Washboard Lock

rrees

rrees

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Aug 2002
Messages
283
Location
Sardinia and moving East
www.cruisinglogs.org.uk
I am looking at a more secure option for my Washboard
Was in contact with a chap a few weeks ago about a SS padlock design sort of Hasp and Staple he had,
Seemed to be the business but lost the details silly me
Anyone know of a good souce for a high quality solution
Must look substancial as I am in the Med and will be Stern too the keyside so visuals are important
 
This is what I use to deter thieves.

First the Hatch-Latch is a very visible and substantial locking mechanism which can be used at sea from the inside to maintain watertight security if the hatches need to be battened down.
In harbour by adding the heavy duty padlock which Osprey marine can supply there is then an obvious further deterrent.

However, because some low life now use an industrial Stilson wrench to "wind-out" padlocks the Rotalok padlock defeats this tactic. The padlock is massively constructed and very heavy(2-3 lbs at a guess)


A very expensive solution, all-in-all, but better than a wrecked boat !!


http://www.ospreymarine.co.uk/ plus
www.rotalok.com
 
When my boat was broken into, the padlock was nothing special and could have been removed with bolt-cutters. But they didn't bother, they just smashed in the washboards. There is an argumnent for a system to deter the casual thief, but not result in major damage if they are determined.
 
Unfortunately I suspect that having the strapping exposed in this way lends itself to being levered off very easily. Most boatyards have large timbers, scaffolding poles and the like lying about. Anything like this would make short work of your arrangement.

My device, which I made, has no exposed parts that can be levered off or twisted with large Stilsons. Of course, a sledge hammer will make short work of most washboards. Even if made of polycarbonate it is doubtful if the guides and rebates will stand up to much.
 
Vyv,
whatever you put to "try" to stop entry, is only a token gesture. If they want to get in, they will, no matter what we put to make it difficult for entry. And, they don't care how much damage they cause as long as they can get what they want.

I know some people who take everything off the boat in the winter and leave it unlocked.

A friend of mine never locks his car. He surmises that the damage that is caused breaking in, will be less if they can just get in to get whatever.
 
I have to agree with that, my wive's sports car is never locked to avoid anyone slashing the roof to get in, but then it has no radio and a jolly good immobilser. On a similar note when my garage was broken into the doors were simply removed from the hinges and the lock left alone, so if someone really wants to get in you have had it!
 
Several people in my boatyard, including me, leave the boat unlocked throughout the winter. There have been a lot of break ins this year, those who had locked their boats have stuff missing and smashed up washboards, those who didn't just have stuff missing.

If my boat was broken in to I would be more concerned about the damage than the what was taken, but I guess it depends on how much vaulable stuff you have on the boat. Either way, using a huge unbreakable padlock to secure a bit of plywood seems a little futile, an alarm of some sort would probably be more effective.
 
Stilsons ..... and Chainsaws .....

Surveyed more than one boat for Damage report where the owner had "beefed" up security on hatches. The thieves chainsaw'd their way in ... another the companionway looked as though the Hulk had been having a go at it ... yes they got in.

The damage that was sustained was huge and very expensive to put right.

I've been to boats with transoms sawn out to take the outboard away etc.

The casual thief will turn away from most reasonable locks and visible stuff. But the serious guy will get in .... what ever you do.

Question .... you are at your boat late at night and have lost your keys ... you happen to have a tool-box in back of your car. So you grab box and start to cut of lock. Can a) you satisfy anyone who sees you that its your boat ?, b) does anyone really get involved when they see you doing this ?or do they do the usual trick of ignore it and not get involved ?

What I am illustrating is there is a sensible level and then over the top where you may end up with a terribly damaged boat far beyond the cost of replacement of some items from inside ....
 
[ QUOTE ]
I am looking at a more secure option for my Washboard

Must look substancial as I am in the Med and will be Stern too the keyside so visuals are important

[/ QUOTE ]

You could try covering the washboards with aluminium checkerplate, which is comparatively light and strong but, most of all, very visible.

However, as had been said before, anything you do will, realistically, only delay a determined break-in. As long as your insurers cannot invoke carelessness on your part, I would simply not leave anything that was irreplaceable or that had sentimental value on board.

Being "in the med" is no different to being anywhere else and the same rules of common sense appply: if you 'flash' what you have, don't be surprised when you lose it.
 
i understand this re car, tho there seem to be many petty crims who patrolthe street to try for an unlocked car.

Re boats, I cn make all sorts of noise on a boat and nobody knows if i'm a burglar. The "alarmed" stickers move them to an easier target tho...
 
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