lock engine hatches?

Black Valkyrie

Black Valkyrie

Active Member
Jul 19, 2014
688
Canada
Boat Info
1993 Sundancer 270 DA
Engines
Twin 4.3
Any ideas? Have 3 floor hatches that all lift up for access. Any ideas on how to lock them?
 
I’d consider a time where an acute need to gain access may exist in the presence of locked hatches.
 
Screenshot_20210619-174513_Chrome.jpg
 
That helps on one end. I'd need to put pins on the other end of the hatch to lock it in place
 
Have been pouring through catalogues ... trying to find a stainless pin or solid rod about half inch by say 6 inches long so I could put 2 pins on the stern end of the hatch and a locking t handle on the other end... I can visualize the pin but can't seem to find it in a catalogue... anyone understand what I am describing and can turn it into a part name? Could almost saw a tie down cleat in half.
 
Hey bud. You are having a natural reaction to being broken into. I had my house broken into and a BMW stolen with the keys from the kitchen counter. While I was home upstairs sleeping. I was a bit security psycho for months. Upgraded our locks everywhere and bought a 10 camera system intending to make the house Fort Knox. I put a baseball bat under the bed and dreamt of bashing heads if anyone ever came in my house again.

those irrational reactions passed after a while and common sense settled back in. I never actually installed the camera system. I started but it was a lot of work to put all the cameras under eaves and run wiring through walls. Time passed and I realized I was being a bit over reactive.

It’s your fight or flight instinct. give it some time and let the natural instincts to defend your turf pass.
 
Black Valkyrie said:
Have been pouring through catalogues ... trying to find a stainless pin or solid rod about half inch by say 6 inches long so I could put 2 pins on the stern end of the hatch and a locking t handle on the other end... I can visualize the pin but can't seem to find it in a catalogue... anyone understand what I am describing and can turn it into a part name? Could almost saw a tie down cleat in half.
Click to expand...
Google “z bracket”. A million sizes and shapes.
 
Those locking slam latches shown above could be installed at both ends of the hatch.

You know the area you are in better than any of us so certainly do what makes you feel comfortable. But in my opinion, I'd agree with the sentiments above that it's likely not necessary. But again... your boat your call.

The ones you linked to... those don't look like a good idea since they would be a toe-stubbing, tripping hazard. You can buy things that will do what you want - "hasps" - but you're right back to it being a tripping hazard. Also, as mentioned above, you don't want them locked while you are on the boat so you'll have to remember to make unlocking them part of your routine when you get to the boat.
 
I gotta go with @Creekwood; been there, done that. We were not home but the mess was more traumatic then the dollar amount they took. Happened almost 25 years ago in South Florida, haven't had an issue since.

@Black Valkyrie
Consider yourself "pre-disastered" the odds of getting hit twice are truly astronomical.

Criminals are not the Hollywood movie professional thieves. They are mostly dumb low life cowards that go after targets of opportunity.

A couple of obvious Wi-Fi cameras on the dock will do more than anything to deter. And a good obviously solid cabin lock (we know how cheap the OEM ones are) will make them move on. Doubt they are interested in anything in the engine room, what can they pawn a bile pump for?
 
Thx for the input but locking up the boat isn't an overreaction... it's overdue and we should have done it years ago really.
 
What are they going to steel from your engine room.
 
I dont ever lock my truck for this very reason. Take my change from the cupholder and whatever else you want, i keep nothing of real value in there anyways, Just dont smash my window out. Locking it up tighter just ends up in more
damage. If they want in, they are getting in.
 
Golfman25 said:
What are they going to steel from your engine room.
Click to expand...
Reasons to lock the ER:
1 Batteries, easy to remove and expensive to replace and every one needs a battery
2 Prevent senseless vandalism or attempted hot wiring. A friend's 44DB was boarded by homeless drugies a while back, The salon door was locked so the buggers decided to try and hot wire the Cummins QSC 500s by removing the plugs on the harnesses, disassembling the plugs and jumping random pins, they untied the boat and let go down the slough with the wind and tide. Boat was recovered and since I had just replaced the same harness on my engines I was tasked with reassembling the harness, it took two hours to put humpty dumpty back together they had it so F'd up! The ER hatch in the cockpit and the hatch to the bridge are now secured with keyed locks.
I modified a steering wheel Club style locking bar to use on the sliding glass door on the 44. Made two more for buddies with a 420 and a 400. Its enough to possibly make a would be thief go to an easier target as the alternative would be to just smash the glass which would make a lot of noise.
My 506 has a Plexi-glass sliding hatch style door into the salon with a cheap OEM latch so breaking in would be child's play so my only real option for security is a Ring camera with two way communication. I am in a very secure marina so I have yet to install one.
 
Theft of the boat, theft of components, metal theft, vandalism... zero reason not to secure it. The hatches need to be unlocked before heading out to get to the battery switches so hardly an issue unlocking a handle and then locking it when you return to port,shut off your batteries and leave.. hard to believe anyone questions this... people lock their houses and vehicles. You can't just walk up and open the hood of any random car (unless it is a Jeep TJ or earlier lol and yes they make a lock retrofit for that too).

Most crimes are crimes of opportunity - at least where we are. Yes a determined thief can circumvent any lock. Who even needs a lock or cares - cut the ropes and tow your boat away. But for petty theft in a crowded marina locks will mean the thieves move on to an easier target 100% of the time.

The Z bracket is a good idea but I only see it in galvanized not stainless. The spring latch would work if mounted on the stern of the boat itself and I drilled holes in the hatch to capture the pins. Anyways at least some options out there. First and foremost need a transmission from mercruiser via their warranty. Losing my summer boating here no thanks to them. Also turns out cheaper and easier to replace the ignition switches instead of rekey so that is all up on Monday.
 
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