Securing outboard to yacht.

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rays

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Have just bought shiny new outboard. What do forumites use to stop it being stolen. I suppose the first issue is where do you leave it? Always left the old one locked to OB bracket on transom. Suppose we could leave it in locker when not on board. Also, think will cover top with Asda plastic bag rather than compound the problem with expensive OB cover much beloved of swindleries.
What about securing it? We used a padlock to lock the two handles together but,as SWBMO pointed out, a bloody great plastic covered chain would be more effective. Ideas welcomed.

CD
 
If your outboard has the facility, I'd through-bolt it to the transom. Run the bolts through a substantial steel plate on the inside to prevent the s-ds sawing through the transom.

If bolting is not possible, go for the heavy chain. Don't forget to mark your post-code/boat name etc inside the cover and elsewhere using an 'invisible' UV pen. Friends of mine have always stamped their details on the casing.

Frankly, and however a pain it is, if you are in an area with a thieving problem, I'd lock it away.
 
I used to lock the handles of my outboard together and thought that was OK until two events suggested otherwise.

1) I lost my keys and had to cut one of the handles with a hacksaw. It took no more than 10seconds to cut through......

2) undeterred by the above, I replaced the handle and locked it again in the same manner. Outboard was stolen and insurance refused to pay beacuse it was not a secure method of locking.

I suggest you invest in a proper outboard lock. You can get them from any chandler. Example

Even with one of these, I suspect that it could be stolen quite easily.

Suggest that you slap some ugly paint all over it and make it very "old and mankey"

Cheers

Wayne
 
I think one thing that is very important is to have a lock "approved" by your insurers (and keep the receipt), so in the event of theft they have no excuses not to pay out.
 
I use your method of securing wih a plastic garden bag over, I did buy a pukka outboard lock, but it wouldn't fit - bought at a boat show - couldn't get my money back. Yes a padlock that will fit is no problem to a hacksaw. I hope the mud and the threat of CCTV in the harbour are a deterrent, I'm getting a bit old in the tooth to keep fitting the outboard each time I go out.
NB. Aldi bags don't wear well - been there!
Tight Yorkshireman.
 
I have :
<ul type="square"> [*]An outboard lock fitted across the clamp screw handles with a good quality padlock [*]A length of hardened chain threaded between the exhaust housing and the drive shaft housing that goes around a stanchion with a good quality padlock [*]Another length of chain and padlock that goes through the carrying handle, behind the lock on the clamp screws and round a stanchion. [/list] The first two remain in place all the time the third is fitted only when the engine is raised.
Take care in selecting locks. I had one marked hardened which I cut easily with bolt croppers and subsequently found that I could cut easily with a hack saw as well. At least try 'em with a hack saw and if you can cut them take 'em back.

Mark it conspicuously in many places with your boat name, your post code etc also stamp or engrave your post code on it some where. (mine is stamped on the flywheel)

The only engine I had stolen was from in the cabin, so that's no good.

Best advice: dont leave it on the boat! I know too heavy to do otherwise.
 
If you look at many bicycle locks, they are rated in minutes - i.e. how long it takes a determined thief to break. Think the best you can buy (up around the £70 mark) are rated at about 10 minutes... The point being, if someone really wants your outboard or bike or whatever, a lock isn't going to stop them. I always leave my bike somewhere where there's lots of people about, but I guess that doesn't apply to outboards! inside a locked locker would be my favorite if leaving the boat.
 
I used to have a mooring in an isolated river often visited by thieves. I made a false bulkhead that blanked off one of the quarter berths and hid the outboard down there. Also made the washboards from thin plywood so they would break before the hardwood pieces they slotted into.

Boat was entered a couple of times and thieves too stupid to realize. (Luckilly)
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have just bought shiny new outboard.


[/ QUOTE ]

This is the crucial point -thieves love new shiny kit - makes it easier to sell according to the (very helpful genuinely ) police who I talked to. I used to have a nice neat outboard lock and a nice shiny Mariner with lovely cover- note the used to have !!

Myself now - old tatty covers - top painted vile luminous orange and boat name + postcode on OB leg + large chain and padlock

Love the idea of postcode on the flywheel - will get this done !

The idea is to make it too much bother for them to be able to get it easily and sell it easily!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Love the idea of postcode on the flywheel - will get this done !

[/ QUOTE ] Do it yourself. Everybody has a set of number and letter stamps haven't they? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Love the idea of postcode on the flywheel - will get this done !

[/ QUOTE ] Do it yourself. Everybody has a set of number and letter stamps haven't they? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


Will be doing them myself - great investment a few years ago - bought a set from Screwfix and have used them for everything from various bits in the garden, to my daughters bike,.

Just checked now on screwfix and are still under a tenner if anyone reading this wants a set - well worth while - just one tip - only hit the punch once with a firm 'sharp' tap -gives a clearer result -and if you want it to be very visible - rub a bit of white paint in the resultant stamp with your finder and then wipe off excess.
 
Yup i did the same - outboard was nicked - just used bolt croppers on chain. New outboard now painted in red and yellow stripes with boat name enamel painted to fly wheel (not sure about punching it) and also inside of cover. I got a very excellent lock from
OML
Marisco Workshops, Marisco,
Windsor Terrace, Falmouth,
Cornwall, TR11 3BW
Tel: +44 (0)1326 318101
Fax: +44 (0)1326 316819
Email: info@freewinds.co.uk

No relation!!

If you leave the outboard on the rubber duck a really determined thief only has to take a sharp knife and cut out the transom. Ah well you can only do so much.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If your outboard has the facility, I'd through-bolt it to the transom. Run the bolts through a substantial steel plate on the inside to prevent the s-ds sawing through the transom.



[/ QUOTE ] My insurers asked me to fit an outboard lock. When I pointed out it was bolted to the transom they insisted I drill one of the bolts and fit a padlock to that??
They have rules and you have to accept them.
I did as they asked and sent a photograph, asking them to approve the fitting. Then we both knew where we stood.

padlock1.jpg


padlock2.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
Love the idea of postcode on the flywheel - will get this done !

Do it yourself. Everybody has a set of number and letter stamps haven't they? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif


Will be doing them myself - great investment a few years ago - bought a set from Screwfix and have used them for everything from various bits in the garden, to my daughters bike,.

Just checked now on screwfix and are still under a tenner if anyone reading this wants a set - well worth while - just one tip - only hit the punch once with a firm 'sharp' tap -gives a clearer result -and if you want it to be very visible - rub a bit of white paint in the resultant stamp with your finder and then wipe off excess.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maplin's also do a set for about £10 which includes a punch so you don't need a hammer. Not sure of quality but will be going down to our Maplins for a look tomorrow!
 
Hi LS,

Yep, I like that idea, though I suppose they could either break or cut through the padlock. The steel plate idea was pinched from my days as a sports boater. A good few years ago a couple of boats here, in the Plymouth area, had the whole chunk of transom that the O/B was bolted to, cut off!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

As someone said earlier, I guess you can only do so much. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Yes. I pointed out the chainsaw technique to the insurers but they were satisfied with that. The padlock had to be all stainless steel.

As long as the insurers would cover it, that was fine by me.

Anyone who can lift a 250lb motor off a boat on a swinging mooring won't be put off by little things like padlocks.
 
I have seen a sportsboat with the stern chainsawed off. My tactics this year, with a shiny new engine, will be to padlock lightly the engine to put off the casual scumbag but I don't want a serious thief to do too much damage to the boat.

Will mark everything with my dremel.
 
Thank you for that PhilipH & Albert Ross this is HWMBO's business, he has put some additional ideas of how to deter the ______s on the web page under research paper, or if anyone wants further info contact me by pm with phone number/address

Make sure any lock you use is stainless, and that it is activated on a regular basis to keep the locking mechanism moving.
 
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