Companionway locks

[alla_breve]

Hello all,
I’ve had a break in into my Griffon last week. I’ve got two washboards and a sliding acrylic top as in photo, with two 1/4 turn locks. Can anyone help with suggestions for more robust locks or any suggestions to increase security without making it too difficult for me to get in!
Many thanks

 

[Minerva]

If some miscreant wants to break in they will, regardless of how well secured your boat it. Only, the more secured it is, the more damage that will be done...

What's the minimum requirement to satisfy your insurance T&C's? FWIW, your original set up is very similar to ours.

 

[pmagowan]

Yes, go for minimum. There is likely to be 2 main types of thief. An opportunist, who will just check and see if something is open, and a determined thief who will break in unless you create Fort Knox. Any lock deters the first, no lock deters the later. A big sticker claiming your advanced security system may be more beneficial but put it somewhere visible only when they are at the washboard otherwise it may advertise you have something worth stealing. You are likely to be the next miscreant needing to break in anyway!

 

[rogerthebodger]

I fitted on of these locks which was bolted to the washboard and hatch with security bolts

 

[lustyd]

Hello all,
I’ve had a break in into my Griffon last week. I’ve got two washboards and a sliding acrylic top as in photo, with two 1/4 turn locks. Can anyone help with suggestions for more robust locks or any suggestions to increase security without making it too difficult for me to get in!
Many thanks

Your washboards are secured with what appears to be three screws in each of the panels either side. A crowbar will remove one of these panels in under a second with very little noise and the washboards will come out easily regardless of lock since there will no longer be a groove for them to slide out of.

The only way to improve security really is better location, but even at my marina which has CCTV on all pontoons, a tender was stolen this year by someone who arrived by boat. As others say, minimise damage and remove valuables or secure them within the boat.

 

[geem]

We work on the basis that we don't want anybody getting in through the main hatch. Our security at the main hatch is considerable. They won't get in via the main hatch without bolt cutters to cut off the paddlocks

Your washboards are secured with what appears to be three screws in each of the panels either side. A crowbar will remove one of these panels in under a second with very little noise and the washboards will come out easily regardless of lock since there will no longer be a groove for them to slide out of.

The only way to improve security really is better location, but even at my marina which has CCTV on all pontoons, a tender was stolen this year by someone who arrived by boat. As others say, minimise damage and remove valuables or secure them within the boat.

We have two safes. One for the thief to find and one they will never find.

 

[Minerva]

We work on the basis that we don't want anybody getting in through the main hatch. Our security at the main hatch is considerable. They won't get in via the main hatch without bolt cutters to cut off the paddlocks
We have two safes. One for the thief to find and one they will never find.

Sounds a good idea for a live aboard.

 

[geem]

Sounds a good idea for a live aboard.

We also have a very secure companionway security bar. A thief won't get in unless he comes equipped with bolt cutters. At that point a determined thief was always going to get in anyway

 

[vyv_cox]

When ours was broken into many years ago it was the chamfered washboards that were the weak link. Easy to get a tool between them and lever them apart. I made a one piece washboard for when we leave the boat and this is far more secure.

 

[geem]

When ours was broken into many years ago it was the chamfered washboards that were the weak link. Easy to get a tool between them and lever them apart. I made a one piece washboard for when we leave the boat and this is far more secure.

Ditto, but security bar on the outside as well.

 

[lustyd]

We work on the basis that we don't want anybody getting in through the main hatch. Our security at the main hatch is considerable. They won't get in via the main hatch without bolt cutters to cut off the paddlocks
We have two safes. One for the thief to find and one they will never find.

I'm sure as a liveaboard that's a good idea, but for most people even if you replaced the wood with stainless and through bolted etc. etc. then the roof hatches still have plastic handles as locks.

For the average boater, curtains are the most effective since thieves can't see what's inside

 

[geem]

I'm sure as a liveaboard that's a good idea, but for most people even if you replaced the wood with stainless and through bolted etc. etc. then the roof hatches still have plastic handles as locks.

For the average boater, curtains are the most effective since thieves can't see what's inside

As a liveaboards, our biggest risk is when we leave the boat in a boatyard for the summer for a couple of months and go home. The risk at anchor is tiny since we are often onboard or friends are nearby on their boat. We never leave the boat over night unattended like you guys in the UK with boats on moorings or marinas.
Our risks of theft are generally lower.

 

[Stemar]

Someone who really wants to get in will get in. The only question is how much damage they'll do. You don't want your friendly local villain doing £5000 of damage to get at £500 of kit. Yes, you want enough security to deter the casual thief, but not so much that the determined one writes the boat off getting in. To my mind, a half-decent padlock (most aren't - just watch the Lock Picking Lawyer on YT) is as good as you need to keep your insurers happy. Anything more than that risks getting the hatch destroyed, with little reduction in the risk of theft.

 

[geem]

Someone who really wants to get in will get in. The only question is how much damage they'll do. You don't want your friendly local villain doing £5000 of damage to get at £500 of kit. Yes, you want enough security to deter the casual thief, but not so much that the determined one writes the boat off getting in. To my mind, a half-decent padlock (most aren't - just watch the Lock Picking Lawyer on YT) is as good as you need to keep your insurers happy. Anything more than that risks getting the hatch destroyed, with little reduction in the risk of theft.

Exactly. My security bar will stop the local yobs after they have had a drink but a determined thief will need bolt cutters. The yob won't even attempt my companionway. He will do the boat next door. Deck hatches are easily replaced so I would rather they broke the plastic handles on those

 

[Daverw]

I suspect that mist casual thieves carry a small battery grinder, mist locks and locking bars cut in seconds with a short sharp bit of noise that many around would not respond to and when they have all quite again, a fairly small crow bar would defeat most fittings into boat sides

 

[MontyMariner]

As said, with the advent of H/H Angle Grinders there is very little that will stop access.
A well advertised alarm system may deter or will make life uncomfortable for them. A pressure matt in the cockpit can help minimise damage.

 

[Daydream believer]

We work on the basis that we don't want anybody getting in through the main hatch. Our security at the main hatch is considerable. They won't get in via the main hatch without bolt cutters to cut off the paddlocks
We have two safes. One for the thief to find and one they will never find.

Good idea. Where do you hide the "one that they will never find" on your yacht?

 

[alla_breve]

We also have a very secure companionway security bar. A thief won't get in unless he comes equipped with bolt cutters. At that point a determined thief was always going to get in anyway

Any chance of a picture, to see if I could make one?

 

[geem]

Good idea. Where do you hide the "one that they will never find" on your yacht?

Well out of your way

 

[geem]

Any chance of a picture, to see if I could make one?