Dinghy Theft....

MrBill_FLL · Jan 28, 2011

I don't think its a big problem in Florida. but down in the islands its pretty common. some times locals, and sometimes fellow cruisers taking it with them...

1st thing is lock the engine to the dingy. 2nd is a cable thru a bow eye to a dock cleat

I saved some old lifeline and put 2 loops in the ends and swagged them. so now I have a 20' of ss cable and an abus lock for when I need it.

but at some point, if they want it that bad, I guess they going
to take it.

Andy1237 · Jan 28, 2011

Some thefts could be due to "DSK Failure" (Drunk Sailor Knot Failure). And once the dinghy drifts away it is anybody's claim except for the few generous souls that seek out the DS

Bob 04 H260 · Jan 28, 2011

Sum, I have been warned about leaving the dinghy unlocked at a few places in Florida, (Lake Worth, Sunset Lake). Other crusiers will usually tell you if there is a problem in the area. We usually poke around the anchorage in the dinghy talking to people after we get anchored before heading to shore. There are places you have to cable the dink up to a fence or seawall at a bridge with no one really around. We were told to not leave anything in the dink and do not leave it at night. We have a long cable with one end locked to the dink with the OBmotor lock, the other end has a big brass master lock. I have never been concerned at a dinghy dock.
Bob
(are you guys on your honeymoon now ?

)

jimford2158 · Jan 28, 2011

Fortunately no problems, but I keep mine locked on deck with the motor down below. My slip is at a private marina on a open water area with houses all around. People that live there are around 24/7. If I have to, I can deflate it and store below deck. Sometimes gets a little windy here so I keep it tied down real good. No davits at this time.

caguy · Jan 29, 2011

Dinghy Theft

No worries here, you can't even get your own dink out!

Sailm8 · Jan 29, 2011

I have not heard of any thefts in this area (Charlotte Harbor). I have heard of whole boats (power) being stolen along with props (powerboats on lifts), fishing gear, and batteries.

Lee Coller · Jan 29, 2011

Re: Dinghy Theft

caguy -- 2010 4th of July Weekend (coldest 4th I've ever seen)?

Steve Kamp · Jan 29, 2011

It is not uncommon for unsecured dinks to go on walkabout in the Bahamas, sometimes being borrowed without permission and as often as not the result of the owner/driver having had too many goombay smashes.

rgranger · Jan 29, 2011

Yuck

caguy said:
No worries here, you can't even get your own dink out!

That does not look like any fun at all.

Rick Sylvester · Jan 29, 2011

Dinghy thefts? South Florida? What?

Oh my. And now you can go to some places and they steal YOU.

RichH · Jan 30, 2011

The north end of Lake Worth is a 'reknown' area for dinghy theft ... and also but 'variable intensity' in Marathon/Boot Key harbor. Many of the more crowded anchorages and harbors in 'de islands' are prime theft areas --- mostly for the OBs,

I use a 20-25+ft. vinyl covered 3/8" ss cable — attached/locked to the OB — through an eyebolt (attachment bolt is peened-over) on the wood transom — then through one of the 'lifeline' attachment rings on the bow — terminating to a STRONG padlock at BOTH ends. The cable locks the OB TO the boat as well as the dink to shore/mothership.

If someone wants my dinghy or OB its going to take a LOT of work ... and most other 'secured' dinghies have 'flimsy' cables, and attachment points - mine is usually the 'most' secured and hopefully are 'hardest' target. When 'at' the mothership the boat is up on the davits, yet still padlocked to the mothership. If feel the MORE work it takes to steal provides a 'somewhat' higher level of security.

Maddog · Jan 30, 2011

caguy said:
No worries here, you can't even get your own dink out!

Two Harbors, Catalina Island.

It's even more fun after 2 or 6 Buffalo Milks or BeerFest.
Done it more than a few times.

caguy · Jan 30, 2011

Maddog said:
Two Harbors, Catalina Island.

It's even more fun after 2 or 6 Buffalo Milks or BeerFest.
Done it more than a few times.

That's when the fun begins, after the bar closes and all of the drunks try to leave at the same time.

Maddog · Jan 31, 2011

caguy said:
That's when the fun begins, after the bar closes and all of the drunks try to leave at the same time.

I've barked my knees a few times on that pitching dock. I wished they would make it a little bigger. I understand the enviro permits to do that are horrendous.

Ron20324 · Jan 31, 2011

Andy1237 said:
...And once the dinghy drifts away it is anybody's claim except for the few generous souls that seek out the DS

If you have a LifeTag MOB system on your boat you can stash a module in the dinghy. When it is about 30 feet from the mothership it sounds an alarm.

Ross · Jan 31, 2011

Maddog said:
Two Harbors, Catalina Island.

It's even more fun after 2 or 6 Buffalo Milks or BeerFest.
Done it more than a few times.

The picture that came with this post supports my view that you should paint your dink like a 1960's hippy's VW Bus. That way you could spot it a mile away and no one could honestly claim an honest mistake.

RichH · Jan 31, 2011

ummmmm ... In the FL Keys, its the 'retired' old hippies, etc. who live in the mangrove swamps that probably do most of the 'dink thefting'. They'd probably prefer their 'new' dink already 'pre-painted'. :-o