Lock-up the dingy in the Exumas?

[Content63]

Has anyone seen the need or recommend locking up your dingy in the Exumas? We'll be cruising from Great Exuma to Staniel Cay and was wondering if we should bring a cable to lock up the dingy when going to the various Cays for provisioning; exploring; etc. We've been in the Exumas a few times before...just not cruising...and I don't get the feeling that this is necessary. But I may be a bit naive in this regard too. Please let me know your thoughts...and thank you.

[dcondit]

We always just took the kill switch with us. We've never locked ours and had no problems. However, it's never a problem until it's a problem, so it can't hurt. Locks help keep honest people honest.

[Rackman]

Spent two weeks sailing throughout the Exumas and never locked the dinghy

[MicHughV]

I've been to the B'mas countless times...never once locked my dink, not in any island, at any bar, anywhere, day or night, nor found any need to.

Keep on mind, most all dinks will tie up to a designated "dinghy dock", which may have 4 cleats for 20 dinks...using a cable would be next to impossible in addition to being a pain in the butt for other sailors..

A newbie sailor can always be spotted by his/her use of cable and lock.

Just fugetabout it....leave the cable and lock at home.....you won't need it.

[Matt Johnson]

Always locked our dinghy - both outboard to the dinghy and dingy to the docks. We also always locked our boat too.

Keep in mind - It's not just the cost of replacement that's an issue, it's the availability of getting a new dinghy/outboard in the outer islands. Life would be difficult for a period without a tender.

Matt

[chris mac]

I've spent about 7 months in he exumas over the last 3 years. Haven't locked the dingy once, and have had no problems. I also haven't heard a confirmed case of theft here in that time. There have been reports of theft, but the dingy is usually found, intact, with a broken or missing painter.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

A newbie sailor can always be spotted by his/her use of cable and lock.

That’s not the sign of a newbie sailor. It’s the sign of anyone who stopped in parts of Florida first and lost their dinghy or outboard to theft. Ha ha ha.


I’m part of the club.

Lost directly off the boat (in bad parts of Florida):

Dinghy
Outboard
Mountain bike
Kayak
Manson Supreme 80lbs RIGHT FROM THE BOW ROLLER
Various items on a break in to the boat itself

People are probably just shell shocked when the finally get to the Bahamas and are continuing to take precautions

[MicHughV]

True, in Florida I wouldn't dream of leaving my dink unlocked anywhere, but not necessary in the B'mas.

I've come across more than one first time cruiser in the B'mas with chain and lock, but after a few weeks, they get into the groove, and the chain and lock cease being used.

Even in Nassau. Had some oars swiped there once, but not the dink. But could have been another cruiser though and not a local ?? I mean, who wants plastic oars ????

[team karst]

Chotu; how did u get the boat to Hialeah?

[GRIT]

Originally Posted by Matt Johnson

Always locked our dinghy - both outboard to the dinghy and dingy to the docks. We also always locked our boat too.

Keep in mind - It's not just the cost of replacement that's an issue, it's the availability of getting a new dinghy/outboard in the outer islands. Life would be difficult for a period without a tender.

Matt

Yes, me too. I lived in a very safe city, in a very safe province in Canada, and I locked the house too. It's like wearing a seat belt, it's a million to one chance that darn thing is going to do you any good. Then you get into an accident and are thankful for that ounce of prevention... The thing about locking the dink is... You never know if it worked as a deterrent, because it's still there when you get back.

Do as you will. There are very few places we don't lock the dink, or the boat, and we're no newbies!

Cheers.
Paul.

[sailjumanji]

When there is a dinghy dock, you can lock it up. But use a very long cable, so that other boats can also access the piling. If you are pulled up to a beach, there is nowhere to lock up to. But you can carry the kill switch with you. (Which are universal, so a decent thief probably carries one.)

I do know of a single hander that lost his dinghy on an Exuma Cay about five years ago. He went ashore to hike. Got up the hill and turned around to see two fisherman pulling his dinghy away with their fishing boat. He was a friend. He ended up having to use a paddle board for dinghy until he could arrange to get a replacement. Was cruising on a budget. The hit really hurt. Luckily he was young, and conditions can make a paddleboard tender tough at times. His dinghy was never recovered.

[MicHughV]

it's a little bit of work, but you can install a " secret" kill switch to help deter thieves...

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by team karst

Chotu; how did u get the boat to Hialeah?

Ha ha ha ha ha!

You didn’t see the Hialeah Canal on the chart???

Edit: wow. The Miami River goes there actually. I didn’t realize that.

[team karst]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Ha ha ha ha ha!

You didn’t see the Hialeah Canal on the chart???

Edit: wow. The Miami River goes there actually. I didn’t realize that.

I didn't take the river that far. not that brave. my last Hialeah story:
Working with a new-to-the-field engineer. We are behind barbed wire, secured site. We hear gunfire at about sundown. He looks a bit scared, since he is from W NY and not used to such activity. I told him not to worry, I heard 6 shots, the gun must be MT. I don't think he felt any better.

[Content63]

Thanks for your thoughts!