TO LOCK OR NOT TO LOCK?

[PJHoffnet]

Unlocked. Four of the six closest boats to our slip are liveaboards and we have cameras. Should be enough of a deterrent. The idea of having to replace the lock, or door, is more of a PITA than having some stuff stolen from the cabin. All the $$ equipment is up on the open flybridge anyway, so no lock is going to secure that.

[Viper]

It seems like theft goes in cycles around here. No issues for a couple of years then suddenly several boats get hit with either thefts or vandalism.

Don't leave your flares on board over the winter!! If it's kids and they find that, they'll have a field day.

[buster53]

As they say in real estate....location, location, location. At our marina, my boat is never locked and keys are always in the ignition. I'm sure there are more than a few other boat owners that do the same. I might also add, there are always cars in the parking lot, unlocked with keys, if not in the ignition, over the visor, in the ash tray, etc.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are marinas that everything of value (even of little value) needs to be chained down or it will walk away.

[Cooler]

I always lock. Over the past 20 years, I have had 2 experiences with people boarding to help themselves. Both times they basically walked away. They decided to move along to another boat. Both times, unlocked boats near me were vandalized and were victims of theft. Any deterrent is better than none at all IMO. Insurance companies are not getting better at paying claims, just a lot better at denying them. The third time I had a strange thing, I was sleeping on board. A knucklehead unplugged my power cable, and started walking down the dock, repeating the process. He quit as he struggled to get out of the water when he fell in. The look on his face was priceless when he saw me holding a disconnected cable 2 feet away from him, in the water. Helped him out, but I did not give him a towel. Kinda feel bad about that in hindsight. I now have inexpensive cameras and a sign that says "Smile for the camera" er

[Viper]

Stick one of these on the back of the boat. Sometimes just the possibility that they might actually be on camera is enough to keep them away.
https://www.amazon.com/Smile-Youre-Camera-Signs-Stickers/dp/B079HNWY59/ref=pd_sbs_86_img_1/132-8521900-1573324?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079HNWY59&pd_rd_r=fdca8e06-0f12-4e81-98c4-9ecbe85c3fa1&pd_rd_w=PcGJH&pd_rd_wg=QB2Ho&pf_rd_p=5cfcfe89-300f-47d2-b1ad-a4e27203a02a&pf_rd_r=ESXPVQNTF12HDW7BPPMS&psc=1&refRID=ESXPVQNTF12HDW7BPPMS

[bud37]

I had an alarm system on one boat that was a pain because the motion detectors set it off all the time....but what seemed to work was just a simple flashing red led light installed in the salon door frame.....

[Viper]

I like that, good idea

[RGrew176]

it has been said often, a lock only keeps out honest people. My boat is locked. The lock will only slow them down. It won't stop them if they are determined to get inside. I don't have an alarm but do have an interior lamp on a timer. Might help, might not but it is at least something to give intruders something to think about.

[Tireless]

Lots of comments on this one. I retired after 40 + years service as a Police Officer.

I believe locks are only for honest people. I lock my house, but I don't lock my boat. There is nothing in my boat that would be worth as much as fixing the damage they would do breaking into the boat. Electronic's are on the bridge and they can't be locked up anyway.

Yes, locking it up is a deterrent, and the thief's biggest challenge is the time it would take to get in and the noise makes increasing his chances of detection and getting caught.

If their intent is vandalism, then it won't matter if it's locked or unlocked. They will get in anyway.

Got to do what you are comfortable with IMHO.

[RGrew176]

Years ago I kept a boat I owned at the time at a marina on the Raisin River in Monroe Mich. The marina was located on what was known as the "wrong side of town". Everyone there told me to just leave the boat unlocked so I did. 2nd year I owned the boat it was entered. They stole all the copper water lines and any other copper they could get their hands on. At least they didn't have to bust the lock to get in.