Outboard Security

[ulpilotrmh]

Realizing that the best way to secure an outboard from being stolen is to remove it from the boat when not in use, is there an outboard lock device that will prevent the motor from being stolen?

[sailingdog]

Yes, there are a bunch of different outboard motor locking devices. It depends on the size and make of the outboard in question. For some ideas of what's available... look here.

[camaraderie]

Ulpilot... many outboards have holes in the turning handles that turn the screws which secure to motor on your transom. If you just align these handles correctly, you can slip a lock through those holes preventing anyone from removing it from your transom.

[Idiens]

It might be idea to re-inforce your transome with as SS plate. We lost 7 outboards at the yacht club one night. The thieves had heavy metal, they cut out an entire fence section and on several of the boats, simply cut the transom around the locked outboard.

[Fstbttms]

I use this on the outboard on my inflatable. The lock seized up once and I couldn't open it. It took me about 30 seconds to hacksaw thru the lock hasp, even while it was in the locked position. It's better than nothing, but not by much!

[Jotun]

Another good option is the standard U-shaped bike lock made by Master. Slip the U-bolt through the holes in the clamp handles and then lock it. I have used such a lock on the Merc outboard on my trailer sailer for a couple of years and it has worked great. Plus, you might already have a bike lock sitting around, as I did.

[TrueBlue]

If a thief wants your outboard motor bad enough, he will find a way, regardless of the locking device. Our marina has excellent security, gated, motion lights and 24/7 guards. But, I do lock it to minimize potential theft when we leave it at a dinghy dock or shore while anchored in distant ports.

To prevent accidental overboard loss of the outboard while running, I use an 18" length of heavy gauge stainless cable, with an eye clinched at each end. One end is permanently secured to a pad eye on the inflatable's cast aluminum transom plate, and the other clipped to the outboard by a stainless carabineer.

Whenever I feel the need to lock it, I thread a stainless padlock through the carabineer's fixed eye and the transom pad eye. This keeps honest crooks honest.

[sailingdog]

Just remember, any lock or security device is a deterrent to the casual thief... you don't generally have to make it theft-proof...just more difficult than the one a few boats down.

If the guy is really intent on stealing your particular outboard—there isn't a thing in the world you can do short of taking the thing off the boat and home with you.

[ulpilotrmh]

for the responses. I'll just go with a pad lock whenever I feel like leaving the motor on the boat.