Securing a kayak - Locks, Cables...?

[schplurg]

I've been looking up different cable locks to secure my WS Ride 115 to my Dad's dock. In or out of the water I suppose. Let's assume out of the water.

 

I see a lot of cable systems. Some loop around the front and stern of the yak, others go through the scuppers. I think I'd prefer a scupper version.

 

The likelihood of theft is somewhat low. I am reading that aircraft steel is best for cable toughness. It needs to be pretty weather resistant. Combo, key lock or both. 

 

I saw a Master lock cable that supposedly can be hammered and broken open easily (the lock). Would a separate very thick lock be better or worse than a built in lock? I expect that anyone prepared could cut through anything eventually, but if mine is beefy enough then maybe a would-be thief would move on.

 

Well anyways, any suggestions? Doesn't have to be kayak specific. 

[Rocketvapor]

What is the clear inside diameter of your scupper?

Hitch pin lock through a plate and the scupper and a piece of stainless bolted to the dock.

Could be designed for minimal access. 

 

[TnRiver46]

Just make sure your dads neighbor has nicer stuff than you and no worries!!! 
 

I just always try to make it to where the moron attempting to steal anything would have to take a lot of time and make a lot of noise in order to steal something, I imagine they wouldn’t like that. Sometimes it’s just parking or arranging stuff in the way of the boat. Locks are good but thieves are good and defeating them as well. A heavy chain in combination with a lock might be pretty good, if nothing else fiddling with the chain is going to make a ton of noise and hopefully alert someone. 
 

Setting up a doghouse with a Rottweiler by the dock would be ideal………

[the reel ess]

I use a coated cable that came from a small safe we bought with a keyed Master lock I had lying around when I use anything. That's mostly if I go on vacation and want to leave the kayak in the truck overnight in public places, like at a condo. IMO almost any will do. Whoever gets the idea to take it probably won't be carrying bolt cutters in their boat. And if they are, they're getting it anyway. If you leave it somewhere long-term, I'd take it up to the house for safer storage. I don't want to insult your intelligence, but just don't run the cable or chain through anything on the kayak that can be unscrewed. 

[desmobob]

You can buy a length of hardened chain and a good padlock, or you can go lower budget and buy a cable type bicycle lock, etc.  A real thief will get it if they really want it but a decent chain/cable and lock will discourage the majority, I'd guess.

[galyonj]

4 minutes ago, desmobob said:

A real thief will get it if they really want it but a decent chain/cable and lock will discourage the majority, I'd guess.

 

This is an important consideration. Most locks and locking systems are really just gonna keep honest people honest.

[bulldog1935]

I use the 6' Master Lock cable lock + 10' Master Lock looped cable.  

works at the dock

 

and also on the truck bed extender

Removing the boat is simple - undo the cable lock (and the cam straps).  

Close the cable lock, and the bed extender is part of the truck.  

 

they don't really make an affordable Kryptonite lock for this application.  

While a powered cut-off makes short work of cable lock - you'll hear it even from a hotel room - it still takes half a day to chew through the cable with bolt cutters.  

[Darth-Baiter]

I use the same cable I have for my motorcycle.  The lock is this tiny krytonite u lock that folks put thru their brake disc. 
 

ive seen an industrial cable cutter.  Nothing can resist that.  Nothing.  But I only seen contractors use it. 

[Boomstick]

Honestly, people will cut locks if they're going to steal it. Your best deterrent is having an easily visible security camera pointing right at it. Add in a cable and they'll know they're gonna be on camera for a little but and maybe they'll say forget it.

 

A couple of visible shotgun blasts to a nearby tree never hurt either.

[Bankc]

One of my best friends used to be a locksmith.  He always said, a lock doesn't keep a thief from stealing, but it may keep an honest person, honest.  

 

In other words, with a battery powered saw and a diamond blade, they can cut through just about any lock or cable in a few seconds.  They might just cut your dock up to free it on that end if they need to.  If someone wants to steal it, they will.  So expensive locks won't do any better than cheap locks.  If it'll hold up to a pocket knife, that's all you need.  Otherwise if someone wants it bad enough, they will take it.  Your best protections are lights, visible security cameras, dogs, and good insurance.  

 

 

[schplurg]

Good responses, thank you all.

 

The neighbor's dock has a motion light and a couple of cameras. I have old cameras I don't use and could put one up as a dummy. They have yaks too that aren't locked. Cheap ones. Mine is a bit old as well so not a huge target.

 

This dock is not wood, and the walking surface is concrete. My Dad designed and built these for some people up at the lake. They do not move or bounce around at all, which is nice. There are a lot of expensive homes side by side in some areas on the lake. There are metal poles holding up the canopy/roof and plenty of good areas to wrap a cable around.

 

So I do have a very solid structure to attach it to.

 

His house is practically sound proof. He built it and he didn't wanna hear the weekend crowds with the windows shut. So I don't know if I'd hear any saw. I'm sure he wouldn't!

 

I'd like to stow it near or under the house when I'm not there. If I can.

 

I think the scuppers are probably an inch, maybe slightly less. My idea was to run a cable through a few holes and wrap it around part of the dock. AND put a cover on it.

 

I want to discourage a non-professional thief, and stop a random drunk dude who may or may not try and take it. It's a public lake, but kind of semi-private. Not many boaters visit there anymore, so I think it's mainly locals.

 

Maybe a cable with a separate lock. Any recommendations of cable material? Some must be more difficult to cut than others for an average Joe thief. Maybe I would hear it if it takes them awhile.

 

Thanks again!

Maybe I will put up a sign next to it: "The Guy Across The Cove Has Two Hobie Pedal Kayaks!' (my Dad's friend)

14 hours ago, Rocketvapor said:

What is the clear inside diameter of your scupper?

Hitch pin lock through a plate and the scupper and a piece of stainless bolted to the dock.

Could be designed for minimal access. 

 

 

 

Hmmm interesting!

[Bankc]

304 stainless is probably the best balance of corrosion resistance, strength, and cost.  316 if it's going to be in salt water.  

[schplurg]

 

The dock. Neighbor's dock to the left has the cams and light. I could throw a solar powered motion light up too maybe. Probably won't bother. I used to have one that was very reliable.

 

Photo is from a video of me fishing. He parks a pontoon boat on the lift thing. I can park the boat where I'm standing.

 

I'm going to get a cable with a good quality lock (for rust more than thieves) and wrap it around the best place I can find.

 

To blab a little more, this cove is awesome for bass. I won't need to paddle far. I could push off the dock and be right there. The weekly tourney shootout guys blow right through it, quickly casting and moving on. I catch the bass right behind them.

 

Theres a mini point out of view to the left next to the other dock that sticks out slightly farther than my Dad's dock. Great fishing!

 

Should be easy on my tendinitis. Maybe if I start liking the kayak (I always say I don't much) I will upgrade to a pedal system. Very excited!

 

Thanks for the help guys. I do like the idea of a plate I could lock it directly too. May be possible here.

[the reel ess]

On 7/23/2021 at 9:29 PM, schplurg said:

I want to discourage a non-professional thief, and stop a random drunk dude who may or may not try and take it. It's a public lake, but kind of semi-private. Not many boaters visit there anymore, so I think it's mainly locals.

In my neck of the woods it's the druggies, usually fresh out of jail, that do most of the burglaries. The cops only have to look at the habitual offenders who are fresh out and narrow it down. They don't usually solve small burglaries, but they get eyes on the person and make a drug case against them.

 

So they usually want to steal smaller, pawnable items like tools. I don't even secure my kayaks, but I do secure my fishing equipment. I can just imagine a junkie running down the street with a 10-12' kayak. There were twin brothers living near us who everyone suspected of every crime. They lost their house because they didn't pay taxes and thefts went to nothing.

 

 

[schplurg]

I ended up getting a Master cable lock. I know they are easy to break, but I'm gonna have a cheap cover on the yak too, so I can cinch down this lock tite and put it in the boat so it is out of sight. And it will be tight against the boat discouraging a hammer strike. Best I can do for now.

 

Hopefully a burglar will see the cable and wonder what kind of lock it is attached to and "gee that kayak isn't that great" and move on.

 

Kayak theft from a boat seems like an awful risk anyways haha. You'd need a definite plan. Probably more common to steal what's IN the boat...rods, fishfinders....

 

The only way to steal it is by water. Gated community too. An on-the-water burglar risks his hull ID being seen on video. These are nice big homes, though many can be empty off-season. Lot of gun owners too I would guess.

 

My Dad says theft is super low, in fact you see empty kayaks floating out in the lake sometimes that have blown off docks. I helped rescue one once. The owner eventually claimed it from our neighbor. Weeks later haha.

 

I thought about getting a square link chain but they won't fit through my scuppers. I finally said screw it and got what was on the shelf at Lowes.

 

Thanks again!

[Bluebasser86]

I use a cable bicycle lock through the hole where my drive goes. I wouldn't be hard to break or cut with the proper tools, but it keeps that dumb teenager who has always wanted a kayak from doing dumb teenager things. I always keep the drive separate also, since my pedal yak is kind of pointless without it. 

[Hammer 4]

If possible, install a fake security camera, that may be enough to make a thief think twice..