You are NOT going to believe this

I am so sorry to hear about this. It is the first I have heard of someone actually having the brass balls to take another's boat out and then return it and yet to do it over again (beyond a teenage son). Assuming for the bare bones at your marina (as you indicated) that they do not have a security camera. What I would do is to catch this person and have him prosecuted so he does not do it again. Easy way to do it is to hide a small pin camera in your boat to take pictures (could be set off by motion). Taking your keys is an excellent idea, though all boat door keys and engine keys are pretty similar (not like a house key with millions of possible pin combinations). Just think of when a mechanic needs to get onto your boat and he says, no problem I have the master key. That is all it takes.

So, if he has that (keys), I would install a fuel shut off valve so if he does try to start the engines he is unable and the camera will capture his mug.
Last thing I would do is to hire an off duty police officer to stay on your boat and wait. He may even do it for free seeing he can chill on the water:)

Again, sorry for your troubles and I hope you catch this guy.
 
That is just crazy!!! Your lucky there is no damage done. Cause if I had the balls to do that I wouldn't care enought to take it easy. I would definitely grab a few friends and wait for this guy. If you don't want to get arrested, which is probably the route I would take consdering the circumstances I would at least inform the police. Unbelieveable!!!
 
I have to agree... it's more than likely an inside job. You know them (or you know their parents). I would not be surprised if they've been a guest on your boat before. I would hope to be wrong - but if I had to bet on it, that's what I'd put my money on.
 
Wow good luck solving this and sorry to hear about your misfortune. How many leave their keys in the ignitions in the cabin. I suspect a lot of boaters do.
 
Keep an eye on the marina staff and locals that live close to the marina. Sounds to me like you have some teenagers thinking they are cool. As posted, it's someone who "knows" your not going to be around when they are having their fun.

Finding out who it is "Great", forgiving and inviting them out to do a little barefoot skiing $100.00 fuel money... Using their neck to hold on to the rope "Priceless"!!!
 
How exactly are you "chaining" the boat to the dock?
I hope the joy riders can clearly see that, I'd hate to see the results of them pulling away while the chains were connected.
 
You may want to file a police report, with a statement from your neighbor. Just in case someone else copied down your bow numbers and filed a complaint about reckless operation. If your boat borrower did something bad with your boat you want it on record that you reported it as used without your permission.
 
Maybe it's time for another poll.. how many of you leave your keys on the boat??? secured or not...

And that's just happened to a good friend that keeps a bass boat next to our slip. He came back to an empty tank, beer cans and his boat not up on the lift this past weekend as well. :smt009 But granted DQ, I would have thought being locked up would have prevented it, our friend just leaves his keys in the ignition.
 
Hmmm.

Interesting ideas.

First. . .I agree about taking the keys with you.

BUT, at least there is probably no permanent harm.

And yes, it is not "unlikely" that the thief made an extra set of keys. But honestly, the ignition switches are not hard to replace. If they are accessible, then it would take maybe 10 minutes to replace them with switches only he can use. It would be annoying.

But in reality, I agree that it is probably an "inside" job and that you probably know the culprit. Hopefully, they would take the hint from the chains.
 
Wow, sorry to hear someone is Joyriding in your boat, I really hope you catch them. It's funny that you say this...Just last weekend we pulled up to our cabin at the lake and found our back door laying on our deck and our cabin completely filthy. Whoever it was, broke in, helped themselves to our beer, liquor, food, and pitched all their trash wherever it lay, inside or out. Luckily they didn't steal anything, (there really isn't that much of great value) and the boat was OK.

I just wish we'd have showed up while they where inside...
Also, I take my keys out when I leave for the weekend
Good luck!,

Venk
 
I have never left my keys in the boat.... They always go home with me, but what I'm now concerned about is the chaining to the dock. There are marina and boathouse fires in Seattle/Tacoma marinas all the time.... What if your marina is burning and nobody can move your boat because it is now chained to the dock.....?
Anyway, sorry to hear about this :smt021
 
douglee25 said:
You might as well not even lock the cabin then. :smt009

Doug
Click to expand...

If someone is willing to break through a rather substantial locked cabin door then they are going to steal the boat. I am on a private dock with two other boats and a bunch of nosy neighbors. There are easier boats to steal.
 
Sorry to hear about that. I recently installed GPS tracking devices in some of my company vehicles. I have some of the devices send me a text message & or email/phone call when the vehicle moves or starts, or turn off, or reaches a certain destination. Basically you set the parameters and its very simple.

The cost was only about $350.00 installed and you pay a small fee for a year or a group of messages. ITs not expensive and is well worth peace of mind.

They easily install in boats and have battery backup as well.
There are many devices available for your boat today.

Best thing to do would be to call the police as soon as you get that text or call from the device. Of course you could go online and see exactly where the boat is as well. Im not sure on the crime but I would think it is similar to auto theft which is serious.

Best
 
My first reaction was to hide aboard, wait for and shoot the S.O.B.

Then after reading later posts, I agree it's likely some teenage son of someone you know, trying to impress a girl. And what better way to get a girl alone in private for a little fun than to take her out on a nice boat, anchor in a quiet cove on a midweek afternoon, and party. So I assume you wouldn't want to shoot a friend's son and his girlfriend. Besides, the blood would be hard to clean up.

I kind of like the idea of catching him in the act and scaring him. Tie him up with anchor chain, and threathen him with walking the swim platform or some such . . . .
 
cmcjo said:
Sorry to hear about that. I recently installed GPS tracking devices in some of my company vehicles. I have some of the devices send me a text message & or email/phone call when the vehicle moves or starts, or turn off, or reaches a certain destination. Basically you set the parameters and its very simple.

The cost was only about $350.00 installed and you pay a small fee for a year or a group of messages. ITs not expensive and is well worth peace of mind.

They easily install in boats and have battery backup as well.
There are many devices available for your boat today.

Best thing to do would be to call the police as soon as you get that text or call from the device. Of course you could go online and see exactly where the boat is as well. Im not sure on the crime but I would think it is similar to auto theft which is serious.

Best
Click to expand...
Sounds great do you have a link for the products website or a retailer who sells it?
 
I'm not worried about leaving the keys in my boat as long as the marina doesn't leave their keys in the forklift. (I'm dry stacked)

PS: Taking out the bastard on his third invasion of your castle doesn't make it "premeditated murder" in my book. Just because you know your rights to defend your castle doesn't mean you lose them.
 
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