Alarm systems

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Does anybody have a recommendation for an alarm system suitable for installation on a boat? I'm not bothered about SMS integration as I've already got Yacht Sentinel on board, I just need something which will kick up a fuss when the local "Mr Lightfingers" comes avisiting.

rob
 
I've used rape alarms (£7.00) with the pull out ring attached to a fishing line as a trip line or on hatches when aboard in remote places. You can trim the plastic pin to make it easier to remove, I also had a cheap battery shed alarm, this had the benefit of having a timed shut off. The rape alarm will go on for quite a while before the battery runs down.

I had one in a cockpit locker the line came out and went across cockpit, when bow to we put one taped up the mast with a trip line across foredeck.
 
Robih said:
Does anybody have a recommendation for an alarm system suitable for installation on a boat? I'm not bothered about SMS integration as I've already got Yacht Sentinel on board, I just need something which will kick up a fuss when the local "Mr Lightfingers" comes avisiting.

rob
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On our last two boats we have used a combination of simple alarms available from places like Maplins or B&Q. We were burgled before we had chance to fit an alarm to our last boat, so when we did it was a comprehensive job and which seemed to work as unlike our berth neighbours who were done again we were left scrote free.

On the assumption that nobody would hear our alarms except the burglar we went for the loudest we could find and cabin mounted to try and simply drive a burglar elsewhere. In addition we wanted to keep the burglar out in the first place and so the main hatch was alarmed to go off if opened.

We had a bulkhead mounted PIR in the main cabin with an extension alarm over the chart table plugged to it and which would go off on it's own if disconnected or it's cable cut, total 130 decibels. We had a simple rape or shed alarm with a pull cord attached to the mainhatch, the slightest move would set it off. Then as a final addition we had a cable alarm threaded through the safety harness eyes on the bridgedeck, through coachroof cleats either side of the hatch and through another eye in the washboards. Cutting the cable or springing the lock would set off that alarm.

For our new boat in the USA which we will live on board, I'm looking at a combination of simple wireless alarms as seen in Maplins catalogue. They offer PIR ones (including a ceiling mounting one that looks like a smoke detector), pressure switch ones, magnetic switch ones and one that uses an infra-red beam between two points. I think each type has it's uses so will use more than one for different locations. A possible bonus is that these also offer an entry beep option to simply warn of someone arriving. Additionally because we are will be living on board there will be a deck floodlight with movement sensor triggered by close approach, might as well light up the target... that was a joke, sort of:)
 
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Not an alarm, but sort of related...

Today I visited our local caravan shop and got a weatherproof battery operated PIR LED light, self contained single unit, £7.00

The idea is it will at least light any yob getting into the cockpit, whether the boat is ashore or afloat; won't put off a pro of course, but may upset an apprentice tea leaf.

There's a proper alarm as well, but this seemed worth having, and I can turn it on manually if I need a cockpit light.

I must admit there's an ulterior motive; it's to replace the space where a NASA windspeed display languished, and it can only be better at that job too !
 
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