to catch a thief

[mellowyellow]

my 1969 larson has been sitting in my back field<br />for about 1 1/2 yrs since it sank. the motor was<br />a 1969 Johnson 40hp (which never got flooded)<br />yesterday a niehbor asked if I was working on the<br />motor cuz it wasn't there. the motor was lifted<br />and the thiefs left the cover and a few parts<br />laying on the ground. (replaceing with an evin.<br />cover to hide?)<br />anyways, I never logged the serial number of the<br />motor and was wondering if there might be a way<br />to get it for the police. it may be the origional<br />motor to the boat, but I'm not sure.<br />also, do these motors say Johnson somewhere else<br />like transom mount? someone with an evin. w/jon<br />serial# etc. would be a good suspect.<br />bummer, this motor was for me and my 14yr old son<br />to re-build once I taught myself OB motor basics.<br />thanks,<br />M.Y.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: to catch a thief

^

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: to catch a thief

have you checked out the local pawn shops? just a thought. boy, that bites, sorry for your loss.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: to catch a thief

not yet ebb, but good idea. does the motor say<br />Johnson anywhere other than cover? are jon/evin.<br />serial numbers different for the yr?<br />gonna take a look for a evinrude cover on my<br />motor around here since they left the cover on the ground.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: to catch a thief

^bump^<br />any advice?

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: to catch a thief

Not positive since i've not worked on alot of different boat motors. My evinrude has the s/n plate on the transom bracket. So even if using a different cover, the stolen motor should have the id plate on the bracket. At least that is the case on mid 80's evinrudes. Hopefully you will get a reply from some of the experts here, to clear this up.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: to catch a thief

Hope they catch them and then use em for your next anchor.

 

[Cap'n Ron]

Re: to catch a thief

The chances of finding it really depend on the area you're in. A marina I used to keep my boat at reported 23 engines stolen off dry-docked boats in a three month period (guess why I switched marinas ). Out of the 23 stolen, four have been recovered (these thefts occurred almost two years ago). These were found when the thief sold the motor to someone who then put it in his/her boat. When they went to sell the boat and a surveyor came out to check the boat, he was smart enough to run the SNs of the motors, and found out they were stolen. Reported it, and the motors were returned to the real owners. But down here (Florida), there are so many boats/motors/surveyors that finding one competent enough to check and finding one stolen motor out of the hundreds of thousands for sale down here is quite rare. Might be different in your area though, if Johnsons aren't big sellers.

 

[bayman]

Re: to catch a thief

Here are a few ideas...<br /><br />Did you ever have to register the engine with the state? In some states you do. If so, the state should have the serial number on record.<br /><br />Do you possibly have any engine warranty info filed away from way back when?<br /><br />Did you ever have a work order done on the engine? Maybe the dealer wrote the serial number on paperwork which you may have filed away.<br /><br />Occasionally manufacturers (especially for yachts) will have records on the major items in a boat. I wouldn't count on it though, especially from that far back.<br /><br />You said that the thieves left some parts.... Did any have serial numbers that can be tracked?<br /><br />- bayman

 

[Ranger354]

Re: to catch a thief

If you have the original title the serial # should be on it. At least that is how we do it in Texas. I think? Maybe I better double check.<br /><br />I had 2 25hp evinrudes stolen in a 2 years time frame at two different locations. If they want it they will take it no matter what.

 

[al murch]

Re: to catch a thief

Who ever had the boat before you if they can be located, might have the numbers. Any work done at a local shop? Check the history. Check inside the cover. I mark every part where possiable. I have had three motors stolen and one boat. No recovery yet. I wish I could use a coil wire to my advantage.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: to catch a thief

thanks to all for replying! so it's slim to none<br />I guess, and slim just croaked <br />saw a lock at a sporting goods store that<br />covered the hand screws so you can't loosen from<br />the transom....$15 bucks sounds like a good investment right now.<br />considering postin' a reward for $250 bucks. the motor wasn't worth that much, but would<br />be happy to teach someone a lesson about respect<br />for other's property.<br />hope for the best, be prepared for the worst, right?<br />regards,<br />M.Y.