Just one word of caution. If you install a device to lock yourselves inside the boat while sleeping for security, make sure it is something that will not accidentally close or lock when you are not present. Too many times I have dealt with customer boats where their inside safety locking device accidentally locked from the inside and even the owner couldn't get into his own boat when he boarded it. This might be a barrel bolt or something that latches down and with the movement of the boat it somehow slips into the locking position and then you have to start taking things apart to get inside.
Overnight security (rookie questions)
- Thread starter Rusty south
- Start date
You really made me laugh with that one. Thanks.
Fortunately I guess is that I'm a relatively light sleeper and I felt the boat move differently and ever so slightly in my sound sleep. And I have a very loud booming voice. When awakened from a sound sleep in the middle of the night I tend to shout profanities as in Where the F is my gun? Probably not very refined but sure did make them scramble.
I've heard others say an air horn is effective too.
Bad things happen when you least expect it. Just because you think your marina is "safe" doesn't mean it won't ever happen. I wouldn't want her locked in but a simple chain preventing to slider top to open would make me feel better. After all she works at a bar. You never know what kind of people will be there drinking....finding out she sleeps on the boat alone. Just saying....chit does happen. If she were my daugter. I would enroll her in a concealed weapons class so she can carry a small .38 revolver onboard. I bought my GF a sweet little .32 magnum. Packs as much punch as a standard .38 but easier to control.
We've got a "Morkie" named Mack. He's Yorkie and Maltese. Great little dog and excellent watchdog if someone's deathly afraid of anklebiters.
Probably the best defense there is and you get the fringe benefits of a big goofy first mate.
Hmm
Except maybe a recording of a snarling 75lb lab? And you don't have to feed it, walk it, or clean up after it.Probably the best defense there is and you get the fringe benefits of a big goofy first mate.
thanks to all that answered some great advice and some real funny ones. Very much appreciated and I will try not to crash into any of you as I figure this vessel out. Thanks again.
We've been in the same small marina for about 14 years with a progression of boats. Our slip is on the last finger of the last dock, so while quiet and private it's also out of sight. Neither we or any other boat has ever reported any theft or break-in and those of us who overnight are the minority so it's generally quiet. We've had three "incidents", the worst being malicious vandalism. Someone aboard a small boat or dinghy removed the cotter pin from the prop shaft of our outboard kicker. The nut unscrewed itself backing out, the prop's thrust kept it in place until we cleared the channel and when the sails took over the drag pulled the prop off and sent it to Davy Jone's locker, which made for an interesting return through a serpentine channel. The second was a fisherperson deciding to use the cockpit as a comfortable fishing dock, but left all the attendant dead bait strewn about. The last was an act of nature. A raccoon, having gorged on either wild cherries or hackberries became intestinally challenged and was looking for a corner to relieve itself. Last finger-last dock=last corner. The cockpit became the center of projectile crapping, wall-to-wall. That required a trip to the fuel dock and a pressure washer.
I use a shower curtain rod( 1" diam) that keeps the hatch cover extended over the companion entry boards and will not allow the hatch cover to be slid open.
Extra security is remember most of us have a flare gun on board if you need to get some ones attention just tell them what it does.
I bought a solar motion light at Home Depot for $50 that I set up under my dodger. Works great. Easy to stow away/set up. The 4" solar panel is connected by about 10' small wire, so you can mount it away from the light. I guess you could mount the light up higher too, on the mast, etc; as long as your neighbors dont mind the lite going on/off.