Sudden spate of outboard thefts…

[Fatalbert]

Folks

Just a heads up (although sadly too late for some- us included) that there has been a massive spate of outboard thefts from yards and storage places in the last couple of weeks.

There’s been three in Cornwall in the last few days, but I’m aware that further north has been targeted too.

Professional thieves- cutting fences, disabling CCTV and then disk cutting outboards and locks off. I understand targeting Yamaha and Suzuki engines (anyone know why..?).

Sadly my 2yr old Yam 130 has gone…with associated damage. I could have cried.

Not sure what we can do about it to be honest, but maybe redouble whatever it was you were already doing..!

[spartacus]

Feel for you. The only option you have is to go through your insurance and hopefully you get back on the water soon.

There tends to be nothing then a spate of thefts, but in reality, it’s probably going on all the time, just depends on the police’s response, whether there’s sufficient leads to follow up.

It’s difficult to secure engines. As you said, these low-lifes turn up intent to remove, whatever the security measures in place. I’m sure most modern outboards are stolen and shipped abroad, or stripped for parts, given the cost of high-pressure injection pumps, electrics, etc.

I know Yamaha has Y-Cop technology which is effectively an immobiliser, but that won’t stop the theft.

Whatever you choose to do going forward, then consider some sort of tracker given the high costs involved. Can you get the boat under cover somewhere?

[Fenlander]

Sorry to hear this.

Our portable outboard value is minimal compared to your 130 but I'm agonising over the choice of this year's holiday. Either a high level of security kept where we are staying but restricted launching 2hrs either side of HW... or total convenience of the adj marina pontoon but with a far higher risk of theft/interference.

As Spartacus alludes... you can only do your best.

I'm considering a tracker for the outboard this year, just looking into the different types.

[Peter_C]

I wound up spotting a jammer for cameras and was curious so I researched a little. Turns out for around $40US you can buy a device that can easily find trackers and cameras. Hmmm...good investment for a thief today.

Now if you can get a tracker that only pings occasionally you would have a better chance of it NOT being discovered.

[Fatalbert]

Thanks for the replies.

Any good recommends on a tracker that will fit into an engine cowling gratefully received.

It does feel like you get to the point where you spend more and more and chase better security, but it can seem fruitless.

Our boat has a hitch lock, two wheel clamps, tracker, is stored in a secure yard with CCTV, outboard lock and data tagged engine…but still…engine gone. I’m just grateful that the transom isn’t badly damaged. Thank goodness for insurance.

I don’t know how much outboard theft is normal, but at least six sites in a week with multiple engines stolen from each one feels like a spate!

[Fenlander]

It does seem despite the logic a secured storage facility is best these are getting targeted more these days by professional thieves equipped to beat their defences. Google is a thieves friend for searching for these businesses online then using satellite maps to check out layout and access routes. Add in a drone for last minute reconnaissance (a problem seen here by local farms) and the planning can be very efficient.

[Fenlander]

>>for around $40US you can buy a device that can easily find trackers

It is true... modern tech provides as many downsides as solutions.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Fatalbert

.......It does feel like you get to the point where you spend more and more and chase better security, but it can seem fruitless.

Our boat has a hitch lock, two wheel clamps, tracker, is stored in a secure yard with CCTV, outboard lock and data tagged engine…but still…engine gone. I’m just grateful that the transom isn’t badly damaged. Thank goodness for insurance.

I think you've answered your own question there TBH. You've already gone further than most folk do with the physical security, and they still took your engine. You may as well take minimal precautions, enough to satisfy the insurance requirements & spend the money on good insurance.

[Matt]

Yeah, Tilley's posted that they'd been broken in to on their FB page. Nightmare.

[Peter_C]

Best solution may be to move! I have no lock on my trailer, no lock on my outboards for which one is just clamped on, and leave my GPS in place, along with all other boat accessories, and no GPS trackers! I do have cameras on our house though, and more importantly signs stating there are cameras. NO sign stating protected by "Smith and Wesson", nor a sign stating "No warning shot".


There are bad areas and good areas in the USA. Some I wouldn't go into at night and carry pepper spray during the day in bigger cities like San Francisco. We do keep our insurance paid up though.

[Matt]

Yeah, the US doesn’t have much crime does it.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Matt

Yeah, the US doesn’t have much crime does it.

Depends where you live, hence the comment to move.

[cdbxyz]

Originally Posted by Fatalbert

Thanks for the replies.

Any good recommends on a tracker that will fit into an engine cowling gratefully received.

It does feel like you get to the point where you spend more and more and chase better security, but it can seem fruitless.

Our boat has a hitch lock, two wheel clamps, tracker, is stored in a secure yard with CCTV, outboard lock and data tagged engine…but still…engine gone. I’m just grateful that the transom isn’t badly damaged. Thank goodness for insurance.

I don’t know how much outboard theft is normal, but at least six sites in a week with multiple engines stolen from each one feels like a spate!

My view is do what is required to satisfy your insurance requirements then don't worry about it.

Every time I leave my boat in the compound where it is stored I take a photo of the wheel lock fitted, which is what the insurance policy stipulates. This was I can easily show them I had adhered to policy at all times.

If engine or boat are stolen I don't really want them back, who knows how they have been treated by thieves. Get new from insurance.

[Matt]

I used to have an AirTag on my rib. Easy to hide one of them in a cowling

[cdbxyz]

Originally Posted by Matt

I used to have an AirTag on my rib. Easy to hide one of them in a cowling

If the thieves have an iphone it will alert them if an airtag that is not registered to them is 'following' them

[Matt]

Yeah. Maybe that’d be the necessary discouragement for them to leave it

[cdbxyz]

Or have it play a sound, find it and throw it away…

https://www.macworld.com/article/345...with-you.html#

[Matt]

I'm just trying help. But i'll leave you as the security expert to advise the best answer then.

[cdbxyz]

Everyone is trying to help - pointing out that an AirTag has drawbacks and isn’t a reliable safety device…

[Fenlander]

>>Or have it play a sound, find it and throw it away

Air Tags were never meant as an anti-theft device but they are a cheap and easy extra layer that may help or discourage.

Thieves prefer to spend minimal time enacting a theft and the time spent looking for and removing an AirTag could well make them move on. I know they can even force it to play a tone but it is possible to muffle the tag and in the dark under pressure to get in and out quickly it may be hard to find the tag before their patience runs out.

Of course if they take a chance of stealing the OB and finding the tag later then you will get some tracking. If they are totally ignorant of the system then the Air Tag will likely do its job.