[dameware]

Jon, For keeping the dinghy safe from thieves, here’s what I did; bought about 15’ of that white plastic coated cable and had a small loop swage fitted at each end, and use a big bronze lock to secure it to the dock or the boat when not in use. At the dock I threw a small anchor toward deep water and used its rode to keep the dinghy a few feet off the dock. If you have an inflatable dink this removes the possibility of a puncture, and someone might think twice about boarding the dink if it’s several feet off the dock.

Engine on the dinghy; bolt it to the transom with big stainless bolts and grind the nuts round. Stainless carriage bolts would work well, if you can find them. This means you will need to travel with spare bolts and nuts, and a grinder as well, but you shouldn’t lose the motor.

Keeping the sailboat safe while you are on shore; a simple switch which closes when your hatch opens, connected to a claxon horn mounted near the lowest spreader should get the attention of any other boaters in the area that something’s wrong on your boat. You would need to hide another switch (in the circuit) in the cockpit area, maybe in a lazarrette, to activate the circuit. You could also use the claxon horn and a high bilge water switch to warn against high water in the bilge. A flood light could be wired into the circuit as added security at night.

A big sign mounted inside saying something about no tolerance for drugs aboard will help if the coast guard boards you and you have temporary crew onboard.

St. Thomas and St Croix are 2 places where you might need a bit more vigilance. Hopefully things have changed for the better there.


Beyond that common sense will see you through just fine...