Companionway locks

[geem]

The plate on the top of the sliding hatch bolts through the 10mm perspex with two welded on m10 bolts. Nylocs on the inside.
The fixing either side of the campinionway bolt straight through the bulkhead. M10 thread with nylocs. We can fit our 10mm one piece washboard or our mozzie net washboard with the bar. We often leave the boat at anchor with the bars in place with nothing else, for ventilation

 

[rogerthebodger]

Here iis my companionway

The wood washboards have a steel inert to that support the lock keep for the lock as posted above

The side slots are also stainless steel bolted to the entrance

https://flic.kr/p/WHVUsU

This is am alternate washboard with a stainless steel frame and polycarbonic window olted in with timeproof screws

https://flic.kr/p/WooQuN

 

[PabloPicasso]

I fitted a 20quid double throw gate lock from Amazon. Key access from outside, twist knob on the inside (no, that is not the skipper)

 

[PabloPicasso]

Like many say, higher security may result in much more damage.

 

[geem]

Like many say, higher security may result in much more damage.

I think that may depend on the system. You simply can't get in to my companionway without removing the padlocks. Both of them. If you have bolt cutters, your in. If you brought bolt cutters with you, you were a prepared thief. You were always going to get in. A crow bar won't get you in. It would be easier to prise open a deck hatch with its plastic handles.
I would have thought most thief's are either targeting your boat in particular, so they come prepared or they are opportunistic and will go for the low hanging fruit.

 

[alla_breve]

That’s an impressive set up! Thanks for photos. I think I’ll collect bits for it now and plan a winter project.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

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

Do you have a link?

 

[William_H]

OP does not describe how his boat was broken in to. Or hat type of mooring. If the photo was taken before the break in they possibly kicked in the wash boards. My little boat does not obviously have much to steal inside. Still I lock it up. I got broken in to, a few times when I had a plywood wash board. I replaced it with 5mm aluminium and have had no problems since. (A horrible heavy thing) We sometimes leave it in the dinghy and once a crew dropped it in from above only to have the corner pierce the ali dinghy hull.
Anyway the biggest concern here on swing mooring is kids swimming out from the nearby swimming area and clambering onto boat. I have seen it a lot on nearby boats. That leaves them with feet to kick in wash boards or any tools that may be in an open stern locker. (in keep that locked). Hence robust wash boards and pad lock seem to be adequate for me. (I hope) I am always a liottle apprehensive as to any visitors when I go to the boat after being away a week or so. ol'will

 

[rogerthebodger]

Do you have a link?

Lots of different suppliers

jemmy proof lock - Google Suche

 

[peter gibbs]

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

Same here. If you purchase a lock with a long hasp / shank you can drill a hole cloose to the leading edge of the acrylic top and lock on. The top cannot then be slid back. Washboard locks are always an easy prize open job.

 

[ylop]

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

I’m impressed with your confidence in the padlocks - most can be broken with houshold tools if you know how and don’t mind making a noise. Where do you keep the bolt cutters and tools on board? My bolt cutters are in a cockpit locker that is secured with a Christmas cracker sized padlock.

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

If they will never find it why do you need a safe there? Couldn’t you achieve the same with a tuperware box etc? Avoiding the risk you lose the key / the lock rusts etc?

I think that may depend on the system. You simply can't get in to my companionway without removing the padlocks. Both of them. If you have bolt cutters, you’re in. If you brought bolt cutters with you, you were a prepared thief. You were always going to get in. A crow bar won't get you in. It would be easier to prise open a deck hatch with its plastic handles.

That probably deters the passing chancer, poses little challenge to the pro (who have a battery grinder for your outboard lock anyway) and for the determined but less equipped means you are replacing hatches and probably damage to the companionway too.

 

[geem]

I’m impressed with your confidence in the padlocks - most can be broken with houshold tools if you know how and don’t mind making a noise. Where do you keep the bolt cutters and tools on board? My bolt cutters are in a cockpit locker that is secured with a Christmas cracker sized padlock.

If they will never find it why do you need a safe there? Couldn’t you achieve the same with a tuperware box etc? Avoiding the risk you lose the key / the lock rusts etc?

That probably deters the passing chancer, poses little challenge to the pro (who have a battery grinder for your outboard lock anyway) and for the determined but less equipped means you are replacing hatches and probably damage to the companionway too.

I said it won't stop a proffesional thief. Why do you repeat what I have already said? The idea is to keep out the yobs. The proffessional thief will always get in.

We leave the boat for 3 months in the summer usually. If a proffessional thief breaks in and finds the not too hard safe, he is unlikely to keep looking for a safe. In addition, if we ever have a pirate attack, the same thing applies. We can show the save to a pirate. They think they have found our valuables. If a professional thief ever found our real safe they won't get in even with cuttng gear. They would have to dismantle the boat first. We take the key home with us.
If you want to keep your valuables in a tupperware box that fine with me. I will keep mine in a safe. It also acts as a Faraday cage in the event of a lightning strike so we have back up GPS, vhf radio, etc in there