Boat security

Sailing steve said:
Looking at my hatch I guess it'd take a just few seconds with a screwdriver to rip the padlock hasp off the coach roof and gain entry.

Apart from beefing it all up any other ideas or suggestions for making a boat more secure?
Click to expand...
Most casual thievery works to 5 mins max on board. Home thefts likewise. So deterrence is key - nothing to see/ curtains closed. Sound lock. Pulsing red led in view down hatch if poss - to indicate internal defences. Or fit the real thing. Recording anyone on board not likely to result in detection. Mark all removable gear of value to help recovery / keep insurers happy.
Vessels very rarely stolen - immobilising engine start highly recommended of course. Dinghies much more so and o/b a given.
Risk of malicious damage dependent on area but more spoken of than actual.
So it seems to me.
 
Thinking about this over a pleasant Sunday lunch I wonder if some form of sophisticated burglar alarm would be more use? On entry to the cabin a recording of two voices asking, 'are we were expecting visitors?', that might surprise an intruder, followed by sound of two pump action shotguns being 'racked', that might speed up the heart rate of any intruder. Ultimately, the boat being flooded by 'white noise' at a level that would disorientate, make people vomit and burst ear drums; I am not sure if that would be legal.

Externally, all lights would flash on and off and an alarm would sound conveniently hiding the sound of the white noise. As I say it's just a thought. ;)
 
Sandy said:
Thinking about this over a pleasant Sunday lunch I wonder if some form of sophisticated burglar alarm would be more use? On entry to the cabin a recording of two voices asking, 'are we were expecting visitors?', that might surprise an intruder, followed by sound of two pump action shotguns being 'racked', that might speed up the heart rate of any intruder. Ultimately, the boat being flooded by 'white noise' at a level that would disorientate, make people vomit and burst ear drums; I am not sure if that would be legal.

Externally, all lights would flash on and off and an alarm would sound conveniently hiding the sound of the white noise. As I say it's just a thought. ;)
Click to expand...
I like your thinking. Rat trap on the door near the internal slide bolt seems to ruin the rest of their day. On a serious note, but not as effective on a boat, are the devices that play a vicious dog barking when the doorbell rings. Some of the better ones are very realistic. Depends on the house set up , a pair of size 13 dirty work boots or a hi vis jacket with "SECURITY" on it in the front porch might send chancers to find a softer target.
 
Sandy said:
Thinking about this over a pleasant Sunday lunch I wonder if some form of sophisticated burglar alarm would be more use? On entry to the cabin a recording of two voices asking, 'are we were expecting visitors?', that might surprise an intruder, followed by sound of two pump action shotguns being 'racked', that might speed up the heart rate of any intruder. Ultimately, the boat being flooded by 'white noise' at a level that would disorientate, make people vomit and burst ear drums; I am not sure if that would be legal.

Externally, all lights would flash on and off and an alarm would sound conveniently hiding the sound of the white noise. As I say it's just a thought. ;)
Click to expand...
An alarm mine (used on farms and my garden!) with a 12g blank would be legal and sufficiently scary if it were to surprise you in the dark - but it's probably not safe on a boat!

Perhaps something attached to a car horn or that sort of thing would be safer... Also depends if there's likely to be anyone around to hear it
 
steveinnice said:
and outward opening ,impact absorbing cored, steel framed doors with level 8 security glass. ( I think we had this conversation on another thread :ROFLMAO: )
Click to expand...
No we didn’t
But , your glass , your bill, your choice ??

Thinking about it a bit more. Isnt there a known phenomenon whereby thieves revisit easy-to-knock-off or ‘soft’ targets, once the goodies have been replaced and the old doors/washboards poorly bodged back into service? I think ??
 
Last edited:
steveinnice said:
Outward Opening House Doors
posts 37/38 29th Dec 2021 (y) ;)
Click to expand...
Okdoke , ( linky doesn’t click but I acknowledge your memory)
So that’s doors, secured
Or companionways
And glass
What can we fix next ??

btw Joshua Slocum used -or wrote that he used - upturned tacks on the deck !
 
Blueboatman said:
Okdoke , ( linky doesn’t click but I acknowledge your memory)
So that’s doors, secured
Or companionways
And glass
What can we fix next ??

btw Joshua Slocum used -or wrote that he used - upturned tacks on the deck !
Click to expand...
First we have to instil fear and doubt . The chances of a random break in are very remote, some areas more that others, but in general, unless you flaunt about in the pub ( or social media) its not going to happen. if you are targeted most likely they will be professionals and if they get to your door all you can do is slow them down till security/police arrive. By the time a villain gets to your door at least 2 levels of security have been compromised. For most people that's "what you have" and "where it is". The weakest point of entry to most homes is the door bell. If you need more security /protection than that you'll have to pay a consultant. Even then If someone wants to get you they will. Hundreds of threats are made to public people that never make the news . If it does, something was missed 4 or 5 times to allow it to get that far. Depend on the value of the target sometimes even the skips out the back of a venue where they are to visit are guarded. I'm not a security expert but I have a interest in it at a hobby level.
 
Neeves said:
Newer and larger vessels are more attractive to those with light fingers. If you are on a swing mooring make sure your yacht looks the oldest and smallest. With the slow increase in the average size of yacht over the years being 'small' becomes increasingly easy.

With the rapidity of development of electronics what was state of the art 2 years ago is probably not a very attractive proposition.


The posts prompts a question in my mind - if you are 'that rich' to afford a marina berth (we have never had one, hence the question) are insurance premiums lower?

Jonathan
Click to expand...
I was surprised by my premium for a 37 footer in a marina, it was the same price as my 26 footer on a swing mooring .................!
 
The environment that my boat lives in might be somewhat different. Danger is of kids swimming to the boat or on occasions using a dinghy or kayak to get to the boat. Generally they don't carry tools and are just out for some fun. I found it essential to lock the back locker with tools in. (screw driver ). I used to have a plywood wash board. This was kicked in a few times so now I have a fairly heavy aluminium wash board. So no problems in recent years.
Just on a happy note a few months back I was doing race officer at club from a room with a view of mooring area. We watched kids in a RIB go to a biggish MOBO and climb on. We often see the kids climb on this and other nearby boats for the joy of jumping off the top. Anyway as we watched they appeared climbing into the dighy with a solar panel and other stuff. They took the RIB and stuff to shore nearby then seemed to hang around. Long enough for water police to arrive. Satisfying to see them interogated on the beach. Sad to see see kids so stupid as to do this kind of thing. ol'will
 
My boat came fitted with an alarm which did help to deter a thief, but not before he cut the cockpit cover and split some of the wood on the door. What I hadn't done was to advertise that an alarm was fitted, since rectified! I have now also fitted a pressure mat on the cockpit floor, on the hope that if the alarm will go off before the door is attacked.
 
Ye Gods! I'm glad that both I and my boat live in a comparatively civilised part of the world.
A wee example. In the boatyard where my boat winters, I have a storage box near my cradle. A year or two back, approaching time for lift out, I couldn't lay my hands on the key for the box padlock. It's usually either on a hook in the boat, or in the car. It turned out to be still in the padlock hanging on the box, where it had been left six months previously, and nothing in the box had been meddled with.
 
Screaming alarms are most effective, you have to have some locks to stop the casual thief. But a well advertised Loud Alarm will put most off. Have it or more than one hidden, with a remote hidden switch so you don't go deaf.. a notice in the window, rather than stickers is a good i
 
Sandy said:
Thinking about this over a pleasant Sunday lunch I wonder if some form of sophisticated burglar alarm would be more use? On entry to the cabin a recording of two voices asking, 'are we were expecting visitors?', that might surprise an intruder, followed by sound of two pump action shotguns being 'racked', that might speed up the heart rate of any intruder. Ultimately, the boat being flooded by 'white noise' at a level that would disorientate, make people vomit and burst ear drums; I am not sure if that would be legal.

Externally, all lights would flash on and off and an alarm would sound conveniently hiding the sound of the white noise. As I say it's just a thought. ;)
Click to expand...
Please think about the guy who boards your boat to adjust your fenders to prevent damage, or adjust the bow line because the marina chain on the sea bed has moved a bit in the storm........
 
thinking about type of alarm,
movement detectors aren't any good because your boat is never still and a moving curtain could set it off.
Door sensors are possible, but often need wires and ugly detectors on /by the doors.

My favourite would be pressure pads, they can't go far into the cabin unless they can fly!! once triggered a couple of minutes alarm screaming should get them running away..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top