Theft Ponderings
I just got a shiny new Yamaha 8 hp Outboard for my inflatable. Prior to now, I had a raggedy 1978 Honda that was utterly unreliable. There was no problem with keeping it onboard. It appears that outboards are the most stolen items on boats nowadays Does anyone out there have good ideas for keeping it onboard?
Bob Morrison
E-34 Terra Nov
Hi Bob, I'm sure that you're aware that there is actually NO way to Completely prevent theft by a motivated and determined crook...
Several years ago there was a rash of thefts from marinas in our area, including our little YC moorage. Sheriff warned us that the thieves were likely arriving in the dark, in a smaller boat with an electric trolling motor and equipped with large "bolt cutters".
At that time they were evidently "stealing to order" Honda outboards and some similar ones to sell to fishermen who like bargains that were warm to the touch. Just an assumption... but one based on years of law enforcement experience.
After two Honda's were taken from our moorage in a short period of time, one owner painted zebra stripes on his whole engine!
(It was never stolen, either.)
Some points I (dimly) recall from the presentation -- You need to look at the
entire attachment method for your engine.
A lock or small cable through the little holes in the turn-lever castings will not suffice, because any little casting will be instantly broken.
The somewhat-better type of "lock" incorporating a metal U-channel that covers both handles is still rather vulnerable. Plus, they often conflict with lifting brackets.
Some sort of beefy cable or hardened chain that goes clear around the lower leg, tightly, is quite a bit better. This may need some diagraming and testing so it will allow use of the engine with minimal futzing.
Used to be, only heavier larger-hp engines were bolted solidly to transom or other mountings, and thus a lot harder to steal, but perhaps some of that method would help an 8 or10 hp OB.
The Yamaha 25's on our two work boats are bolted in place, and the club burgee and initials are painted on both sides of the engines as well. The boats are chained up with hardened chains when parked, also. No problem so far.....
It's a quandary for sure. Thieves have been around since ancient times...
And I feel that your best efforts will always be to make your possessions visibly Very Difficult to steal, and the crooks will move on to easier targets.
(Big Sigh ! )
Regards,
Loren