Is your boat safe in its marina, at its mooring, or on its trailer? Is it safe from both extreme weather and theft an/or vandalism? What do you to secure your vessel from the bad elements or weather and society?
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Ed Schenck
I think it is safe....
Interesting question. I never worry about it so I answered YES. And it is old so all the boats around me would be better choices if theft is the concern. The hatch is locked, of course, but any key will start the motor if they can get to the battery switch. The four lockers have little Masterlocks that you could open with a large screwdriver. I worry more about it sinking since it is way out in the marina. I don't know if I believe that there is any kind of patrol. I don't see it when I am there. Weather is not a problem, we are about a mile from Lake Erie on a deep river. The river bends so there is never any wave action. We do secure it well with heavy docklines however, we get some stiff winds.
Interesting question. I never worry about it so I answered YES. And it is old so all the boats around me would be better choices if theft is the concern. The hatch is locked, of course, but any key will start the motor if they can get to the battery switch. The four lockers have little Masterlocks that you could open with a large screwdriver. I worry more about it sinking since it is way out in the marina. I don't know if I believe that there is any kind of patrol. I don't see it when I am there. Weather is not a problem, we are about a mile from Lake Erie on a deep river. The river bends so there is never any wave action. We do secure it well with heavy docklines however, we get some stiff winds.
Safe? Yes very safe.
Our Hunter is located in a cozy marina in the California Delta. This area probably resembles the Chesapeak more than any other place that I can think of. We are berthed in a private marina where the owners live on site. They cruise the marina daily looking at the boats. They even walk the docks periodically checking for plugged cockpit drains, bilge pumps that are cycling too often etc. If you have a known problem with your boat, you just ask them to check on it and it is done. We consider our marina as safe as they come. We do not even bother to lock the boat. PS: They have some open slips.
Our Hunter is located in a cozy marina in the California Delta. This area probably resembles the Chesapeak more than any other place that I can think of. We are berthed in a private marina where the owners live on site. They cruise the marina daily looking at the boats. They even walk the docks periodically checking for plugged cockpit drains, bilge pumps that are cycling too often etc. If you have a known problem with your boat, you just ask them to check on it and it is done. We consider our marina as safe as they come. We do not even bother to lock the boat. PS: They have some open slips.
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Jay Hill
Relatively Safe
Well, current boat is on an inland lake. Theft completely off the lake would be almost impossible as the only yard capable of removing the boat from the lake is a owned by a personal friend of mine. He'd call. Theft of equipment off the boat is of some concern but minimized by having the first slip next to the main gangway through the marina. Boats on the far end of piers suffer from thefts from people already on a boat; they pull up to the ends of the piers and steal items off the boats. Yes, the hatch is locked, but it is easily broken and until I get my companion doors in, it takes so long to remove the 5 companion boards, I'm not sure anyone could steal something before another slip owner or marina management/security would walk by. Plus, my pier is behind an electronic security gate. On occassion, it gets left open and everybody and their brother walks onto the docks to look at the boats. I'm more concerned about equipment a powerboater could use. I keep the anchor locker locked but can leave a winch handle in plain view; that sort of thing. I'm not sure if anybody here has heard of such a thing, but some powerboaters don't like sailors and vice versa. In my area, it's the sailors that are MUCH more prejudiced; mainly because all the powerboaters are loud, beer-guzzling (not that beer-guzzling itself is such a bad thing), dangerous, non-nautical individuals that are not even aware of the existence of the Rules of the Road, much less any requirements. We've even had some boats go flying through the middle of a race at 35k+ just to wave at everybody. So, if a sailor insults a powerboater while on the water, that sailor will be missing an anchor or something the next day. So I keep my mouth shut and just report the incident to my good friend the Game Warden complete with registration number, vessel description, etc. Keeps my boat safe. Safe from weather? Well, except for tornadoes/water spouts, I'm not too worried. We get a lot of very severe thunderstorms/lightning strikes in the spring rain season, but the fire station up the hill and across the street from the marina entrance has a 210' communications tower with another 30' of lightning rod; I'm not worried about a lightning strike either. Eight 5/8" lines on an H31 is more than sufficient for a protected marina slip I think so not worried about the boat going adrift either. Vandalism? An electric fence around your boat might be a deterrent and prevent direct contact with your boat, but short of that, what can be done to keep a vandal (with directed intent) from performing some act of aggression on your boat? (Only thought there is to go to sea.)
Well, current boat is on an inland lake. Theft completely off the lake would be almost impossible as the only yard capable of removing the boat from the lake is a owned by a personal friend of mine. He'd call. Theft of equipment off the boat is of some concern but minimized by having the first slip next to the main gangway through the marina. Boats on the far end of piers suffer from thefts from people already on a boat; they pull up to the ends of the piers and steal items off the boats. Yes, the hatch is locked, but it is easily broken and until I get my companion doors in, it takes so long to remove the 5 companion boards, I'm not sure anyone could steal something before another slip owner or marina management/security would walk by. Plus, my pier is behind an electronic security gate. On occassion, it gets left open and everybody and their brother walks onto the docks to look at the boats. I'm more concerned about equipment a powerboater could use. I keep the anchor locker locked but can leave a winch handle in plain view; that sort of thing. I'm not sure if anybody here has heard of such a thing, but some powerboaters don't like sailors and vice versa. In my area, it's the sailors that are MUCH more prejudiced; mainly because all the powerboaters are loud, beer-guzzling (not that beer-guzzling itself is such a bad thing), dangerous, non-nautical individuals that are not even aware of the existence of the Rules of the Road, much less any requirements. We've even had some boats go flying through the middle of a race at 35k+ just to wave at everybody. So, if a sailor insults a powerboater while on the water, that sailor will be missing an anchor or something the next day. So I keep my mouth shut and just report the incident to my good friend the Game Warden complete with registration number, vessel description, etc. Keeps my boat safe. Safe from weather? Well, except for tornadoes/water spouts, I'm not too worried. We get a lot of very severe thunderstorms/lightning strikes in the spring rain season, but the fire station up the hill and across the street from the marina entrance has a 210' communications tower with another 30' of lightning rod; I'm not worried about a lightning strike either. Eight 5/8" lines on an H31 is more than sufficient for a protected marina slip I think so not worried about the boat going adrift either. Vandalism? An electric fence around your boat might be a deterrent and prevent direct contact with your boat, but short of that, what can be done to keep a vandal (with directed intent) from performing some act of aggression on your boat? (Only thought there is to go to sea.)
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Andy Falls
Only Time Will Tell
In the words of the pirate Jimmy Buffett, "Keys and locks are destined to be busted " (Only Time Will Tell). Any mooring or docked in any marina can be a victim. So make yourself usefull when you see stranger on the premises. You don't have to be rude or arrogant (that will invite green eyed envy revenge). Just be helpful and casually find out what the hey are they up to!
In the words of the pirate Jimmy Buffett, "Keys and locks are destined to be busted " (Only Time Will Tell). Any mooring or docked in any marina can be a victim. So make yourself usefull when you see stranger on the premises. You don't have to be rude or arrogant (that will invite green eyed envy revenge). Just be helpful and casually find out what the hey are they up to!
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Ken Palmer
Where there's people, there's crime.
I have been lucky so far (knock on fiberglass). Our marina is open to the public with no fence or locked gates. There is no way to keep the bad guys out, and the only security seems to be from your fellow boaters. There are officially no live-aboards, which means that off-peak hours can be tempting to somebody looking to break in to steal something, or worse, your boat. Winter on the hard has been difficult for some boaters here. Even though the lot is well lit, and patrolled periodically, break-ins have occured with damage done to cabin interiors and items taken if not stored at home during the winter. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
I have been lucky so far (knock on fiberglass). Our marina is open to the public with no fence or locked gates. There is no way to keep the bad guys out, and the only security seems to be from your fellow boaters. There are officially no live-aboards, which means that off-peak hours can be tempting to somebody looking to break in to steal something, or worse, your boat. Winter on the hard has been difficult for some boaters here. Even though the lot is well lit, and patrolled periodically, break-ins have occured with damage done to cabin interiors and items taken if not stored at home during the winter. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Stephen Ostrander
locks keep out honest people
The only time I had a problem was last winter when she was stored on the hard. Some kids were going around and breaking into boats and stealing CD players and booze. I had neither on board but I still got broken hasp and hatch boards and a cabin full of snow. Luckily I went to visit her during the winter and discovered it before any real damage was done. Good thing I always remove all gear from her during lay up.
The only time I had a problem was last winter when she was stored on the hard. Some kids were going around and breaking into boats and stealing CD players and booze. I had neither on board but I still got broken hasp and hatch boards and a cabin full of snow. Luckily I went to visit her during the winter and discovered it before any real damage was done. Good thing I always remove all gear from her during lay up.
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mark schaefer
oh no
it has been snowing all day..the past week it has been 10 to 20 degrees...i don't winterize the boat..hope that heater is working..the crime element is home snug and warm..i hope...its unlocked...etc. ....
it has been snowing all day..the past week it has been 10 to 20 degrees...i don't winterize the boat..hope that heater is working..the crime element is home snug and warm..i hope...its unlocked...etc. ....
If you don't lock um.......
One advantage of not locking your boat, is that they do need to break in. If they want in, they will get there regardless of the damage they need to do. Locking just keeps the *semi-honest* ones out.
One advantage of not locking your boat, is that they do need to break in. If they want in, they will get there regardless of the damage they need to do. Locking just keeps the *semi-honest* ones out.
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Jim Green
Paradise on water
I and my family have been living on boats for the last 13 years. We have never had a lock on the door. Even while on vacations for weeks at a time, and in three different Los Angeles Harbor marinas, we have never had anything stolen...and remember, we live aboard.(TV, VCR, This Computer, lots of stuff to steal). Makes me have faith in humanity. I did move one boat into a marina and had a power tool stolen. I quickly moved out!
I and my family have been living on boats for the last 13 years. We have never had a lock on the door. Even while on vacations for weeks at a time, and in three different Los Angeles Harbor marinas, we have never had anything stolen...and remember, we live aboard.(TV, VCR, This Computer, lots of stuff to steal). Makes me have faith in humanity. I did move one boat into a marina and had a power tool stolen. I quickly moved out!
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HOW Editorial
Final results
Final results of Quick Quiz ending 1/31/00: Is your boat "safe" at its slip/mooring/parking place? 75% Yes (442) 13% Safe from elements only (76) 7% No (46) 5% Safe from theft only (32)
Final results of Quick Quiz ending 1/31/00: Is your boat "safe" at its slip/mooring/parking place? 75% Yes (442) 13% Safe from elements only (76) 7% No (46) 5% Safe from theft only (32)
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