I'm planning on storing my SIB fully inflated in a dinghy park over the summer months.
The park is gated and I believe there is CCTV in operation as well. I'm planning on taking my engine on and off and storing at home when not in use. However there will be occasions when I leave it on if I'm planning on going out on consecutive days.
So could anyone please recommend a good outboard engine lock? Just for added peace of mind. :-)
The locks with a tin plate bar and joke padlock the chandlers sell are generally cr@p.
I turn the two turnbuckles to meet and then stick a decent approved padlock through the holes. It's only going to defeat the most inept opportunistic thief though and is mainly to satisfy the insurance T+Cs.
The truth is pretty well all the clamp covering locks on portable OBs can be levered off with a crowbar which will also deal with Max's method (no disrespect Max, it's a method I've used).
If you have to leave the OB on they are for decoration and to satisfy the insurance co. If you particularly value the OB never leave it on.
The locks that bolt the OB to the transom are a bit better... but nothing stops the cordless grinder as Roy says.
Motorbike chain through the elephants trunk then between leg and pivot shaft works on a rib but wont stop a determined thief, on a sib they'll just stanley knife the tubes off or take the boat or grind the chain.
Taking it home is best option
There is no lock that will stop an outboard being stolen from a RIB or SIB. If the lock is strong, they'll cut the transom or the tubes. However, a decent lock may stop the opportunist, or if the boat is left in a place where the use of a jigsaw or angle grinder would be conspicuous. I was very satisfied with one of these:
However, I was disappointed to discover that it did not float.
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Sea Fury
