Sliding Hatch Lock Query

[ChockFullOnuts222]

Has anyone out there installed a lock of any kind other than the conventional pad lock for locking the sliding hatch/companionway hatch? Something that a set of bolt cutters isn't going to get through?

I'm thinking about working something up with a built-in lock cylinder; if someone else has beaten me to that punch, I would love to know how you did it.

The reason I ask is that it appears that my Mac 25 was the object of someone's curiosity within the last day or two. There were dirty footprints on the foredeck and on one of the benches in the cockpit...definitely not mine. And since I currently have the dock all to myself, I can't see any reason for uninvited persons to be boarding my boat. What makes me nervous is that the boat was ransacked while on the trailer in my marina last summer before I bought it (it was left unlocked), with the thieves stealing almost everything out of it (including the sails and boom). I'm not saying that the same guys are back, but I don't want to go out to the boat one day and find my padlock cut off and my sails and boom missing.

 

[Timo42]

Perko makes a locking latch that I used on the cockpit hatch, I am finishing up installing a second one in the companionway hatch, just need to fabricate a catch in the slider for it to lock into. I used a pair of barrel latches to secure the hatchboard to the companionway, you have to unlock the slider to reach them. I'll get some pics this weekend.

 

[justsomeguy]

In my philosophy, if folks want to get in, they'll get in. Even if they have to do damage beyond just bolt-cutting a padlock. Is there an insurer who'll cover your losses if this happens in the future?

 

[doehunter]

I never thought about it till now but you know the game cameras that deer hunters use might come in handy in identifying your trespassers.
You could conceal one on the dock close to your boat, and get pics or even video of anyone boarding your boat. Maybe even put one up the mast where they can't reach it?
on the high end ones I think they can transmit to satellites, and you can see what's going on from your computer.

 

[Sumner]

You might see if one of these....

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Hidden-Shackle-Lock-Keyed-Alike/dp/B001OC8IZ2

...might work and these...

http://www.amazon.com/Black-55170-R...H2B2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311798768&sr=8-1

...would be a little harder to use bolt cutters on,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Timo42]

Here is what I have so far, but I had a stroke of genius this morning, I am going to replace the bar with a pulley and a cable with a hook on the end, then put a padeye on the underside of the sliding hatch, between the barrel latches holding the hatch in place and the cable pulling the slider tight, it should be pretty secure.

Sorry about the cellphone pics, but you get the idea.

 

[Knuttle]

Here is what I have so far, but I had a stroke of genius this morning, I am going to replace the bar with a pulley and a cable with a hook on the end, then put a padeye on the underside of the sliding hatch, between the barrel latches holding the hatch in place and the cable pulling the slider tight, it should be pretty secure.

Sorry about the cellphone pics, but you get the idea.

I did something similar but placed the lock in the center of the lock bar. In this way the lock bar goes clear up to the top of the hatch, (In fact to lock it you have to lift slightly) On the other end of the lock bar is a block that when in lock position, rests against the inside surface of the hatch. The block prevents the lock bar from prying the locking cylinder through the hatch. With the lock on the end of the lock bar the locking cylinder can be twisted through the hatch.

Hope this is clear

 

[Timo42]

I did something similar but placed the lock in the center of the lock bar. In this way the lock bar goes clear up to the top of the hatch, (In fact to lock it you have to lift slightly) On the other end of the lock bar is a block that when in lock position, rests against the inside surface of the hatch. The block prevents the lock bar from prying the locking cylinder through the hatch. With the lock on the end of the lock bar the locking cylinder can be twisted through the hatch.

Hope this is clear

Not really, the bar in my pic isn't finished, I was going to mill in a hook at the endto fit into a catch in the slider. The bar as it is lifts the sliding hatch about 1/4 inch when it is in the lock position. But all this is probably moot, since I like my cable idea better. :dance:

Do you have a pic?

 

[Faris]

I don't know if this would work in your situation, but I've taken to using an old laptop alarm that I had from 10 years ago. It is just a thin cable which can easily be cut, but it deters casual opportunists. Also, if you cut the cable, it lets out a deafening alarm that sound nothing like a car alarm - more like a personal alarm. Great at marinas when cruising and we need to step into town for dinner. Not so great if the boat will be isolated, but then again, nothing will help you then except removing everything from the boat.

 

[rgranger]

This was not my idea but my boat uses a trailer hitch lock similar to the one shown.

The hatch simply has a hole cut it the trailing edge (the edge facing the cockpit). I pull the hatch all the way closed and slip this into the hole and lock it. The pin keeps the hatch from sliding open.

You can get these at Lowes and you can find a larger selection at Tractor Supply.

Now a bolt cutter would have a hard time cutting through these but I guess someone could just twist the trailer hitch lock until the fiberglass gave way... but thieves are usually not that smart anyway so if it looks tough to get into, they might leave your boat alone and look else ware.