Removing an outboard motor lock

[Canopy Locked]

As the title says - New (to me) old boat - engine needs to come off - there is a lock over one of the mounting bolts as per the pic.

There is no key; there is no room to get down to the lock and try to drill.

My only thought is to drill off the bolt head from the outside (okay access) and punch the bolt through into the boat.

Has anyone done this or had similar and solved it differently?

Thanks
Rob

 

[CliveF]

It looks more like a cap over the thread to me.
There is a small hole in the top and I suspect there is either a grub screw or a roll pin in there.
Difficult though it may be that needs to come out then the stainless cap should either come off or screw off.

Good luck.

 

[Ribtecer]

I had to cut mine off, second hand boat that didn't come with a key, I was upgrading the engine.

Strange to be advising what to do, although in all probability, thieves would not ask here.

I used a 4.5 inch angle grinder and cut a vertical slice out of the bolt and then hit it off with a cold chisel so not to damage the aluminium saddle of the outboard.

 

[Refueler]

Same problem .... but engine was off boat .... had a serious tubular locking barrel over the hand screw.

Angle grinder put paid to it ... but it meant the hand screw under it was ruined - so replaced with threaded stud bar and nuts.

 

[Boater Sam]

A thermic lance will remove it easily.

 

[simonfraser]

this kind of power saw will cut through the bolt, can be battery powered too

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

There are people who will know how to get this off, but they keep a very low profile

 

[Canopy Locked]

Thanks for the replies - Not a crim' promise!
Reckon angle grinder 1st, if can't get enough access, then drill off the bolt head. Thermal Lance ... nice idea .. possibly a tad overkill

 

[penfold]

A nice sharp drill the same size as the bolt or slightly larger, through the head and no damage; angry grinders will do the job but the risk of collateral damage is much higher.

 

[chrishscorp]

A cheap plumbers freeze kit adapted to cover that then smack it with a hammer it will shatter, very few padlocks / d locks will resist. ?

 

[Refueler]

A nice sharp drill the same size as the bolt or slightly larger, through the head and no damage; angry grinders will do the job but the risk of collateral damage is much higher.

If its a proper lock - then drill won't touch it .... they are extremely hard metal designed to resist !!

Mine - I tried all sorts before resorting to angle grinder .... what did not help also - the lock barrel of mine span loosely ... needing the Key to engage barrel and inner part to remove. Guy who sold motor to me had lost the key after removing from the workboat .... I know its a 'stolen' motor as it has Registry papers etc. from his Fishing Boat ...

 

[penfold]

That may be; the picture posted shows an outboard bolted onto a transom, the bolt is unlikely to be anything other than 304 or 316 stainless steel and readily drilled with DIY equipment.