Boat Security

[Dave_Knowles]

Hi,

I am interested to find out if people have security systems on their boats and do they feel that the systems available are good or bad. Also it would be good to know what would be the ideal system and how much would they pay for it.



<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[AndCur]

I have a very simple system that i use it involves a rape alarm and a piece of string. You attach the alarm inside the boat and rig the pin so that if the wash board is removed with out untieing the string the pin is pulled out and sets the alarm off.

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[jimbouy]

Simple but effective. I like it.

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[vyv_cox]

But is anyone around who can a) hear it and b) do anything about it? An alarm seems to have limited value for a boat on a swinging mooring. An obviously strong/complex lock system may persuade thieves to move elsewhere, where pickings would be easier.

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[jimi]

My suspicion would be that strong locks may just lead to more damage whwreas lots of noise might scare the #### out of the would be theives and thus be more effective as well as leading to less damage?

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[vyv_cox]

Yes, I agree it's a consideration. I used to subscribe to the view that fitting a big lock just leads to more damage to the washboards. Now, I'm not so sure as there would be a lot of noise provided that everything is bolted up solidly.

I made the latch mechanism on my boat using a patio door lock covered with a big curved stainless plate. Even when I give the key to somebody they struggle to open it. It looks so unusual that I hope it deters any potential thieves.

I do think it depends very much where the boat is lying, as in my first post. On my swinging mooring in N. Wales you could have blown the washboards off with dynamite without anyone taking any notice, whereas now I am 15 metres from the harbour office.

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[Evadne]

A device was mentioned in this context a while ago, which has always intrigued me: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mobilarm.co.uk/prod.html>http://www.mobilarm.co.uk/prod.html</A>
I'd love to know if anyone has bought one and found it to be useful.

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[the_wanderer]

I have modified a simple, cheap car alarm and attached a shock sensor plus micro switches on the door and cockpit lockers. The shock alarm only works when the cabin door is hit firmly so is not set off by waves etc. If you buy an alarm that has an entry delay system it needs to be disabled as mine is and is worked on a key switch. A deafening siren is fitted in the cockpit and has even scared the pants off me when I forgot to turn the system off!

Good luck. Alan.

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[Stemar]

I like the idea of the cheap car alarm, or a visit to Maplin. There are alarms that are simply too loud for anyone to stay in the vicinity, and I think I'll be going down that road.

It doesn't matter if nobody else hears it, if Mr Burglar stays around, he won't be hearing anything again!!! But these days, I suppose he'll sue me!!! :-(

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[graham]

A few years back I kept my boat in a river which was a bit isolated and we had thieving problems.

One boat had a newish large outboard motor ,the owner was concerned enough to fit a custom made clamp lock,One night the boat was removed from its mooring allowed to dry out on the ebb on the concrete slipway then the transom chainsawed off and removed complete with motor.

At the same club a few years later members clubbed together and installed a system which had 6 boat units and a shore unit which telephoned 3club members if it received a signal from a boat unit.

Even though there were about 20 odd boats on the river it worked well as the thieves tended to break into them all in one night.The boat units were rotated around different boats.

Dave ,is this market research?I think you could be on to a winner with a system similar to that I described.Since then technology has raced ahead .

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[graham]

Re: Rape Alarm

Good idea that one.I may go for a daysail over to Weston this week and send the missus up the police station for a free one. Apparently they have given away a couple of thousand,Ididnt know there were that many boats in Weston.

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[Dave_Knowles]

Hi Graham,

The research has come about due to talking to friends and the obvious need for something. I have a friend who is involved in testing products for the motor trade and like me would be interested in producing something that gave reasonable protection to boats. Could you PM me with more details if you have any on the system you described.


<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[wishbone]

There a lots of alarms about even with auoto dialers that you could rig to a pay as you go phone some very cheap domestic ones with adjustable shock sensors, it could use a small solar panel to top up the battery when left for long periods the siren could run off the domestic batt, you could even mount a strobe for a nice lighting effect!!
Security watch system advertised in YM this month

Wishbone
Rolling, rolling, rolling keep them doggies moving!
Where’s me chuck wagon gone?


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[graham]

Sorry Dave ,Im not technically minded and am no longer in touch with the guy that built the system.

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[Paul_H]

Here's another GSM phone alarm.
http://web.onetel.net.uk/~mesc/marcel/index.htm


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[JerryHawkins]

Don't wish to go into my own security details for obvious reasons - this is a public forum!

I think it depends on where you keep your boat and how much its worth. A relatively low value boat on a marina berth is probably safer than an expensive boat on a remote swinging mooring.

I would have thought that paying 10% of the boats value for an alarm system would be a good ball-park figure. Any system should let you - the owner - know (via GSM phone) that an event has ocurred as well as having a siren and strobe. You can then call the marina/boat yard/police as appropriate.

Cheers,

Jerry

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[richardandtracy]

I've a steel boat, and it's got two main layers of security.

1) The vessel looks a total heap = less attractive.
2) All ports big enough to get in through are covered in storm protection steel plates with a small slit in them. These are padlocked in place. (steel plates have a secondary use - no-one can see in to look for expensive gear). I've installed 5 lever mortice locks to BS something or other on the access hatches.

3) The final security layer is that there really is nothing valuable on board. 90% of the stuff is home made from scrap or near scrap materials. The bits & bobs look individual and most of them have the boat name engraved or punched on them too. I admit the china plates were a problem to punch a name on, so I went to plastic.

I haven't had a break in, so either I'm lucky, or the deterrents are working.
I unwittingly used the 'looks like a heap' deterrent in a car theft hotspot. No-one stole my Robin Reliant, despite it being left unlocked, for 3 months. I was furious! It really is an effective deterrent.


Regards

Richard.


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[the_wanderer]

Speak up. What did you say?

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