Leaving outboard unattended

Crazy Dave Condon · Feb 21, 2012

Alot depends where you are going but the best thing is to lock it up.

tommays · Feb 21, 2012

I always went with the BF LOCK AND CHAIN like 1/2" so if they want they gotta bring a BIG tool

Down this way the value is so high now they will tow away a boat and chainsaw off the outboards if they want them bad enough

ghost · Feb 21, 2012

Another idea would be to paint the outboard motor cover. That makes the outboard less sellable on the used motor market so less desirable to steal in the first place. That is what a friend of mine did to his large outboard on the back of his speedboat left at his cottage. So far so good.

All U Get · Feb 21, 2012

Hi Scott,
I got one of these from Hamilton Marine. http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/lock-outboard-motor-115031/4,19230.html

All U Get

Steve Dion · Feb 21, 2012

I would get the best lock available.

http://www.motorlocusa.com/?gclid=CIT3xeOwr64CFQZchwod3RPxDQ

Benny17441 · Feb 21, 2012

The use of a lock tends to discourage thefts of opportunity so I would recommend you get one. A motion activated LED light may also discourage night prowlers. I would say camouflage would tend to be most effective. Using someone artistic skills make the engine look like a clunker not worth stealing. If you could make the camouflage removable then you would have the best of both worlds. Last, look around your mooring and if your boat is the best looking one in the field you are likely to be a target. Just try to blend in, get a lock and best of all, INSURANCE.

rpell1@msn.com · Feb 21, 2012

Having had one Yamaha outboard "go south"........I'm a proponent of making a thief work as hard as possible. If you have a solid mount, add as many lag or through bolts to the motor and mount as possilbe, use a stainless, vinyl coated, cable with integrated lock and for shi$% & giggles, use small screws wherever there's a hole. The more "little" annyances a thief has to get through, the better chance they will give up. Chains and padlocks are easily cut with a bolt cutter.

Also, the advice to "de-bueatify" the motor does make it less desireable. I painted mine flat white. It doesn't detract from the boat, but doesn't attract attention either.

Good Luck and Happy Sailing.

"

Benny17441 said:
The use of a lock tends to discourage thefts of opportunity so I would recommend you get one. A motion activated LED light may also discourage night prowlers. I would say camouflage would tend to be most effective. Using someone artistic skills make the engine look like a clunker not worth stealing. If you could make the camouflage removable then you would have the best of both worlds. Last, look around your mooring and if your boat is the best looking one in the field you are likely to be a target. Just try to blend in, get a lock and best of all, INSURANCE.

Tim R. · Feb 21, 2012

slr8873 said:
We are going to be on a mooring this year for the first time and I was wondering what people do with their dinghy outboards while moored? Is it safe to leave it in the stern pulpit rail with a lock on it? We are in the Portland Maine area.
Thanks
Scott

Where in Portland Scott? I would never leave a decent dinghy or motor at the east prom mooring field. Things get stolen there while out day sailing. I even had a mooring ball stolen while out for a weekend.

CYC is better but they had some thefts last summer. When I was there I locked my dinghy to the rack and locked my motor in a locker on shore.

Not sure about PYS but the lights of the city may deter problems.

Falmouth is probably the most secure but if yours is the only one and they want it bad enough, it will disappear.

Not many folks leave their dinghys and motors on their boats for extended periods in the Portland area. Just about every anchorage has shore side storage for tenders or you simply need your tender just to get to your boat(East prom)

Your best defense is to lock it and have a good insurance policy.

Squidd · Feb 21, 2012

5200...

Warren Milberg · Feb 21, 2012

If the motor is small enough, I'd put it in a cockpit locker or lay it on the cabin floor after you are done sailing.

Prime Time · Feb 21, 2012

Dis-incentive

Why not put some marines in the crows nest and if someone tries to steal the outboard or dinghy open fire? That might fix the problem! What a world we live in. Kind of ridiculous. The courts are just turnstiles.

finding41 · Feb 21, 2012

My outboard is painted white to match the rest of the boat. I do have a pad lock on it and plan to get one of the box type locks. I have used these before on another boat and there good but you need to put a bit more foam in it to stop it from rattling. My boat is in my driveway and my house has been broken into once. (Thanks drug cartels.) I have an alarm system and cameras now. Now I get to see them do it.