Sorry for the shocking picture. It was chosen to drive home a point. Security is an issue on the Minneapolis lake buoys. Unlike a proper marina with gated access to the docks, our boats are moored on open water. Now that may seem very safe, but there is a parade of traffic that passes by and through them 24 hours a day. Canoes, kayaks, fishing boats, other sailboats, and even swimmers make up the mix.
This post is not designed to scare anyone off from sailing on the Minneapolis lakes. I feel that they are a wonderful, safe, and enjoyable place to keep your boat. Think about it like this: It’s the same as parking your car on a street overnight in Minneapolis. You are subject to the same risks, and you need to take the same precautions.
Leave NOTHING of value out or unlocked. This includes your trolling motor. One per year is stolen on Harriet. Really.
Lock your companionway and cockpit lockers with real locks.
If you have cockpit electronics, cover them with their plastic faceplates when leaving the boat.
Minimize valuables in your boat, or at least stow them so they cannot be seen thru your windows.
Keep lighters and matches well hidden. An easily-found lighter cost me a boat.
Consider getting an alarm. I have one.
Insure your boat. Not just for full loss, but for damage.
Most of the break-ins happen at night, or in the dawn and twilight hours. Now I know this would seem to implicate the fishermen, but that’s not my point. You just cannot expect your boat to be secure without taking some precautions. Spending time on the boat during these hours lessens the risk as well, and has other great positive side effects. Like watching the sun set!Regarding alarms, I found this unit on Amazon. It is battery powered, and has IR motion detection. The alarm sound is 130db, so it will shock anyone that comes on boat, and alert anyone nearby. I mounted mine on the front bulkhead facing the companionway. It starts to 'chirp' the moment someone steps inside the boat. It is not a perfect solution, but it should help scare off a casual break-in. I put stickers near my companionway to let potential thieves know of it's existence.
Trolling motors are a real target. If you do not lock yours down, you MUST stow it in a locked locker. Ignore this advice and your motor will be gone in a week. If your troller is a Minn-Kota you are in luck, they make a slick lock-box that covers and secures the wing-bolts that attach the motor to the mount. Small, very secure, and less than 20 bucks.
Regarding the burned boat, that is a picture of the sad remains of True Companion, the S2 7.0 meter that Sheree and I bought as a ‘good old boat’ and refitted. She was burned on her buoy on Lake Harriet in August of 2009.
The three teenage boys who swam out to her to commit the crime have never been caught. A $2500 reward is still offered for information that leads to their arrest. The image below shows their bikes in some detail. Eye witnesses said they boys were white and between 13 and 15. One of them can actually be seen on shore in the picture. If you have any information, call the Minneapolis Arson Squad at 612-673-3389. They believe the bike to be a 2007 or 2008 Raleigh brand “Retro cruiser-I” model. Note the distinctive handle bars and the green colored carrier attached to the rear seat.
