Burglar alarm suggestions, opinions

R

rhodyboater

New Member
Feb 25, 2009
212
Rhode Island
Boat Info
340 Sundancer 2004
Engines
Twin 8.1 mercs
Lately, there have been a rash of break ins in my area...both in-water winter storage at my club and outdoor shrink wrapped storage in boat yards... really a lot more than ever before it seems.

My question is geared towards when the summer season starts, and is:
what are your opinions and/or experience with burglar alarms?

I only want to alarm the sliding cabin door, as I have portable electronics at the helm, but have a tv inside the cabin.
Also, I'm not interested in any type of motion detection as I just know there will be false alarms.
I'm thinking I just want a loud siren/horn to go off in the cabin if there is a break, NOT notify the police.
Should I even lock the door? I'm thinking with or without an alarm, a broken lock or jamb could be potentially more expensive than a stolen tv.
Another thought is an internet camera. We have wifi at the docks and I suppose I could wire a camera to a laptop inside the cabin and it would record and I could view it even on my iphone when I want. Those I know, can be programmed to only record when motion is detected.
Of course, I'd have to program the horn or siren to go off after maximum of 1-2 minutes, so as not to drive sleepover neighbors crazy if false alarms do occur.
In summary, I don't have a lot of expensive items to protect but I don't want to sit back and do nothing, as I feel it's only a matter of time before something happens.
 
How far away are you from the boat? Web cams & motion activated cams that are viewed from home are good for......"Look honey, I can see that guy in the hooded sweatshirt walking out the cabin door with our TV." Even recordables will offer little help in trying to identify the perp in the dark or dimly lit cabin. Even if a siren goes off @ 3am. Is anyone going to get there in time to catch him?

I agree that my cabin door & latch is more valuable than anything inside. What do you guys think about a faux system? You can get a tiny flashing red light, like on the battery charger. Mount it in the middle of a small sticker that reads "security". Maybe a little much work for a fake but hey, if it deters the hoodlems.......
 
Google boatnanny. I have one of these for about 3 years. Works great, it also gives you systems check on power, water, noise, you can also listen in via phone.

Mark
 
My dad designed pressure sensitive pads that went under his snap in carpet on his bayliner that was hooked up to an alarm on boat and also sent a signal to cell.he was an electronic engineer,now retired and boat sold but i think there are same type of systems out there,..FYI he bought a sea ray after selling bargeliner:thumbsup:
​
 
http://www.dewaltmobilelock.com/

I am testing Mobilelock by DeWalt currently on our boat. So far I am pretty impressed with what this unit can do. It is aimed at the construction market but I think it has some amazing uses on a boat, RV, etc. Per the mobilelock guys I have spoken with it sounds like these units are purchased by many police departments.

It has a bunch of sensors in a very small unit:

- Door Contact sensor - Senses when normally open closes or when normally closed opens.

- Vibration sensor - Senses varying degrees of vibration (user selectable 8 levels) from very sensitive to not as sensitive. It also has a false alarm filter (varying number of vibration over a given period) to prevent things like a thunder clap from setting the unit off.

- Tamper sensor - Senses when someone tries to pry the thing from it's mounting location.

Temperature Sesnor - User defined high and low temperature thresholds.

GPS with Cell Assist - You can locate the unit (and hopefully the stuff it is attached to) via it's GPS receiver, Cell signal, or combo of both. The location is plotted on Microsoft maps (same as Google earth type satellite view) with GPS coordinates.

Optional motion sensor - You can buy the thing with an optional motion sensor cradle for about another $100.

There are also other accessories such as a generic sensor adapter... hardwired power, etc.


Reasons why I am looking at this unit. The unit runs on a Li-Ion battery and only needs charging once a month. You can fully control the unit via the web or phone menu. You can arm/disarm, turn sensors on and off... get status (battery level, cell signal strength, temp, etc) initiate a locate which grabs the current GPS location and overlays on satellite imagery. The unit has a pretty loud alarm.... 85db I believe which can also be disabled if you want stealth mode. The unit will notify 3 contacts when any sensor or threshold (temperature) is tripped. It can notify you via a phone call, SMS text or email. The unit will also notify you of status... when you request status... or when it needs recharging.

The unit has 2 pretty strong magnets on the back that take 2 hands to remove... or you can mount with screws. Specs say it is rainproof.... I have not tested this yet :smt001

In my bench testing of the unit each sensor has always properly triggered an alarm. The notification via text and email has always occurred within 30 seconds of a sensor or threshold being triggered.. The battery has lasted for 29 days on the first charge.

I gotta tell you I am pretty impressed. The unit was $400 ($500 if you buy with the motion detector). This less than 1/3 the cost of the boat nanny (which was another unit I was looking at). The service is $20/month which includes unlimited notifications, status, etc.

In our marina we have had a couple of break in's over the past year and a half... in each case they did not bother the canvas and simply open the swim platform to cockpit mini door and crawled in. They then attempt to gain access to the cabin to steal whatever. I am thinking of attaching one of these units to the cockpit mini door. I will enable the vibration, tamper, and door contact sensor. The vibration sensor at it's highest sensitivity does not seem to be bothered by any boat movement do to a little wind, wake ripples, etc. It seems to need true vibration like trying to slide the cockpit mini door slide lever. I am thinking of placing a second unit in the cabin with the motion sensor attachment. I would enable the motion, tamper, and vibration sensor. Or I could go without the motion sensor and use a door contact sensor on the cabin door in addition to the tamper, and vibration sensors.

The web interface for this thing is pretty cool. It keeps a online history of every action and allows you to view the location of the unit, etc.

They have an online demo - http://www.mobilelockstore.com/live-account-demo

As I read over my post it sounds like a sale pitch... trust me it is not... I am just pretty excited about a product that uses commonly available tech and puts it into a useful and effective package. Sorry the the lengthy post.
 
$29.99 at Harbor Frieght:
23.gif

Weatherproof Security Camera with Night Vision


  • Automatically adjusts from day to night vision for round-the-clock security
  • Weatherproof construction?works in all climate conditions, including rain
  • Built-in microphone lets you perform other tasks while "keeping an ear out" for intruders
  • Closed circuit design plugs into any TV or a dedicated security monitor with RCA audio and video jacks. (TV or monitor sold separately.)
  • Easy "plug and go" installation, includes all mounting hardware
  • http://www.harborfreight.com/tabviewer/4392/23.gif
 
rcknecht said:
$29.99 at Harbor Frieght:
23.gif

Weatherproof Security Camera with Night Vision


  • Automatically adjusts from day to night vision for round-the-clock security
  • Weatherproof construction?works in all climate conditions, including rain
  • Built-in microphone lets you perform other tasks while "keeping an ear out" for intruders
  • Closed circuit design plugs into any TV or a dedicated security monitor with RCA audio and video jacks. (TV or monitor sold separately.)
  • Easy "plug and go" installation, includes all mounting hardware
  • http://www.harborfreight.com/tabviewer/4392/23.gif
Click to expand...


:lol: @ $30 I bet it works great.... now where are you going to get the guy to sit up 24x7 and watch the CC TV monitor :smt043 I am not sure how it would be taken in other states but the CHP would take issue with me running cable 23 miles down the highway from the marina to my home :lol:
 
Last edited:
Who said anything about monitoring it... You just want the thieves to pass you boat by... Its like a plastic owl that keeps the birds away...
 
Some of these replies work well for small
boats, others for large, some for well
lit areas, others for dark. All are welcome
and appreciated!
For me, for my 280da, I only have the
sliding cabin door I wish to alarm and
I think a loud siren will scare off the thief
and get the job done.
If I'm successful with that, I'm still unsure
whether to lock the door: thoughts on
that?
 
I should have explained better... in order for the bad guys to get onto our docks within the marina they have to bypass very visible night vision cameras throughout the marina, around the perimeter, and at the harbor entrance for those that wish to swim in. They also have to find a way around the electronic controlled gates surrounded by razorwire (not impossible). The guys who choose to continue onto the docks are not the type to care about being on camera.... unfortunately.

I am liking the idea of being notified... as the police and I can go greet the person who has chosen to enter my boat in person.
 
rhodyboater said:
Some of these replies work well for small
boats, others for large, some for well
lit areas, others for dark. All are welcome
and appreciated!
For me, for my 280da, I only have the
sliding cabin door I wish to alarm and
I think a loud siren will scare off the thief
and get the job done.
If I'm successful with that, I'm still unsure
whether to lock the door: thoughts on
that?
Click to expand...

We are searching for a solution on the same boat. The Mobilelock device will certainly guard your cabin.... but may be more device than you are looking for. When MM went out of business (where did all the cabin mater keys go?) I bought a Masterlock Python. It is what I would call a rope lock that you can cinch tightly around nearly anything. I secure this around the stainless handle on the cabin door and the one next to the cabin door attached to the boat. I believe the "rope" portion of the lock is 1/2" steel braid that is sealed in some type of rubber coating. It has worked very well and stands up to weekly hosing and washing the cockpit sees (no weird rust, etc). For $20 it secures the door much better than the fairly weak OEM lock.

We have had 3 instances of break in's at our marina since August 2008. The first 2 incidents the intruders did not hit our dock. The lastest incident the intruder decided to crawl into my boat cockpit via the small cockpit door.... they unwound the excess rope of the python lock but could not get it open and they simply exited the boat. For many that would be good enough but someone entering even the cockpit is not acceptable (I am admittedly picky). The intruder was quite rude and did not remove their shoes prior to crawling on our boat. They must also smoke as I found cigarette ash next to the mud from their shoes. This is where I hope the mobilelock can come in and fill a gap.

With the python lock on the cabin door I feel like the hatch in the cabin is the most vulnerable.... and I cannot think of a good way to be able to secure this better than factory in a removable way. This is again where I hope the mobilelock will fill the gap....

my 2 pennies...
 
I would go with the Wireless camera with a Mic. I will work on the part number and have it for you next week. I guy I work with just set one up for his house (teenage daughter) (Indoor but it also can do outside)
He can view the camera from his phone and he was showing me this earlier this week.
As mentioned, next week I will have the number/price/ and where to buy as he is on vacation today.
:smt024
 
I guess there are two schools of thought: one, scaring away potential thieves by a noise alarm, thereby averting damage and/or loss, or two, video taping the thief in an effort to get him arrested.
Obviously, the latter is more desirable ideally, but what if the cops don't recognize the thief? What good are the recordings? Like someone said, unless you live right down the street and are at home during the intrusion, the video is nothing but a memory of the thief stealing your goods. If I had a valuable art collection, for example, I'd certainly want a high tech video system, but I'm not sure if that will prove useful for a boat. I know I definitely want and will install SOMETHING!!
 
I would probably go with the noise alarm. The louder the better. The last thing any thief wants to do is to draw attention to themselves. It would be great if you could make it trigger some lights to. Maybe the cockpit lights? If the lights would flash or strobe it would be even better.
I'm torn on the lock or no lock thing. Having the hatch or door locked has the obvious advantages, but you don't want someone to destroy your cabin hatch or door to get at your stuff.
I suppose the best scenario would be to have the siren and lights go off well before the bad guy gets to the locked door. Pressure sensitive mat maybe?
 
I went through the same thing when we got our 280. It's next to our house. I bought one of these....

Doberman Security Tool Box Alarm
Model # SE-0205 Internet/Catalog # 100657690
Store SKU # 814686
$19.99/EA-Each

I wanted to be able to arm/disarm without setting it off....loud siren and mounted inside thesliding door to the cabin.
 
For me I want to detour the would be thief before he/she damages the cabin door. I am thinking like others and the replacement/repair of my cabin door exceeds the value of anything in my cabin.

Alarms bring attention and thieves don’t want to be noticed.

Has anyone tried anything in the broad selection of Home Security packages available? Searching on line I am finding many devices with wireless door sensors and motion sensors. I have not found (yet) but looking for a wireless Pressure Sensitive Mat. The Wired Pressure Sensitive Mat will work but wireless is easy.
 
For what it's worth, I have pretty much dismissed pressure sensitive mats because I am envisioning a situation where a well meaning neighbor may have to board my boat (in my absence) in order to throw a line to another boat in trouble, or something similar, and then be rewarded with an obnoxious alarm going off.
 
rhodyboater said:
For what it's worth, I have pretty much dismissed pressure sensitive mats because I am envisioning a situation where a well meaning neighbor may have to board my boat (in my absence) in order to throw a line to another boat in trouble, or something similar, and then be rewarded with an obnoxious alarm going off.
Click to expand...
I was considering the Pressure Sensitive Mat for just in front of a cabin door to bring attention to anyone trying to enter my cabin. So you may still want to consider as someone throwing a line will not be stepping in your cabin. I believe the alarms will cycle off and reset after a couple minutes as well.
 
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