[Rhodes22-list] Season Ending Theft

[Rob Lowe]

Well, looks like our sailing season got cut short this year.  Had not been on the boat in a month and took half a day Friday to enjoy the weather.  A couple of friends, coolers of beer and subs, and a beautiful day.  A quick inspection of the boat showed no apparent hurricane damage, so let's go.  Turned to hook up the gas line to the motor and said, "where the hell is my @#$ing motor?".  Gone.  Along with the gas line and tank.  Damn.

Filed a report with the head ranger (our marina is in a state park, so they are the "police"), and he told me ours was the fourth or fifth to disappear in the last month.  Seems someone is showing up during the night, by water, and grabbing a motor and heading off.  Mostly low HP motors, ours was an 8 which sounds like the biggest one so far.  The rangers have taken to watching the water with night vision goggles, but they haven't seen anything yet and can't watch all night.

What really aggravates me is I could have prevented this had I bought a lock (I know, I know).  I'd picked up padlocks at the hardware store but wasn't sure they would fit, so I put them back.  And you figure that most boaters respect other boaters, but this sounds like some jerk who is from another part of the lake.  So any of you without locks, BUY THEM.

With only a month left before the boats come out of the water and no money to buy another motor this year, looks like we're done for the season.  But, thinking ahead for next year, anyone got a motor they want to sell?  Should I buy a 2 stroke or 4 stroke? (sorry, had to fan the flames, just kidding here folks).  Is a 5 HP sufficient for lake sailing, and it so, has anyone know anything about the new Briggs and Stratton 5 HP motor?  I don't think they come in a long shaft version, so I doubt they would work for a Rhodes.  But at $700, I can't help to be curious.

Rob Lowe
S/V Getaway