Theft

[OldBawley]

Warning. Rumour spreads that lots of outboards and dinghy´s are stolen in the Poros ( Saronic ) area.
Also Hydra.
I have a small Seagull and a rigid dinghy. Safe as in safe for theft.

 

[TQA]

Well I had similar delusions about my 28 year old Johnson. The tea leaf passed up a brand knew Honda 4st which was unsecured on the next door mooring to cut my security cable and steal my old Johnson.

It was later recovered well partially as bits had been sold. The house was full of old Johnsons and Evinrudes all stolen to feed the spares market.

The theft occurred in St Barts during the bucket and the OB was recovered on the French side of St Marten.

 

[OldBawley]

Some years ago, back in Fethiye Turkey I have seen how thieves work.

Anchored in Fethiye bay, just 200 yards from the Coast guard station. Night. Reading in bed. Heard a noise at the bowsprit chains, then someone knocked quietly. Went out, some guy in a small rowing boat was moored against our bowsprit and was “Fishing”. No problem.
15 minutes later, the fisher moved. Saw him leaving in the dark. Our neighbours had heard no knocking. Neither heard the removal of their dinghy.

Long time Turkey cruisers told me that at the end of the season, the gullets returning to Istanbul take a “found” dinghy with them. In those days a small rib or inflatable costed a years earnings for one of them gullet guys. The gullets returning South find a dinghy in the North. That way things stay balanced.
Don´t know how much of this is true, fact is that most dinghy thefts done are end season.

My Seagull is useless for spare parts. Seagulls don´t need spare parts. That is why I traded my “modern” Johnson for an indestructible Seagull.

 

[geem]

Having had one rib/engine combo stolen in Northern Spain a couple of years ago we hoist our rib every night whereever we are. Takes about 2mins with electric windlass just hooking spinnaker halyard to bridle in the rib. We hoist it to rest on guardwires rather than hull so it is high out of the water. Dogs sleep in cockpit so we have two burgler alarms that bite as well....