[Rhodes22-list] Season Ending Theft

[Steve Alm]

Rob,

What a drag, man, I'm very sorry!  I've used three different ways to lock up
the motor.  One is putting a padlock through the eyes on the transom crank
handles, another is with a piece of channel that slides over the crank
handles and has a locking mechanism.  But with both those methods, someone
could still dismantle the motor lift a be off with the whole kit 'n
caboodle.  IMO the best way is to use a steel lanyard securing the motor to
the stern rail.  That's also a good safety device in case the motor lift
fails.  People always say that if a thief really wants your stuff, he'll
find a way to get it, so nothing is 100% theft proof.  And who wants to turn
their boat into Fort Knox anyway?  In general, I think boats are pretty
vulnerable, and frankly, I'm surprised we don't see more theft.  Our boat
was boarded one night by some would-be thieves, but thankfully, I was in the
middle of about four projects on the boat and the cabin was my temporary
storage closet for a mountain of crap--so much that you couldn't even step
into the cabin.  And the motor was locked, so they left.  8-)

Actually I worry more when the boat is on the trailer in the yard.  It could
easily be stripped of all the little things like turnbuckles and other deck
hardware, the anchor, dock lines, gas tanks, fenders, etc. Once, someone cut
off the hook of my trailer winch.  Not expensive, but it took a couple hours
to go get a new one and reinstall.

Maybe the rangers at your marina should consider getting a nice big dog.

Slim

On 9/27/04 1:56 PM, "Rob Lowe" <rlowe at vt.edu> wrote:

> 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
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