Most people securing their boat at a dock or marina for the night have had that little bit of concern inside them for the security of their boat and boating gear. Piracy on the high seas was one of the earlier acts of criminal behavior, and today boat theft is still a concern. Moorings in the water or docks without security can be particular targets. To help reduce the chance of having your boat broken in to and having your property taken, or worse, there are some simple things that you can do to protect yourself and minimize your risk.
BoatUS provides the following suggestions:
"Suggestions to make your boat
less vulnerable
BoatUS provides the following suggestions:
"Suggestions to make your boat
less vulnerable
Begin by looking at your
boat through the eyes of a thief: How hard would it be to steal the boat? How
long would it take?
What would you have to do
to break in? Is there equipment that isn’t protected?
·
Most
boats are stolen while on their trailer; don’t make it easy for a thief to hook
it up and take off. If possible, park the trailer away from the road. If you
must leave your boat in the driveway, don’t leave the hitch facing the street.
Chain your trailer to a tree or a sturdy post. If not, remove one or more tires
and store them inside along with the lug nuts. Not only does this make it
impossible to pull the trailer; it prolongs tire life and reduces the chances
of a flat. Consider removing the license plate and lights as well; the last
thing a thief wants is a traffic stop. Simply locking the hitch or removing the
coupler is not always enough; some thieves carry coupler devices that can be
quickly attached to the trailer.
·
Use
locks on props, outboards, and outdrives. Buy good quality hardened steel locks
that aren’t easily defeated.
·
Whenever
possible, store equipment at home. If you have a small outboard engine, it’s
much safer in your garage than hanging on your boat’s transom. The more stuff
you take off, the less attractive your boat will be to a thief."
Read the rest of the tips here: Avoiding Theft
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