[Rhodes22-list] Season Ending Theft

[Roger Pihlaja]

Rob,

Sorry to hear about the theft of your motor.  We use  Fulton M/N OML 0127
outboard motor locks on both of our Honda outboards.  This lock completely
covers the mounting handles in a HD steel case & it has a HD barrel key lock
mechanism which is completely enclosed inside the steel shell.  We've never
had a problem.  But, then again we don't live in a high crime neighborhood.
I've always been much more worried that someone would steal the gear
underneath the open seat in the cockpit.  But, again, we've never had a
problem.  I hope the park rangers catch your perp.  By any chance, could you
boat owners that use the marina lobby with the park for some security
lighting?

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Lowe" <rlowe at vt.edu>
To: "Rhodes List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 2:56 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Season Ending Theft


> 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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