Stealing My Gas!!!

[shaunlaf]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and even newer to boating. I bought a 27' Sun Cat 1980's remodeled pontoon boat. It's got a 06-07 Mercury 60HP 4 cylinder/4 stroke engine... in great shape!

Here's my issue:

There are fisherman that go out early in the morning and unclip my gas line and pump the gas into their own tanks... this happens to my neighbors as well so we can all commiserate. They've been seen doing this, but weren't caught.

It sucks! Any way to stop this that doesn't involve a sniper rifle, a ghillie suit and an early morning?

Maybe there isn't a way... but I wanted to check...

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

I'd be tempted to have a portable full of something that would do real damage to their motor, and just hook it up once docked (remembering to switch back before I went out).

 

[shaunlaf]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

not a bad idea at all... I'd be worried that I'd forget and kill my own engine! But I like the thinking...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and even newer to boating. I bought a 27' Sun Cat 1980's remodeled pontoon boat. It's got a 06-07 Mercury 60HP 4 cylinder/4 stroke engine... in great shape!

Here's my issue:

There are fisherman that go out early in the morning and unclip my gas line and pump the gas into their own tanks... this happens to my neighbors as well so we can all commiserate. They've been seen doing this, but weren't caught.

It sucks! Any way to stop this that doesn't involve a sniper rifle, a ghillie suit and an early morning?

Maybe there isn't a way... but I wanted to check...

A Rottweiler that is slightly hungry would solve that problem. Chain him near the gas tank and enjoy your full tank when you get back to the dock

 

[shaunlaf]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

if my boat was docked on my own property... that'd be a PERFECT fit... cuz he'd at least alert me to the issue, then I can get my sniper rifle (it's only a pellet gun, but would certainly deliver the message)...

but sadly the boat is docked at the other end of the island...

 

[joe1267]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

I vote for a tank full of something nasty. I think that would teach them a much needed lesson. Not too many things worse than a thief. Of course you have to remember to switch it out : )

 

[mattb1974]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Trip wire across the gas can set to activate a bottle of pepper spray. When the wire is hit, the mace goes off.

....or

Fill your gas can with water, if they pour directly to thier tank, they may not notice its water and if they do it will be to late.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Good old trick - mix the gas with sugar.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

I would be tempted to install a "bait tank" (a regular fuel tank) but loaded with a mixture that smells like gas, but is lethal to engines. Remove the quick connect at the engine end and insert a plug in the hose, then reinstall the quick connect. This prevents you or someone else from using the tank on your own engine. Now then, when they cut the hose, they get the load of whatever. When you see them stalled give them the one finger salute and let them paddle. The other solution is to install a permanent tank that has a shut off valve at its outlet. While they can still cut the hose, if the tank is installed in a locked storage area they will get no fuel. They may try to siphon or actually pump the fuel through the filler but locking devices are also available for that.

 

[Snowfish]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Same thing happened to me once. My fishing boat got drained twice right from my back yard! Portable tank so easy to drain. I sugared my next tank full. Not sure what sugaring the gas does, but there was an abandoned four wheeler, in a field just off my driveway, on my way to work the next day. Never had another problem.

 

[shaunlaf]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Snowfish... that's awesome....

yea... the 'other tank' idea is a good one... I might have to put a little bit of real gas in there, along with... say...small bits of Styrofoam, and the rest water... that way it has the gas smell... and the styrofoam will really mess up their engine...

other ideas for another cheap liquid combo that I could use?

I can put a tag on my steering wheel to remind me that I have to switch the tanks before I leave...

I'd like to set up a hunting camera so I can get a photo of them, but there's no good spot to set it up... then I can just let them think they'll get away with it.. find out who they are (we're a small community) and then make their life a living hell in other devious ways...

but that might be too much effort... seizing their engine would be quick and effective...

 

[shaunlaf]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

silvertip thats good to know about, I'll look into that... I thought there might be something that...

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

I would talk with the local police ( you would be amazed how small cameras are nowdays ) see if they would have a problem with you sugaring the tank . Then its pretty easy to catch the thief they would be the ones with the siezed motor .



Rick

 

[nlain]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

If you really want to mess up the engine I would use something that would run for awhile, gas and water mix probably won't run far, water is going to settle in the bottom of the tank and pump out first, course that might stall them close enough that someone will notice.

 

[shaunlaf]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

yea, I should look into the camera thing more I guess... my good friend is a cop... I'll run the idea by him...

it seems like water and gas mix might work, but the Sugar and Gas thing does work... so that might be the way to go...

These jerks also took my console cover so I'd be happy to make their life a bit difficult.

I'm actually feeling better just talking about all the ways I can get them back... I have to wait for next season now... they did it just before my last cruise before trailoring it... I died in the middle of the lake, alone.. and had to paddle (with a small emergency oar) a 27' pontoon boat against the current back to land.... bastards.

My neighbor lost 2 full tanks... but realized it before he left the dock... as I said I'm a noob... but no longer.. at least on this issue.

 

[204Angler]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Sugar is good although can be detected if the thief is looking for sabotage. What I have done before is mix bleach with the gasoline. The bleach/gas mix will not just cause an engine siezure like the sugar...it will cause catastrophic engine failure. It will detonate, probably destroying the pistons, connecting rods and maybe even crank. With the correct ration of bleach/gas...the engine will not react quickly either. It will probably happen when they are mid-blast to there favorite honey hole. Even if they are running two-strokes with a VRO...this works. Mix as much bleach in as you can before you start smelling it over the gasoline smell. Luckily gas has a fairly powerful odor as we all know so you can almost make it fifty-fifty...sometimes more if your theives are not worried about such shenanigans. Have FUN! The most important part...LET US KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!!!

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Sounds like spring camping on the 'toon is in order. You want pics, don't you Oh wait, that's us ...

We used to have a similar problem at the old cottage. Got so bad that we'd take the tanks to the shed when we were gone . Turned out to be someone we knew!

Best of luck- I's sure your officer friend will have some good ideas too.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[shaunlaf]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Thanks for the welcome... this has been a really fun intro to your group... thanks for all the posts.

LOVE the bleach idea... that just might be the winner... I'll have to wait til next season to utilize these fantastic tibdits, but by then... I may just have some extra cash to throw into getting a small camera... and if I do... I'll have photos for you for sure...

now I can't wait for summer to come even more! as if I needed help with that...

 

[j_martin]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

You should see what a little polyurethane in the gas does to a 2 cycle engine.

It should go a good ways, then just slowly die from lack of compression, or a seized rod bearing.

hope it helps
John

 

[lightwood38]

Re: Stealing My Gas!!!

Contrary to popular belief sugar and fuel don't mix so the most harm you will do is block their fuel filter.