Tracker on your outboard ?

[Alfie168]

This is quite an interesting You Tube video. No connection etc. I'm not suggesting anybody reveal if they have a tracker, but its something worth thinking about.

 

[pvb]

The Automatrics trackers are really interesting, they seem to have considered a lot of the problems and found solutions. Judging by their YouTube videos, they have a lot of success. I'd certainly consider one if my insurer insisted on a tracker.

 

[rogerthebodger]

My out board is painted bright orange so if someone steals it it's quite easy to see where it is an the colour also deters and tea leaves.

 

[pvb]

My out board is painted bright orange so if someone steals it it's quite easy to see where it is an the colour also deters and tea leaves.

Can't stolen outboards be repainted?

 

[rogerthebodger]

Can't stolen outboards be repainted?

Yes they can but it would be obvious as the painter would also need all the correct decals.

Its also painting of the inside would be the main identification as well as the series number.

Any tracking device could also be removed.

 

[rotrax]

I bought a 4HP Johnson twin from the 'FOR SALE ' forum.

Cheap, tatty, but a good runner - exactly what the advertiser said.

I removed all the decals, cleaned the white plastic cover and stenciled " HWA FONG CHINA MOTOR 1.75 HP " on it.

I had the idea it might not be too appealing to a tea leaf.........................................................

 

[Alfie168]

Yes they can but it would be obvious as the painter would also need all the correct decals.

Its also painting of the inside would be the main identification as well as the series number.

Any tracking device could also be removed.

That is true but they do design it to look like an engine component I am told so as not to stand out. The Automatrics one is also apparently 'dead' until activated so less likely to be found with a scanner used by said tea leaf. I only found out about this one by accident during my 'essential' You Tube research . I imagine the tea leaves know all about them. Its never a static game is it.

 

[Greenheart]

An amusing idea, that the newest and most desirable outboards could be intentionally styled to resemble as convincingly as possible, something no thief could easily sell on - one of the manufacturer's own, scratched, stained, UV-faded products from 40 years earlier. ?

 

[Davy_S]

The early Suzuki 65hp 2Ts were factory fitted with homing paint, the paint left after a few weeks use!
great engines though, they are much improved paint job now.

 

[Stemar]

I wish I'd had a tracker on my OB a year ago. It walked in spite of being postcoded and tatty from 15 years of use.

 

[C08]

My out board is painted bright orange so if someone steals it it's quite easy to see where it is an the colour also deters and tea leaves.

I deliberatly slothered silver hammerite paint over the leg bolts on my brand new 20Hp power tilt outboard and quite defaced it. The problem is many years later when I want to sell the outboard which looks as new, apart rom the paint!

 

[C08]

Interesting there are lots of second hand outboards for sale from Lithuania!

 

[Greenheart]

I suppose it must be possible to 'customise' or personalise an engine leg and cowling, quite uniquely, without making it look wretched.

A dashed great QR code that can be scanned from a distance, would be good, if it could be 'routed' into the surface, making it permanent.

 

[wonkywinch]

An amusing idea, that the newest and most desirable outboards could be intentionally styled to resemble as convincingly as possible, something no thief could easily sell on - one of the manufacturer's own, scratched, stained, UV-faded products from 40 years earlier. ?

Like those retro brand new paint jobs on camper vans, big Ford trucks etc that look rusty and patinated. Or even this vinyl wrap on a Porsche ..

 

[Daydream believer]

I bought a 4HP Johnson twin from the 'FOR SALE ' forum.
Cheap, tatty, but a good runner - exactly what the advertiser said.
I removed all the decals, cleaned the white plastic cover and stenciled " HWA FONG CHINA MOTOR 1.75 HP " on it.
I had the idea it might not be too appealing to a tea leaf.........................................................

One that had already been nicked then

 

[Daydream believer]

I do not have to do anything to my outboard-- It is a seagull ?
As for finding stollen items- even if one does have a tracker etc. do we believe that the police will actually bother to take any action to help retrieve the item?
If they have had a spate of marine thefts in an area then they may well do so. That could result in the perpetrator of a number of crimes in one go. For a single isolated crime? Somehow I have my doubts:

A lot will depend on where it is & the type of thief. In some cases the police will walk away from certain communities for various reasons. It just is not worth the hassle for something that can be claimed on insurance & will involve many officers & may intimidate group violence.

 

[Refueler]

Yes they can but it would be obvious as the painter would also need all the correct decals.

Its also painting of the inside would be the main identification as well as the series number.

Any tracking device could also be removed.

Decals on eBay .... paint at local shop ...

Serial # and inside colour is only IF you actually can check the physical item .....

Just saying.

 

[Greenheart]

Can one buy the things banks are said to include in their money-bundles, for transport...

...which explode when opened, splattering EVERYTHING in the vicinity with purple dye?

 

[James_Calvert]

Can one buy the things banks are said to include in their money-bundles, for transport...

...which explode when opened, splattering EVERYTHING in the vicinity with purple dye?

Wouldn't want anything like that in my car when the cowling catch snags something...

 

[Paulg25]

My out board is painted bright orange so if someone steals it it's quite easy to see where it is an the colour also deters and tea leaves.

Reminds of when I worked in Peterborough several years ago. A colleagues brother had a compressor stolen (the type you tow behind a vehicle). It was painted bright pink with his company name on it in yellow. It was spotted on a local 'travellers' site so the police were duly informed. the response was "how do you know it's yours?" He pointed out the obvious distinctive markings. The response to this was "they may have liked your paint job and copied it".