plus, I park one of our cars on the street directly in front of the boat at night. In other words, I am blocking access to the trailer. Hard for them to take the trailer when they can't back up to it. Obviously, that only works when the car is not being used. The other thing I have thought about is moving to new house where the neighbor has a much nicer boat in his driveway! Good luck.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

Wheels off, boat on jackstands. Done.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

You could always go with removable bollards - 4" pipe embedded in concrete. Look around the next time you are around a government building or public park emergency access road. They typically lock in place, but can be removed quickly if need be. Is it overkill? Of course!

My boat is in a slip, so I'm always more concerned about an inside job. I have considered wiring in a secondary cut off to avoid it being hot wired. I also make a point of getting to know my marina neighbors...and letting them know I'm an avid shooter.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

The scumbags like SS props also! If you have an outboard, they can remove one in a jiffy. My bud came home after work, saw his boat and motor in the back yard behind a six-foot tall wooden fence, and went inside to eat. Came out with the trash hours later and the Mercury Tower150 was gone. He never heard anything. They can pull an I/O off easily unless you slow them down with McGard locks or something similar.
Good luck!

 

[PopsRacer]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

.... so thieves can't up and take the whole damn boat trailer. ...

I use Reese Trailer Cops on my trailers... They can be found at some RV and boat shops as well as Auto Parts stores and online. Combined with a boot like posted above and your chain idea, I would imagine should take some time to get through.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

I have a very large dog...come on over.

 

[PopsRacer]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

I have a very large dog...come on over.

 

[Dolfan0925]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

I bought a cheap boat in bad shape.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Securing boat in my driveway

Thanks for all of the advice. It is an old beater boat, but if I were a thief I'd take it. The OB is worth the effort to steal it hands down. I'm just a realist and realize I can't rely on people's good nature. So I'm going to with a combination of deterrents including cementing something in the ground. I may just do the anchor bolts, but I'll also incorporate the boot, make sure to lock the motor/prop and keep my Remington 870 handy. My dogs will sure as **** bark if someone comes up my driveway so I've got an alarm and a gun. I suppose someone would have to have some balls and to work on it for more than 10 seconds and I'll make sure it takes longer than that.


Thanks and happy boating.