Dinghy Security

[Panamax.]

Ok. Next topic. So, we are buying our boat and need a dinghy. You folks have been great proving advice on that one. So now, as we prepare to purchase our commuter boat, how do you keep it in your hands (vice those of another whim has chosen a life on someone else's dime?

[s/v Moondancer]

In seven years cruising the Caribbean we know a dozen cruisers who have had the dinghy stolen! We met an older German in Cartagena that had had two dinghies stolen in a week...it happened every time he entertained a 'lady-of-the-night' on his boat...an interesting complication of Viagra!

You have to make it hard work for them to steal your dinghy...

The engine, which is what they really want, is locked with a heavy bar that hides the locking lugs. Nobody wants a 2 hp 4 stroke, it is the 15 hp Yamaha's they take.

We lift the dingy every night and lock it to the boat.

On dinghy docks it is secured with a 3/8 inch chain and a very heavy lock that would require a grinder to cut. We avoid leaving the dingy on isolated docks.

A lot of work but necessary to keep the expensive dinghy and engine safe.

[amphibious1]

People like shiny stuff including thieves. When a bought my cat it had a nice AB dingy and a 15hr Yamaha enduro that looked new. Just about ever time I pulled up to a dock some one said wow nice Yamaha enduro. After about 10 times of that I duck taped all the lettering and actually made it look like the tape is holding the hole thing together. Now people say dam did you drop that motor down a flight of stairs??
I always lift and lock it as well.
If you leave it in the water at night it will leave.

[JPA Cate]

Probably the most secure thing you can do it to hoist it and chain it. Efforts to free it are likely to awaken you, and many times, just a bright flashlight shown on the perps will make them go away.

[MarkJ]

As the others say.

This lock is $120 and I have to stuff mine with rag so it doesnt rattle but the cant easily get it off.



Caribbean's Leading Chandlery - Budget Marine


And a whopping great chain to secure the dink.

Lift it AND lock it to your boat at night. Mine is locked so the have to climb onto the big boat to cut the cable, they can't do it from the water or another boat.

[barnakiel]

I know of two methods that actually seem to work:

1) lock it,
2) have one that nobody cares to steal.

We are with 2) and we 1) it in places known for dinghy theft.

b.

[Paul L]

Garhaeur sells a nice stainless outboard lock for $55.

[gah964]

I have a smart phone that's finds my phone where ever it is. and its a free service. I put it in the engine cover.god help the guy who steels my motor.
You can get a cheap track phone with internet service at Wal-Mart. still way cheaper then SPOT TRACE.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by gah964

I have a smart phone that's finds my phone where ever it is. and its a free service. I put it in the engine cover.god help the guy who steels my motor.
You can get a cheap track phone with internet service at Wal-Mart. still way cheaper then SPOT TRACE.

Tough environment for a phone to survive in. How do you keep the phone charged?

[AnchorageGuy]

The only real secure way to keep the dinghy is to haul it on deck and chain it down every evening. Another option is dinghy davits, easier than hauling on deck. Use a chain and not a cable. Thieves will quickly cut through any cable with nothing more than a pair of wire cutters, one strand at a time. Use a long length of chain and it will rattle and make noise when disturbed. Lock the outboard securely since that is what most thieves are after and not so much the dinghy. Insure the dinghy and outboard along with the boat. There is a cable that has an alarm that goes off when cut. This is a good ADDITION to the chain. Be sure to lock down the gas tanks also, they are a favorite item to steal. Include the other advise you have already received. Our dinghy or outboard has never been stolen but our gas tank has. We forgot to lock it down in St. Augustine at the municipal marina. Chuck

[gah964]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Tough environment for a phone to survive in. How do you keep the phone charged?

my phone is water proof,also I only put it there at night.I seen online the dog collars with a gps tracking that would be a good option for long term.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by gah964

my phone is water proof,also I only put it there at night.I seen online the dog collars with a gps tracking that would be a good option for long term.

How about a proximity alarm.

A Klaxon is wired with a hold open relay on the circuit. The solenoid circuit is wired to the dink. If the dink circuit breaks the alarm relay is "made" and the Klaxon goes off on the mother ship.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

How about a proximity alarm.

A Klaxon is wired with a hold open relay on the circuit. The solenoid circuit is wired to the dink. If the dink circuit breaks the alarm relay is "made" and the Klaxon goes off on the mother ship.

Most boat alarm controllers have inputs for both Normally Open and Normally Closed input sensors.

[zeehag]

i merely use a dink no one wants and row row row. no one wants oars, yet.... and secure to boat well so it makes a racket when it is trying to disappear.

[Randyonr3]

Ran across a guy a few years ago that painted his outboard "PINK".. said " Who would have the balls to steal and use a pink outboard....................