The saying goes, “locks keep honest people honest.” Meaning of course, that anybody who wants to bypass a lock will do so. As I look at our new hatch boards, the next order of business is to install the locking mechanism and I am considering simply not doing so. That is, I may leave the hatch boards unlockable. I realize that there are many many ways to get below, the simplest of which is clipping the wee padlock on the main hatch. What do folks think about leaving their boats unlocked? We are on a mooring, which provides more security than being in a slip.
We are fortunate enough to live in an area where breaking into boats is rare. Beyond rare… my “lock” is the rope tails placed over the companionway top. So some nefarious individual would have to remove the ropes before entering the cabin. So far, so good and one less lock and key for me.
RonB.
I on;y lock my boat when I am going home.
I recommend keeping boats near fancier, more expensive ones (or, as I prefer to call them, "decoys’).
Seriously, it kinda depends on the neighborhood. Boat thieves often approach by dinghy, so moorings aren’t particularly safer than slips. IMHO.
Bob
Serenity has never had a lock. I’m currently on a US Navy base, and in a slip right in front of the marina office, with at least two nosy livaboards on the same dock that look out for other boats.
I’ve considered mounting a lock, and have purchased two, but my hatch board is literally a piece of lexan (or some other clear plastic) without the wood trim at the top. I’m not entirely sure how I would mount a lock with my current layout.
Brian N
SV Serenity
Nonsuch Nereus #003
Pax River MD
When I charter I lock my dinghy at the dingy dock just so I’m sure I’m taking the right dinghy when I go to leave. Those things all look alike. I leave my boat unlocked. I never have to worry about forgetting the key or combination, if my dock neighbor hears an alarm they can check it out, and if crew arrives before me they can settle in without me rushing.
If someone clears out your unlocked boat or steals it, do not expect your carrier to cover the loss. They will jump on the failure to lock. Of course, very easy to break in with bolt cutters, hacksaw or hammer, but I suspect they will not care. Talk to your agent.
That said, I don’t lock my boat when it is hauled out. A busted companionway is costlier than the contents, both of which would be below the deductible. Highly doubtful anyone could steal the whole boat.
I would be a little concerned on a mooring that the hatch might slide back open in a blow. I put my combo lock on and latch it but don’t move the tumblers so it opens just by pulling.
Dick Barthel
Gipsy Girl NS22
Shennecossett Yacht Club
Groton, CT
Dingy and motors are what are at risk, there’s little is boat worth stealing. Our local police have told me that even home robberies are rare these days as TV are too big and are worth little, no one has booze or vast collections of jewelry…
When we leave the boat we take all the electronics, life vests and such. The dinghy motor comes home and the dinghy hoisted on board
There’s a lock but easy to get past…I forgot my keys too often LOL
True. I’ve lived in marinas for 14 years of my life and dinghies are definitely the main targets.
A neighbor once heard a noise and looked out his window at around 2AM. He saw a guy in a dinghy pulling a line of other dinghies behind him. And still looking for more. The neighbor - a big, strong guy, took out after him in his underwear. The thief had tied up his boat at that point and so tried to run away, but was too slow. He had a knife for cutting the dinghies loose and tried to defend himself, but he lost the knife to the much larger and enraged neighbor, lost his nerve and fled. Once he was out of the marina modesty took over and the neighbor let him go. We hope he returned to a more productive life, but he clearly knew how to steal dinghies - kind of a niche specialty - so he probably did not. He never returned to our marina.
One take home from this: it’s worth putting up with some annoyances from those danged live-aboards. They are often better than security guards because they have skin in the game.
PS - I do lock my boat when away. There are 12 charter boats on my dock. They are the best neighbors to have, but sometimes their passengers get curious. They won’t break in, but I do have a few things they might walk off with if opportunity presents itself.
We have raccoons at our marina who are very good at finding a way to get into a boat. A small lock on the hatch usually stops them from getting into the cabin. It is a sad sight to see a fellow boater on the dock trying to wash the results of a raccoon visit off their cushions.