Spot Tracking services or alternatives?

[Jackdaw]

Considering what we spend on our boats why not have an ACR and SPOT device? The ACR is a onetime spend for a device dedicated to rescue.
A SPOT is then religated to a cheap "works most of the time" one way message device for when you are out of wifi/cell/SSB range.

Chris

Indeed. An EPIRB or PLB is like life insurance. You (or in this case your boat) has to die to win.

An InReach (and to a lesser degree a SPOT) is a communications device. Beyond tracking we use it daily when away from port to stay in touch. For us its a nice way to reach out and/or get help without going to the 'full nuclear' option..... pull that EPIRB and you better need the full resources of the USCG, 'cause thats whats going to come.

Its why we have both.

 

[woodster]

i just signed up for the boats us unlimited gold package just for emergencies and that way maybe i won't have to abandon ship like i would if the coasties had to come

 

[jackever]

Unless you have a special high-value boat, I cannot see the value of putting a satellite alarm on it. Just have good insurance. Most people here have more invested in their car than they do in their boat. How many here have sat alarms on the car? I bet ZERO. Sailboats simply just are not a big theft target. Beyond a few high-profile cases or stupid people doing stupid things, it just does not happen, and probably not in a way where a sat alarm would make any real difference in the outcome.

Many cars are recovered by their locating devices sat or Cell so it is not 0 as you bet. Any information in a theft situation is better than none. If one already has the device and maintains a subscription why not leave it on? What is your problem with that? In fact I would guess there may be insurance discounts for boats having tracking, if not, insurance companies should consider it.

 

[Jackdaw]

I

Many cars are recovered by their locating devices sat or Cell so it is not 0 as you bet. Any information in a theft situation is better than none. If one already has the device and maintains a subscription why not leave it on? What is your problem with that? In fact I would guess there may be insurance discounts for boats having tracking, if not, insurance companies should consider it.

I didn't say I had a problem with it. If you have a SPOT/InReach and want to leave it plugged into +12v and running when you are away from your boat, go right ahead. And it it helps with your piece of mind, all the better. Really.

What I DID say is that outright sailboat thefts are rare. RARE. Rare to the point that a dedicated system makes zero sense for 99% of the people. Have a rare and highly valuable boat that might be a target? Then maybe. 30 year old Hunter/Catalina/Beneteau? Nope. I called my agent; he's been in business for 30 years and has never had a boat hes insured stolen. The company does not offer discount for sat alarms.

Car lojack systems are designed to solve a different problem. Once we get an epidemic of people stealing sailboats and sailing them to chop-shops, the market might emerge.

 

[Ken Cross]

I have a friend who has a SPOT device that tracks his boat movement (while on a cruise, etc) and he can send a web link to family and friends who can track him. I noticed that SPOT has a special now through 31 Dec 2015 where there is a rebate that makes the device free (after mail in rebate) and the service is $50.00 per year. It sounds like a great deal? Has anyone else used SPOT or can anyone recommend a device that is any better than SPOT?
http://findmespot.com/FREE/lander.php?refer=FrontpageBanner

I just purchased a spot gen3 and tried to signup for service. It looks like the minimum plan I can get with the rebate is $199.98 annually. That seems a bit high to me. That's $149.99 for basic service and $40.99 for unlimited tracking (Required for the rebate.) That's not the impression I got just looking at their website.

Ken