Protecting An Investment

[DINK WHISPERER]

Hey guys, just as i finally got in a position to get a couple of power poles for my bass boat, my buddys got stolen off of his saltwater flats boat! This made me think and research a little. My garage will not fit my boat so i cover it and put it in the backyard that is fenced in. I know that is not enough for a determined thief though. So, i want to hear you guys ideas on protecting such an expensive add-on. All i could really come up with was this site linked below. Anyone use this kit, http://WWW.SHADYCAJIN.COM/Fishing___Marine.php

just need some advice before i get mine. I CANNOT afford to get so much $$ stolen! 

[flyfisher]

Someone who wants your stuff is going to take it no matter where it is.  If you keep it stored in your back yard that is fenced you will prevent any of your normal "opportunity" thieves.  The others, just make an insurance claim.

 

I guess the other option is getting a dog in the backyard as a barking dog usually deters most would be thieves who move on to easier, quieter options.

[Teal]

Someone who wants your stuff is going to take it no matter where it is. If you keep it stored in your back yard that is fenced you will prevent any of your normal "opportunity" thieves. The others, just make an insurance claim.

I guess the other option is getting a dog in the backyard as a barking dog usually deters most would be thieves who move on to easier, quieter options.

Fence and a dog work for me. Have you looked into rental storage,

[DINK WHISPERER]

Yes, i looked around but no storages that fit boats anywhere near my home. My buddy also suggested a dog but i honestly don't have time or patience to care for one. It would be unfair to the animal if i got one. I have had stuff stolen from my property already so that is what worries me even more! I strip the boat after every trip of everyting i can remove. I even considered welding the poles/brackets & jackplate together but i don't think it can be done without damage. Idk guys, i might just not get them. I was going to put a shed up for the boat but no room anywhere on sides or back of house. I can barely squeeze it in there now.

[Koofy Smacker]

how about some sort of chain or tempered steel cable that you can run through them and attach to a tree or even a cement block you pour in the ground with a heavy duty i bolt

[Teal]

I was going to suggest a shed or a carport and then build sides and a back.

and i would not let fear of thieves stop me from doing something i want. Make sure its insured and that the power poles are covered.

[flyfisher]

Wow this is a lot of effort.  Think of it this way, you keep the honest people honest and make it difficult for the thieves to steal your stuff but at the same time don't go crazy to the point that if they want it they trash everything in the process.

 

 

Call your insurance company, get your deductible decreased and hope for the best

[slonezp]

Talons have a quick release mount if you'd be willing to switch anchors

[J Francho]

For $40, that mounting hardware is a slam dunk. Insure the boat against theft, and use those. No sense in living in fear and not enjoying the things you have.

[DINK WHISPERER]

Talons have a quick release mount if you'd be willing to switch anchors

 

I knew that was coming and was going to add no Talons to the OP, lol. But no i'm set on Power Poles. I don't like anything about the Talons.

[Shewillbemine]

I used to feel the same way with more expensive toys such as new cars. It was all about car alarms, LoJack, text messaging alarm systems...then I determined that amount of stress and protection wasn't worth my time. 

 

Make sure you have a good insurance policy, keep the boat in the backyard as you said, and move on with your life. Someone willing to break into your yard/house to get Power Poles will likely not be deterred by much of anything else. The likelihood the boat will be broken into while parked on your property is fairly slim, compared to a public slip or street parking. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Yes i agree it is stressfull worrying about thiefs but it's for a reason. There has been a lot of it going on in our area lately. Just Sun night someone tried to ****** my Lowrance console unit while i was gone to the auto parts store with my wife and kids inside the house! I was working on wiring and needed more fuses. I came back to a torn out power wire and broken fuse panel!! Cops say it is people going around to nicer neighborhoods doing it. I just moved my family here a yr ago because our old place was too out of control in the crime dept, go figure! It makes me sick the nerve some people have! I found some good products to secure the poles in most crucial areas and will be adding them to insurance as well. I will leave the rest up to chance i guess.....

[slonezp]

So what products did you find?

[DINK WHISPERER]

http://www.mcgard.com/marine/outboard-motor-locks

http://www.shop.shadycajin.com/Set-back-adaptbracket-kit-for-Minn-Kota-Talon-Power-Pole-security-bracket-kit-1.htm

 

 

For the area where the PP bracket mounts to the side of the jackplate (Bobs Action jack) i used a product by Mcgard. Bob's machine shop recommended it to me. It's an outboard lock that will fit on the bracket bolts. For the bolts where the poles actually attach to the bracket i an going with the product in the OP. But since i am going with the Sportsman II poles i now have to address the bolts that hold the 2 piece bracket that series of pole comes with. PP really dropped the ball with that bracket design IMO! 

[J Francho]

Cops say it is people going around to nicer neighborhoods doing it.

 

Perhaps a few emails, phone calls, and speaking up at town board meetings is in order.  If it's a nice neighborhood, then LE should step up patrols.

[DINK WHISPERER]

J Francho, on 06 Mar 2013 - 09:08, said:

Perhaps a few emails, phone calls, and speaking up at town board meetings is in order. If it's a nice neighborhood, then LE should step up patrols.

Who could i reach out to with calls & emails J Francho? Im not familiar with all that seeing as how i've never had to deal with it before(Calls & meetings). It is a very nice neighborhood though. A lot of retired folks on my street. About two weeks ago someone siphoned the fuel out of my next door neighbors cars and stole her lawn mower! She is in her 70s and lives alone. Cops told me not much can be done without proof of who it is. Said if i catch them on my property to "deal with them" and call them right away. Like i'm going to be lucky enough to actually catch someone in the act! I guess crime will always be everywhere in some way, shape or form. It's getting old fast though so im going to take all available precautions and live on! Thnx guys...

[J Francho]

I'd start with town/city hall.  I got a ticket for leaving my truck parked on the street during winter parking regulations.  There was no snow on the road at all, but they like the revenue, lol.  I called the town hall, and basically said I'd pay the $100 fine, but not for nothing, THEY NEVER PLOW MY STREET WHEN THERE IS SNOW!!!  Well, ever since, my street gets plowed. That's just one small example.  Politicians can't know what the citizens want without hearing from them.  These aren't "political" issues, they are just life issues, and they are there to represent us and our needs.

[Sam]

Dink, there are three things that a perk will flee:

 

1.  Sound

2.  Light

3.  Time

 

Sound - Any alarm will chase them away.

Light - They don't want to be seen. With cameras all over the place as soon as a light comes on your outdoor camera can snap a photo without them knowing. Plus the fact that a bright light will bring the focus upon them and they will flee.

Time - Anything to slow them down will make them go away if it is really tough to breach.

 

Have you considered contacting the manufacturer about the best way to secure the power poles? They may have some suggestions or a locking system that you can purchase.

 

If you cannot hide the boat behind your house then you will have to rely on using all or a combination of the above three items to stop or slow down the perks.

 

In a Bass Pro Shop Catalog I noticed locks for boating equipment. I have no idea if the locks in the catalog can be applied to your situation but you may want to go online to BPS, Cabela's, Tackle Warehouse, etc. and note what is available.

 

And give some thought to hiding an outdoor camera facing the boat. A camera that will take pics at night.

 

As a last resort, transfer the risk to a professional risk taker: your boat insurance carrier. You know the financial assumption (the deductible) you will have to accept but at least the majority of the power poles value will be paid by the insurance carrier if they are damaged or stolen.

 

An individual can insult my wife; steal my car; burn down my house. But never, never, never screw around with my boat!

[DINK WHISPERER]

This is some good info J Francho i always just thought nobody would listen! I will definately try that. Sam, yes i called Power Pole directly and they do not currently offer anything to lock the anchors down. They did however offer to give my buddy who got his stolen another one! they said the pump is the expensive part and since they didnt get that they could find him a replacement! Excellent service...  i thought about a camera as well but will be adding an alarm to the boat first. Ading all these "toys" is really adding up in $$ so every bit of protection helps. Guy that works with me has some of the new Blades and says he chains them down to the jackplate while parked! Lmao.....

[Koofy Smacker]

Get a game camera (infrared) and put it in your backyard facing the boat. Any movement will set it off and youll have proof. Getting one with a video feature is even better.

[tstone]

I'm not familiar with how they mount, but could you just tack weld the threads on the end of the bolt so you can't just remove the nut? You'd have to cut it if you ever want to remove it yourself, but it would make it harder to steal too.