Vacation and Boat/Trailer Security

[Ronnie]

I’m late on this but think I have some value to add to this thread.

In 2008 I had my truck/tow vehicle, boat, trailer, and everything in them/on them were stolen. Insurance covered but I was forced to learn a lot before and after they did. As a result went all in on security items, even a subscription to mobile drone. Here are some pics of the things I bought or do to make my rig less desirable to would be thieves.

Now that I’m older (wiser?) I only use and do what I need to depending on the situation. If I’m going to be away from my tow vehicle and trailer for a few days I use everything I’ve got to secure them. I even put beads of weld on the ends of the bolts that are used to mount the winch and boat buddies/buckles (not pictured). At the same time when I get to the guest dock, I lock the boat down before I hit the hotel and usually visit it before bed. This includes the anchor locker, swim deck / clean out plug cover, ski locker, head and helm (not pictured) We’ve gotten into people watching while drinking wine on the boat at the dock. The other extreme being when the boat is sitting on the side of my house, I don’t lock anything down.

Insurance: Let me tell you about that. I had boat U.S. at the time And was paying about $300 per year for it. The filing of the police report and claim starts the clock. My auto was covered by aaa, if the vehicle was not recovered within four weeks they were going to declare it a total loss and pay me for it. The vehicle was found in three weeks but the cost to repair it had aaa declare it a total loss and paid me the market value plus the sales tax on the same.

The boat and trailer: Boat us follows a six week Unrecovered/pay out policy. I was paid out under a stated value policy (I.e., the values I stated (purchase price) when I bought the policy plus sales tax on the same). They maxed my payment out on the personal items (vests, tubes, boards, etc) at $1,500 the policy limit and had me send in as many receipts and pics of the items as I could. So yes insurance covered but I had to be patient which was tough because it was the beginning of the Summer and I was boatless. If given the choice of prevent theft v. Making a claim on one, I’m going for the former every time. Now I purchase angler / fisherman’s coverage to cover the upgrades to the boat. I could not increase the coverage on the personal items. Now I pay around $700 per year for insurance but I had a fe other claims since so the cost is not a surprise at all. I’m glad boat us is still willing to insure me.

Things to consider. If some one steals your clean out plugs you effectively have an awesome and expensive raft. If something happens to your trailer or tow vehicle while you are boating you are in for a totally different day than you expected. Trailers are expensive and the cheap ones even more so after updgrades and repairs.

 

[Ratket]

As you stated, pull the pin for the fold away, Lock the hitch with the ball insert lock, and maybe chain up one of the tires and chain the swing young back to the trailer, And defiantly lock the spare. If they steal it, they would of stole it no matter what you did. Just take picture at the end of the night with it all locked up. If they want it bad enough they are taking it. Once assessed that there is multiple anti theft devices, they are either walking away, or they are going for it.

 

[BigAbe75]

I don’t hear much about boats bring stolen..is that common?

I believe @Ronnie had his truck and boat stolen, maybe?? It’s been a long time ago I read that. I haven’t heard about many others here.

Edit: ha, that’s what I get for not reading the whole thread before responding. Ronnie already chimed in with his story.

 

[I_squared_r]

That's why I said to disconnect your boat from the truck. If it's connected, it's easy for the thief to steal the entire package.

If you lock the swinging trailer tongue then they would have to cut that, then find a way to get around your truck because you blocked the boat in.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Update on my security measures this past trip/vacation.

I used the wheel chock/lock, two padlocks, round in Pin holes. Wrapped a chain around the folded tongue, Hardened and thick. Put a bike lock through the spare tire. Threw a spot GPS in the storage compartment. Took all of about 5 mins to get it all on or get it off. Now it is part of the routine.

Met someone who was talking to me about the things I was doing and he indicated that he had a Bayliner stolen a couple years ago from a parking lot. He mentioned that what he was told by the Police is that people steal them to use them in lakes, usually with no public access out in the country so they are not easily found. He has since been locking up his new boat without any issues.

 

[mark_m]

Update on my security measures this past trip/vacation.

I used the wheel chock/lock, two padlocks, round in Pin holes. Wrapped a chain around the folded tongue, Hardened and thick. Put a bike lock through the spare tire. Threw a spot GPS in the storage compartment. Took all of about 5 mins to get it all on or get it off. Now it is part of the routine.

Met someone who was talking to me about the things I was doing and he indicated that he had a Bayliner stolen a couple years ago from a parking lot. He mentioned that what he was told by the Police is that people steal them to use them in lakes, usually with no public access out in the country so they are not easily found. He has since been locking up his new boat without any issues.

Hopefully the Bayliner owner upgraded after his boat was stolen!

 

[Bluewater272]

I have a Trackimo installed on my boat, hardwired to the battery. Its a trivial annual fee, and works quite well - emails/texts whenever it leaves its home geofence. I initially got it because I was concerned both for theft from a wetslip, as well as if it ever broke free in a storm (I was paranoid first time I left it in the water).

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Just strap a 55 gallon drum onto the bunks and stencil "COVID-19 waste" on the side.

 

[props2you]

Hopefully the Bayliner owner upgraded after his boat was stolen!

Right?!?! Must have been desperate...

Only thing I could see that maybe would have been added to @HangOutdoors security set up would be an armed guard?!?!

 

[Canuckjetboater]

We will be heading out to on vacation for 5 days next week for the Holiday near Lake Michigan. We will be staying in a condo complex which has public parking. We planned the trip before we even had the thought of buying the boat. Anyhow, I will need to drop the boat in the parking lot or in the overflow parking that I called them and they said they have. I know that nothing is 100% safe and I have great insurance which covers me for everything up over and above what it would cost me to get a new boat and replace the gear and mods.

I plan on taking out the Pin from the trailer tongue so it swivels back, I have locking pin in the actual part that the ball goes in. I will remove the handle crank from the XO Jack stand I put on.

I was also thinking about getting a couple of those wheel boots that lock on so that that the trailer can't be moved without cutting them off. I read a bunch of reviews and can't figure out which ones to buy. I am looking for anyone who has used them and what brand/model they would recommend?

Also any other suggestions would be welcomed. Figure I need to get stuff ordered asap to make it. I procrastinated too long. Just want to make it look as unattractive as possible, understanding that nothing is 100% safe.

@HangOutdoors .....,you have received lots of great advice. I have never had theft of items on my trailered boats. I - use a master HD lock that fits into trailer receiver - remove trailer swing tongue pin and put a HD master lock in each hole - master HD cable locks through each wheel around axle on each side - lock boat eye to chain on front post - run a small cable I made from coated aircraft wire with a crimped loop at each end that runs through the ratchet mechanism of the Yamaha trailering cover down under the trailer frame and lock it. BTW I had the Admiral sew loop of black webbing onto the Yamaha OEM cockpit and bow covers. I run a small cable through the webbing and around the windshield post. BTW ll - When we stay at resorts we are usually only allowed to use one parking space in the main parking and are asked to put the boat in the "overflow" parking lot...... a long time ago we were staying at a Marriott I asked the front desk clerk (who later got a tip lol) can I leave my boat/trailer in the main parking space and put my SUV in the overflow parking as the trailer has a swing back tongue and takes no more room than my SUV. Front desk clerk said "Why not?"..... never looked back we have done that ever since - never been turned down once. At one place went to the bar and ordered a beer. I went to pay and was told it was free. I said pardon me? Two couples sitting at another table waved to me. They each had new PWCs, had overheard my conversation with the front desk clerk and had done the same - wanted to buy me a beer. As one guy said "Thanks buddy, one beer - cheap price for a good night's sleep". I said maybe not so cheap as I told the server you were paying for my beers all night!