What is best front door lock? Electronic? Yes. no?

[Paulinep]

I am currently installing a new front door but need help in deciding a locking system. I gave heard some bad stuff about electronic locking devices. Anyone with good advice?

[Hudson Force]

"Front Door" is a bit confusing in describing a vessel's entry point. Are you speaking of a companionway slide that pulls over a set of crib boards as typical on a sailboat? Would this be a Motor Vessel with a typical swinging door on hinges? More common among "sportfish" vessels are the sliding doors.

In addition, there are locks for when you are away and locks that prevent entry while you are below or both.

[StuM]

New user, first post, strange open question which may or may not be boat related?

Another one from SA perchance?

(I hesitate to use the "T" word).

Perhaps Paulinep would care to enlighten us with more details of the location and purpose of the intended lock.

[Badsanta]

It must be a house boat.

Sent from my SM-G860P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by StuM

New user, first post, strange open question which may or may not be boat related?

Another one from SA perchance?

(I hesitate to use the "T" word).

Perhaps Paulinep would care to enlighten us with more details of the location and purpose of the intended lock.

I can't help but treat questions with respect and then just let them fade away if they're not sincere. I have chronic ataraxis!

[Red Sky]

Originally Posted by StuM

New user, first post, strange open question which may or may not be boat related?

Another one from SA perchance?

(I hesitate to use the "T" word).

Perhaps Paulinep would care to enlighten us with more details of the location and purpose of the intended lock.

Careful Stu, you might get called a name if you use it.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Red Sky

Careful Stu, you might get called a name if you use it.

Yep, I've been rapped over the knuckles here before for using it.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Paulinep.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Paulinep

I am currently installing a new front door but need help in deciding a locking system

I am just going to assume you're talking about a boat and want to lock the companionway.

The first thing to do is check if your insurance company has some minimal requirements. If so, start from there.

Hard to say more without knowing what kind of "front door" you want to lock

My personal opinion (sailboat): if someone really wants to come inside, they will. The only thing the lock will do is determine the amount of damage done to my boat ...

My insurance is OK with a simple padlock, so that's what I'm using. Easy to break open without breaking the hatch, so the damage would hopefully be minimal.
Whatever I leave behind on the boat is not worth the damage the boat would suffer if I used a better lock.
A laptop or TV etc. is much easier to replace and not worth the damage - at least, that is my personal opinion.

[exMaggieDrum]

An electronic lock in a house (or house boat) is one thing and on a boat on the hook is entirely different. The AC power on houses usually stays losing power to open the door is not a problem. On a boat the power is not as reliable (mostly but we all know not 100%). I'd hate to be locked out with flat batteries. And breaking a window on a house to get in is a lot easier to repair than a hatch on a boat. And finding a key hole is a lot easier at night in the dark is a lot easier than punching a pad after a few cocktails on another boat or onshore. It wouldn't be for me.

[CSY Man]

I had electronic locks on a rental building for short-term tenants.
They worked great, batteries lasted a couple of years and the keypad lit up
when you touched it. Easy to change code when new tenants moved in. (Or when you
Get a new girl friend)

Not sure those keypads are good for boats however, exposed to salt spray and all.

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by Paulinep

I am currently installing a new front door but need help in deciding a locking system. I gave heard some bad stuff about electronic locking devices. Anyone with good advice?

For a boat or a house? We do not have locks on our house. Boat was never locked but looked locked. Best lock is to have the place look like its occupied. Lots of dinks tied to boat, radio on at the dock, timer on lights when anchored, and a house dog should do the trick. Worked with us.

[powsmias]

Originally Posted by Paulinep

I am currently installing a new front door but need help in deciding a locking system. I gave heard some bad stuff about electronic locking devices. Anyone with good advice?

Medeco.. i've been a locksmith for 35 yrs. no comparison..
if you need any more help with this pm me.

[redhead]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

I can't help but treat questions with respect and then just let them fade away if they're not sincere. I have chronic ataraxis!

OkAY - I give - what is ataraxis??? Perhaps I spelled it wrong when I searched but nothing came up? (I just love new words...)

[goat]

Originally Posted by Paulinep

I am currently installing a new front door but need help in deciding a locking system. I gave heard some bad stuff about electronic locking devices. Anyone with good advice?

I'd use the same system you have on your back door. Whatever you use, make sure you can use it while trolling.

goat