Recently I got my boat, a Hunter 240, from the community boat storage (an area fenced in with barbed wire across the top). I realized that someone had pried the lock off the hatch and gotten in. Fortunately they didn't take anything or damage anything else. Has anyone done anything to make the companionway hatch more secure? I'm sure it took little effort to pry the latch out of the wood. I realize the lock may simply be enough to keep honest people out. Thanks
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Jonathan Costello
I've often thought the same
Lee, I am a new boat owner and being the cynical person I am I have often thought about this very issue. My opinion is the same as yours in that the small lock on the companionway will only keep honest people out. If anything is stolen or damaged it may be covered under your homeowners policy. I opted to get a policy on my boat and have a $250 deductable. I will be curious as to what other people have done. Short of keeping your boat at your house or hiring a big guy named Butch or Bubba (no offense to anyone with that name) to guard your boat, what can be done if you keep your boat at a yacht club or at a public storage where you don't see it for weeks at a time.
Lee, I am a new boat owner and being the cynical person I am I have often thought about this very issue. My opinion is the same as yours in that the small lock on the companionway will only keep honest people out. If anything is stolen or damaged it may be covered under your homeowners policy. I opted to get a policy on my boat and have a $250 deductable. I will be curious as to what other people have done. Short of keeping your boat at your house or hiring a big guy named Butch or Bubba (no offense to anyone with that name) to guard your boat, what can be done if you keep your boat at a yacht club or at a public storage where you don't see it for weeks at a time.
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Mark Sanford
Use a Small Lock!
I too have been broken into. My recommendation is to use a small lock that will give way easily if forced. This will save you excessive rework to your FG hatch slider & pin boards if broken into. I also do not keep any valuables or alcohol on board. Most theives are looking for electronics etc that they can easily sell. The lock really does only keep the honest people out. I was fortunate in my situation as the theif was considerate enough to close my hatch to keep out the rain!
I too have been broken into. My recommendation is to use a small lock that will give way easily if forced. This will save you excessive rework to your FG hatch slider & pin boards if broken into. I also do not keep any valuables or alcohol on board. Most theives are looking for electronics etc that they can easily sell. The lock really does only keep the honest people out. I was fortunate in my situation as the theif was considerate enough to close my hatch to keep out the rain!
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Rick Webb
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Steve O.
Me, too
A few years ago I went through this. They broke the hasp and damaged the boards, but I had no alcohol or CD player so they got nothing. I don't think there's much you can do short of making stronger boards for the off season. Or maybe boiler plate!
A few years ago I went through this. They broke the hasp and damaged the boards, but I had no alcohol or CD player so they got nothing. I don't think there's much you can do short of making stronger boards for the off season. Or maybe boiler plate!
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John
Second small lock
I totally agree with Mark. I use short screws to hold the hasp and a very light lock to keep honest folks honest. If someone wants to break in, they will. My goal is to keep any forced entry damage to a minimum. I also keep very little of value on the boat, but doubt anyone likely to break in knows in advance. I have found that those who put stronger locks and hasps on their entries and the like tend to have more damage when someone forces their way in. I did put a magnetic switch based alarm (radioshack parts) on one boat, but doubt the thing would have made enough noise to attract attention.
I totally agree with Mark. I use short screws to hold the hasp and a very light lock to keep honest folks honest. If someone wants to break in, they will. My goal is to keep any forced entry damage to a minimum. I also keep very little of value on the boat, but doubt anyone likely to break in knows in advance. I have found that those who put stronger locks and hasps on their entries and the like tend to have more damage when someone forces their way in. I did put a magnetic switch based alarm (radioshack parts) on one boat, but doubt the thing would have made enough noise to attract attention.
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Jonathan Costello
Mais Yeah Rick!
I done forgot about dat Boudreaux and Thibodaux wit der white shrimpin' boots yeah don dat Bayou Lafourche!
I done forgot about dat Boudreaux and Thibodaux wit der white shrimpin' boots yeah don dat Bayou Lafourche!
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Dick
Alarm?
Why not an alarm system. Might chase thief away from your boat and others. There has got to be a 12V system or one that is battery operated that could be adapted. I think I've seen an alarm that can be used on a hotel room door when you travel. If all else fails, put one of those "Warning - Alarm" stickers on the boat.
Why not an alarm system. Might chase thief away from your boat and others. There has got to be a 12V system or one that is battery operated that could be adapted. I think I've seen an alarm that can be used on a hotel room door when you travel. If all else fails, put one of those "Warning - Alarm" stickers on the boat.
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Per Albinsson
STOP-sign
We made a sign to put by the ladder on our 240; STOP, before you do something stupid you should know that this boat doesn´t contain CD-player, electronics, tools or alcohol! (in Swedish of course)
We made a sign to put by the ladder on our 240; STOP, before you do something stupid you should know that this boat doesn´t contain CD-player, electronics, tools or alcohol! (in Swedish of course)
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Tim Daley
West Marine has one
I suffered a similar fate earlier this summer to the tune of about $1,500 in losses and my lockset was literally pulled right out of the wood and tossed overboard ( I assume ). It was a good thing that it came out easily as some of my dockmates required surgery to repair their damage. Anyway, West Marine sells a battery-operated motion alarm for about $45. I, unfortunately, cannot vouch for its effectiveness as mine was defective and is now back at the factory
I suffered a similar fate earlier this summer to the tune of about $1,500 in losses and my lockset was literally pulled right out of the wood and tossed overboard ( I assume ). It was a good thing that it came out easily as some of my dockmates required surgery to repair their damage. Anyway, West Marine sells a battery-operated motion alarm for about $45. I, unfortunately, cannot vouch for its effectiveness as mine was defective and is now back at the factory
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Chuck
King Tuts Curse
what the hell, it just might work. Just don't be the first one to crack the hatch next season.
what the hell, it just might work. Just don't be the first one to crack the hatch next season.
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John
Sorta Motion Detector,,,
I had my SJ-24 moored in the bay, and the thieves stole the OB, Winch Handles, Mainsheet, 1 Lewmar Winch, and other items. OB was Double Chained and Locked but a Thief has tools that will gain the access to anything. I put a Home Made on my H-22 yesterday, is a 12v line that runs to every Hatch and if the Circuit is Broken flood lights on Mast light on, also a Red Strobe on the Bow and all Cabin Lights. These lights are on a 3rd 12v Batt in the Bow that is taken off the Bank when not chargeing. I do not know if it is going to actually stop anyone that is determined, but it sure will stop anyone that does not wished to be seen. Is a simple little system, just put Electronic Connecters that meet at all Closure points, and if Circuit is interrupted/broken will light up like a Parade Boat. Of course Insurance is the allways the best way to go, (wich I have), I just dont wanna go through that again, so maybe the system I made will work.
I had my SJ-24 moored in the bay, and the thieves stole the OB, Winch Handles, Mainsheet, 1 Lewmar Winch, and other items. OB was Double Chained and Locked but a Thief has tools that will gain the access to anything. I put a Home Made on my H-22 yesterday, is a 12v line that runs to every Hatch and if the Circuit is Broken flood lights on Mast light on, also a Red Strobe on the Bow and all Cabin Lights. These lights are on a 3rd 12v Batt in the Bow that is taken off the Bank when not chargeing. I do not know if it is going to actually stop anyone that is determined, but it sure will stop anyone that does not wished to be seen. Is a simple little system, just put Electronic Connecters that meet at all Closure points, and if Circuit is interrupted/broken will light up like a Parade Boat. Of course Insurance is the allways the best way to go, (wich I have), I just dont wanna go through that again, so maybe the system I made will work.
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Don
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Ron Mehringer
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