Outboard locks

[PhilipH]

What's the best method for securing the outboard to the dinghy i.e. so some bustard can't nick it?

Thanks

 

[peteandthira]

I had a length of rigging cable made up inside some hosepipe, with eyes at each end. My outboard has a carrying handle affair which I pass the cable through. The other end goes through a lifting eye on the dinghy transom. A single padlock secures it to the dinghy.

The same cable also secures it to the boat when not on the dinghy.

None of this would prevent theft from someone "going equipped", but then, what would?

I also have a 3m length of the same, for padlocking it to a pontoon cleat whilst I go to the pub.

It all cost me about a tenner from the local rigger.

Pops

 

[Malcb]

I use one of these
The reason being, I have the receipt and if the outboard is stolen at least I can prove to the insurance company that I took reasonable precautions to prevent theft. That is why I don't use cheaper DIY methods, which are just as easily circumvented IMHO.

 

[billcowan]

Didnt they test one of those recently in one of the comix, and it took their 'theif' about 10 secs to smash it

 

[Rabbie]

I am of the school that wants the engine to stay on the boat at all costs rather than face the hassle of insurance claims etc. I use one of these which although pricey has given me peace of mind for 5 years on a swinging mooring all year round. Nigh unforceable. http://www.seamarknunn.com/catalog/items/item3075.htm

 

[Malcb]

[ QUOTE ]
Didnt they test one of those recently in one of the comix, and it took their 'theif' about 10 secs to smash it




[/ QUOTE ]
More than likely, but at least I can show to the insurance company, via a receipt, that I have taken reasonable precautions to prevent a theft using a recognised lock. Can you say that if you use a bit of 'wire' and a padlock.
All I am concerned about is that if the outboard gets pinched then I can get it replaced at no cost to myself.

 

[philip_stevens]

Try one of these locks.. PBO's thief did get it off, but the maker, (when I met him in Falmouth) said that they had to cut it beforehand.

The one I have is the bottom of the range, model "A".

A thief would have to come well equipped to get it off.

 

[VicMallows]

I don't know what sort of outboard you are protecting, but it always strikes me that at least with a small one (c.£300) it's not usually worth claiming, especialy if several years old. £100 perhaps excess; they'll almost certainly not pay new-for-old; your next years premium will probably go up. So why do we insure at all?

Just my jaundiced opinion of insurance generally.

Vic

 

[bobgoode]

---------------------------------------------------------------

Try one of these locks.. PBO's thief did get it off, but the maker, (when I met him in Falmouth) said that they had to cut it beforehand.

The one I have is the bottom of the range, model "A".

A thief would have to come well equipped to get it off.

----------------------------------------------------------------
got one and they are the bees knees...don't settle for less although it is damn near worth more than the outboard.

 

[William_H]

I am a great believer in rigging wire with an eye on each end and a padlock. If you have ever tried to cut this stuff especially the 7x19 then you would feel fairly confident. Youc an wrap it around all sorts of things to make them secure. ollewill

 

[Blueboatman]

Another useful ideas is to personalise the colour scheme with garish spray paint,duct tape,using an old cracked cowling instead of the shiny standard one or by adding a couple of large short bolts through the carrying handle or casing.In fact anything to make it readily identifiable and look like a piece of s--- thus making it distinctive and worthless to the sell-it-on type of thief.

 

[samwise]

The point is to present an obvious deterrent. A determined or "professional" thief will nick the engine anyway, but if yours has a lock or chain or whatever, he may move on to an easier option. The best anti-thief protection I saw was on a liveaboard in La Coruna where they had "customised" the outboard livery and painted the cover and leg orange with pretty flowers all over. May not do much for resale value, but then that's the whole idea to make it not worth nicking. Same philosophy applied by a cruising friend who bought one of those brilliant pink colour "Barbie" inflatables. He was ribbed ( no pun intended) unmercifully, but his view was that thieves would pass it over in favour of more sober ( and saleable) boats.

 

[waterboy]

I use one of those sliding lockable clamp cover thingies. It does give me good peace of mind. I also use a pull toggle lock. This recently saved the dinghy and outboard being nicked from a mid river pontoon on the Hamble. However, the scrotes peed in my petrol tank instead which cost a few bob to fix. Still, it was a lot cheaper than a claim and replacement.