Boat Security & Theft Prevention

Whether you are storing your boat for just a week or the whole season, it pays to be wary. It may be extremely difficult to steal a boat on land, but your watercraft is still vulnerable to theft in several ways, some of which may not be initially obvious. Read how to secure your boat in this guide from Northwest Inboards.

Find Secure Storage

When a thief sees a vessel left unattended and out in the open, they see an opportunity to make off with it. As brazen as it sounds, if you leave your boat uncovered on its trailer, someone may attempt to hitch it up and drive away with it, usually when you are asleep or not at home. When storing a boat at home, keep it behind a tall, locked fence with the trailer’s tongue oriented away from the road if possible. The tongue should also be locked or removed altogether. Alternatively, you may choose to store your boat in a locked garage or shed out of sight, which has the added benefit of protecting your boat from the elements as well.

If you are using a marina or other storage facility, do some research on what security measures they have in place, like locks, alarms, surveillance, and guards. Never store your boat out in the open if possible.

Cover

A tight-fitting cover is surprisingly helpful in deterring theft.  Potential pilferers will think twice about messing with a covered boat, as they will not be able to inspect the craft without removing it, which is in itself very time-consuming. Factor in the amount of suspicion generated by someone other than the boat’s owner removing its cover, and you’ll have burglars looking for an easier target.

Remove Valuables & Paperwork

Even if they cannot take the boat itself, your vessel contains many valuables that a shifty character might want to snatch. Expensive binoculars, a fancy GPS unit, electronics, cameras, fishing rods, tackle boxes, watersports equipment, and anything else that can be fenced for a huge chunk of change might attract unwanted attention. Make sure that you take your valuables out before storing the boat. This goes double for any registration, licenses, logbooks, and journals, as these records may be used by boat thieves to convincingly fake authentic ownership if they attempt to sell your boat.

Mark Your Parts

Parts pillaging is not unheard of, so engrave or otherwise permanently mark the various parts of your vessel. You should have the craft’s hull identification number (HIN), your name, and your phone number. Marking every single part of your boat is probably not feasible, but make sure that you do so for your outboard motors, the trailer, electronics, and equipment. For security, use a sheet of paper and a soft pencil to create a rubbing of your HIN and store it somewhere safe for easy identification in case of theft. Some photos of your vessel will help as well, so store them in the same place.

Install A Security System

If you have the money and are concerned about theft, there are many boat security systems available for purchase. These range from simple alarms triggered by unlatched doors to video surveillance to GPS tracking systems that can pinpoint a stolen boat’s location in no time. Choose whatever measures are within your budget and offer the level of security you desire, but make sure the system is designed for marine use. Otherwise, wet conditions can ruin your fancy new security system.

With some common sense and preparation, you can keep your boat safe from thieves, whether they are attempting to steal the entire vessel or merely strip it for parts. For more on boat security or to view a range of models, visit Northwest Inboards at our dealership in Issaquah, Washington. We are proud to serve the western Washington state area, and we are conveniently located within a half-hour drive of Seattle.