Dinghy theft-how likely?

[realslimshady]

Tentative plan for next Tuesday is take the kids to Whitecliff bay IOW to play on the beach-anchoring just offshore and using the inflatable to get to the beach. Possibility of mate flying in to Bembridge so we could meet at the pub on top of the hill (Nab View or something?) or maybe make our way to the airfield for a quick flip...both of which plans mean leaving the dinghy on the beach (or deflating and dragging with, don't think so!)-but what's the likelihood of it still being there an hour or so later?
Or is there a better plan that I'm overlooking?
What would anyone else do?

 

[Bajansailor]

I think that the best you can do is to just make sure that the outboard is securely locked to the dinghy, and then the dinghy and outboard are then locked with a reasonably stout steel cable to a substantial nearby tree or fence post - this would dissuade your average thief from stealing it, but it will not stop the serious thief who is armed with bolt croppers.

 

[realslimshady]

Hmmmm
suppose I could take my bike lock....it's only got a little electric outboard which could be toted along to the pub...leave the battery (no-ones going to be sad enough to steal an old battery are they?)...take the oars with us (in case of flat battery[for the outboard, not at the pub])...that could work....anyone know Whitecliff bay beach and possible dinghy-securing points?

 

[blueglass]

don'y know whitecliff bay but we have been leaving our dinghy and o/b on beaches all over the south coast and abroad for years while we go to the pub or whatever. It is always a small risk but the alternative is you never go ashore. in 10 years have had only 2 incidents, both in North Wales. On one occasion our dinghy was cast off into the menai straits by vandals wheile we ate at a pub. On another occasion the o/b was stolen (boltcutters through locking chain)
it hasn't and will never stop us leaving the dinghy unattended because that way you are denied one of the great pleasures of cruising.

 

[GRR]

Why not drop in to Bembridge Harbour ?

By the way the pub is the Culver Haven and it's OK

 

[Scubadoo]

This is someone that is always on my mind when going ashore and leaving the dinghy. What I have done is drill a hole through the transom to fit a good quailty lock and take a 20metre steel cable with me, usually lock it around a tree or some metal fitting. The outboard is also locked to the transom. If I know the dinghy will be out of sight then I normally row ashore and leave the outboard behind. With the oars I take the ends off and take them with me to make it less attractive to steal.

However I did row ashore at White cliff and didn't lock it just left it on the beach tied to rock, it was there when I got back even with loads of people walking past.

 

[PRH]

Whitecliff is fairly remote and has the added bonus of a very steep hill for anyone to carry the tender or outboard up.

There can be quite a few children on holiday playing along the beach so make sure you put it well out of the way.

I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[mjf]

I agree - risk it but somehow disable it when you leave. Take kill cord for examaple

 

[westernman]

I agree - risk it but somehow disable it when you leave. Take kill cord for examaple

I have a clinker dinghy and I take out the bung in the bottom of the boat.

 

[DPH]

I've left mine at Whitecliff serveral times and for several hours. Just take the kill-cord with me. Remember there is not a lot of beach left at high tide!