[TakeFive]

...I do subscribe to the idea of making yours tougher to take than the next one, not necessarily theft-proof...

I think detaching a spark plug wire, as someone else mentioned, is about the most straightforward way to accomplish this. A thief would likely try to start the motor a couple times then give up and move to the next boat.

I'll keep that in mind if/when I upgrade from my current electric trolling motor.

 

[TakeFive]

...As for the spark plug wire, I wouldn't bother. It'll only stop drunks. My wife's car got stolen with the main spark plug wire unplugged.

I think there are different deterrents appropriate for different scenarios. I was thinking that removing the spark plug wire would be good enough for when you want to leave the dink at the tiki bar or restaurant for an hour or so. With lots of people around, anyone who takes your dink wants to look like it's his, and nonchalantly ride off with it without attracting attention. He definitely doesn't want to have to open the cowling to make adjustments, and if confronted with a balky engine would likely walk away and come back a few minutes later to try a different boat.

The "pros" who would come along at night with nobody around, and try to steal the boat out of a slip or while connected to your stern, are a different story, and would likely be more sophisticated. There may be no way to stop a truly determined thief from taking any car or boat.

 

[TakeFive]

...You could affix it to the inside of the motor's cowling and you'd have a tracker for boat and motor theft...

Has anyone actually tried this? I'd be concerned about ignition components creating some electrical interference. Just guessing, though.