See full version: Boat Security; How to Prevent Your Boat From Being Stolen
Whatever you do, do not store your keys on the boat. You might think you have the perfect hiding spot, but believe me, the thief will find them. Don’t even risk hiding the keys on board. Take the keys with you and keep them in a safe place at home. more
Some boats that get stolen have the Water Identification Number (WIN) changed and fake paperwork created. These boats get sold to unsuspecting (or sometimes suspecting) new owners. Depending on the type of boat and size, the stolen boats with new identification even end up in other countries.
If you owe money on your boat, through a financial institution such as a bank, then they will require you have insurance coverage on the whole value of the boat. A marina could also require that you have insurance to dock your boat with them. [links]
I watched a video on Youtube talking about the round puck style locks, and the guy in the video had it opened with a lockpicking tool within 30 seconds.
Or one of these. I've used these in the past and I think it would slow down a wood be thief enough. A few of these would be a real pain in the ***. [links]
I use a boot lock type deal that locks to the rim so lug nuts/tire cannot be removed. The boot makes it very difficult to spin the tire, if it's possible at all. Very thick steel construction. I also have a lock that surrounds the coupler.
Re: Securing boat in my driveway
Re: Securing boat in my driveway more
Re: Securing boat in my driveway
Re: Securing boat in my driveway here
The mobility—and value—of boats makes them a tempting target, says Charles Fort, BoatU.S. Magazine’s associate editor. This is especially true when boats are on a trailer, he warns; that’s how most are stolen.
Pop off one or more tires, says Fort. It’s more work, but good luck to the thief who tries to pull a tireless trailer. Another option is having a removable tongue or hitch assembly installed (and then, of course, removing the tongue). “If thieves can’t hook it up,” says Fort, “they can’t take it.”
The answer for 2019 was 4,240, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). What did thieves go after? Runabouts, utilities and cruisers made up about a quarter of the total, while personal watercraft accounted for almost another quarter. And once gone, most were gone for good; only 41 percent of these stolen boats were recovered, says the NICB. here
Get even more peace of mind by protecting your ride with boat insurance coverage from GEICO. more
Want to guess how many boats and other watercraft are stolen in a year? [links]
Keep the trailer as far from the road as possible. If that’s only the driveway, then point the hitch away from the street. [links]
The answer for 2019 was 4,240, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). What did thieves go after? Runabouts, utilities and cruisers made up about a quarter of the total, while personal watercraft accounted for almost another quarter. And once gone, most were gone for good; only 41 percent of these stolen boats were recovered, says the NICB. more
If your boat is recovered, you’ll need to prove that it’s yours. Make copies of any documents, receipts and invoices showing that you were the buyer.
Thieves are one step ahead of owners who just remove the coupler; some carry easily attachable coupler devices, making for a quick getaway. Locking the hitch may not be sufficient protection, either. Instead, chain your trailer to something sturdy, like a tree. here