Ways to prevent boat theft

[109jb]

With the recent post by another Iboat member about the theft of his expensive boat, I thought that it might be a good idea to start a thread about ways to prevent theft.

I'll start by listing what I have done and some other ideas.

I have done/do these:

1. Coupler lock

2. Chain and padlock through wheel and around trailer frame.

3. Chain through trailer frame, wheel and around fence post.

4. Block access to trailer with car/truck

5. hide trailer from view behind barn/house

6. park trailer in barn/garage

7. OWN CHEAP BOATS THAT NOBODY WOULD WANT TO STEAL

Other ideas:

1.
Another coupler lock

2. Chain trailer to large concrete blocks or other weight

3. remove wheels (only practical for long term storage)

Another oddball idea I have is to use my 12" auger on my skid steer to dig a 3 or 4 foot deep hole. Fill it with concrete with a metal eye imbeded and then chain the trailer to it.

 

[lester]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

A pitbull works nicely as well.

 

[Skyhawk]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

A pitbull works nicely as well.

As does my Irish Wolfhound.

Anyway,

I lock the coupler and pull the boat into my driveway, not backed in. It's a pain to get hooked back up to it but someone can't just simply back in, hook up the safety chains and go.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

There's been a lot of aluminum boats stolen lately for their aluminum value, I've kept mine chained to a tree with huge chain plus a coupler lock and generally several other vehicles blocking the driveway when I'm not here.

Don't mind the dog, beware of the owner here.

The deep hole and concrete with an eye bolt is a good idea, several dealers here do that with their new boats and trailers. Every other parking space has an eye bolt cemented in the ground in between.

Most of my boats are older, my only real concern is one of my four aluminum boats getting stolen or motor theft. I've seen a few boats which had their motors stolen with a chainsaw right off the dealer's lot. They cut the transom and let the motor drop right into the bed of a waiting truck.

A buddy of mine has a huge collection of vintage restored trucks and farm tractors and several antique cars. When he built his storage building to hold them all, he had me make up steel bars with huge D rings welded to them every six feet, these bars were then welded to the steel rebar prior to the floor being poured and run along the perimeter of the building. Every vehicle has a huge chain around it's rear axle or frame locking it to the floor. If anyone ever tried to steel one, they'd have a huge job getting one loose.
On top of that, he had an elaborate fire suppression system put in to satisfy the insurance company since the vehicles can't be readily removed in the event of a fire.

It's probably overkill but another buddy had a classic car, and his new truck and trailer stolen just a few weeks ago from his own garage, so maybe all the locks and chains aren't a bad idea. I have had huge eye bolts and chains securing my tool boxes in my garage for years. Thieves tend to look elsewhere and take the easier route, most won't go through that much trouble to steal something, and if they do, they'd have to make some noise doing it which would only draw fire from my direction.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

7. OWN CHEAP BOATS THAT NOBODY WOULD WANT TO STEAL

This is me !!!
Actually, just old boats that are pretty much one of a kind - at least around here.
The only thing that's left my property by itself was a log splitter.
Although we are currently having problems with some teenagers that have a chop shop for bicycles. My grandson's bike was a victim. I found it a month after it disappeared stripped behind one of their houses. I swiped his and moved the parts back over, then threw what was left back in his front yard. Think he got the message?

I hear of outdrives and smaller OB engines disappearing every now and then. Rarely the whole boat. When this happens, it's usually an insurance job.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

Baconbiscuts was stolen right from his dock. chained to the dock.

most boat thefts, are planned, they have scoped the situation, and come prepared.

Tasha has been a great deterent from theft. i haven't lost anything since she moved in. i can leave the work shop wide open.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

Good call.
I'm sure she's a sweetheart, but in your avatar, she looks like she can very, very intimidating at the least.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

You guys will laugh at this, and it won't work if the thief wears gloves... Get a "Fido" shocker. These are the devices used to electrify fences, got mine at home depot. They pulse, so that if you are shocked by one, you will be able to let go of it. They put out a very high voltage, yet low current so the wires are actually small and barely noticable, and will knock the P1ss out of you. To use one, you need to electically isolate two elements of the hitch (they must touch a hot and ground wire), easiet way is to just leave the ends of two bare wires (close together) exposed where the thief might be likely to grab (two exposed wires, isolated under the coupler would do the trick). I can gaurantee if stung by this thing the thief will scream at the top of his/her lungs and run for the woods. Of course if some kid is monkeying around and gets zapped his parents will be all over you so you have to be a little careful on how it's used and be prepared for the consequences. But they do no lasting damage and like I said, bought mine at Home Depot, they had a large selection of them.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

Nice coupler locks, My boat seat @ my backyard, there is no way to theft it. Have to move two cars then haveto brake the coupler lock, also there is Brandy Brandy to bite the Bad Guy,. JA!

 

[lets_fish]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

I have a swing away tongue on my trailer. So with the pin out to allow it to swing, there is only one bolt holding it on. I simply remove that bolt and take the tongue in the house. Someone would need to bring a correct tongue and bolt it on to take the boat. Also I keep a vehicle parked in front of it.

 

[kkr26]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

I sleep in mine with a gun

 

[j_martin]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

12 gauge 3" chamber. 00 buck.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

I sleep in mine with a gun

12 guage mossberg with a pistol grip. seems to do the trick

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

my hitch is welded to the trailer.

the only time I have the coupler lock off is when im hooking or unhooking the trailer to my truck. if its sitting in my locked garage its locked. if its hooked to my truck its locked.

the only time the steel cable isnt looped from the bow eye to the trailer with a heavy padlock is when Im in my boat on the water.

padlocks on all the compartments on the boat

anything that cant be locked up in the garage in the boat gets carried inside my apartment.

I trust nothing but myself and a good lock.

 

[109jb]

Re: Ways to prevent boat theft

IMO, guns are not an effective means of prevention unless you NEVER leave your boat. I'm not anti-gun either and have a few. However the shotgun in my house does no good when I'm at work, the kids ball game, the movies, the restaurant with my wife, etc.. Obviously nothing will stop a determined thief, but an effective prevention measure has to be effective all the time.