Hi guys,

Looking for some suggestions on how you keep you boat locked up when your not using it. Saturday night my wife heard a car reeving its engine & I heard what sounded like a trailer clanging around. By the time she got to the window to see what it was. A car took off up the street. We thought it was some kids across the street partying. On Monday I pull out my boat to see that the latch on the trailer was bent & broken off! > Luckily I had it chained up with a pad lock & cable & they didn't damage anything else. Its a crawdad jon boat on a small utility trailer.

I know it's a lot of trouble, but you can always remove a wheel and tire. If the dang thieves want it though they'll just drag it off anyway. Hate to hear things like this.

Well my locking up procedure is to put it in a locked garage, but I have had boats at times when I didn't have a garage space available so I have given this topic some thought.

This looks like one of the better locks for detering thieves or at least making it harder for them to find a way to drive off with your boat.

http://www.basspro.com/homepage.html?CMID=MH_HOME

Used with the addition of some kind of lock or cable to prevent the wheels from rolling would probably be enough to convince them to keep looking for easier prey.

I run a heavy chain through the wheel spokes and around the axle/leaf springs.  They may hook up but will probably abandon it rather than risk a cop stopping a vehicle pulling a boat & trailer with a smoking tire.

I run a heavy chain through the wheel spokes and around the axle/leaf springs. They may hook up but will probably abandon it rather than risk a cop stopping a vehicle pulling a boat & trailer with a smoking tire.

double that notion. I did that plus I also have a strap on the back of the trailer to the fence and a hitch lock. nothing will stop a determined thief. I only aim to slow him down long enough so my dog can wake me up. After that he will get to see some OC spray, followed by a bout of unconsciousness and a stint in jail.

Thieves suck. I am glad they did not get your boat.

I installed an alarm system with motion and tilt sensors on my boat.  As said above, it may not stop the theft, but it may deter the dirt-bag from driving down the street with the alarm screaming.

Thanks for the input guys! Its nothing really expensive. But, it my little piece of sanity. So, if they took it I would be REALLY tickED OFF! I found a trailer lock that goes write on the trailer coupler. Between that & the pad lock & cable, I hope it does the trick. Maybe I'll keep a Louisville slugger next to the back door to! >

Thanks for the input guys! Its nothing really expensive. But, it my little piece of sanity. So, if they took it I would be REALLY ticked OFF! I found a trailer lock that goes write on the trailer coupler. Between that & the pad lock & cable, I hope it does the trick. Maybe I'll keep a Louisville slugger next to the back door to! >

Get some OC spray too. Easier to hit a blind pinata with a bat.

;D LOL!!!

In my driveway my car is parked in front of my truck which is parked in front of my boat. My dog barks at ANY noise outside. She can also clear my 6' wall. She'd be going ballistic while going over the wall if someone was messing with the boat. I'll then perform a well armed mopping up operation.

I have a  coupler lock that keeps someone from being able to hitch up the trailer. I guess they can hacksaw it off, which would probably get the attention of the neighbors, or hook up the safety chains and drag it that way but I think it would be noticed by the police.

Chaining trailer it to cement pad with rebar reinforcement is the best option.  My friend that lives in Miami has his boat in his driveway with ridiculous cruise ship anchor chains securing his Contender and no takers yet, which in Miami is a miracle.

I have a front gate at our community that requires all boat trailers to stop and be checked out.  We also have a securtiy dvr that records every vehicle as it leaves.  It is lighted and records license plates.  If they run the gate we have the video of the tow vehicle. 

I have a hitch lock installed.  The thing that really worries me is kids breaking into my storage compartments.  I probably need to install Lock r bars on the front and back decks.....

I have been told that bars over deck lockers does not work. The scum bags hook the winch strap to the bars and crank them off.

I have heard that but not seen it happen.  I will hear that kind of racket in my driveway.