Battery Security on old V20

[Larryrsf]

The original reasons I bought this particular boat was because I will have indefinite free storage--and because I could pay only $100 for boat, motor, and trailer, a project. I can pull the boat trailer up into my neighbor's vacant field and easily turn and back the boat trailer into a level place behind my neighbor's house. It will be invisible and 150 yards from the main street between our houses, but slightly visible from a busy road that if someone were to park there and walk to the boat would entail a 100+ yard walk through formidable growth (with snakes and coyotes and who knows what else?).

I may be able to install a "voice alert" motion detector in the boat that sends a radio signal to a receiver inside my house when the boat tarp is lifted up there. If so, I would be able to interrupt any vandalism or theft in progress.

I am probably being overly paranoid, ha.

Larry

[SkunkBoat]

If it ain't stainless, don't use it.

batteries weigh like 60 pounds, enough deterrent for most.
They can steal your prop, hell, your lower unit, and get away faster than stealing 2 batteries...

The determined scumbag is going to trash your boat trying to get those batteries
so he can sell them for $5.

Not sure of the configuration of your hull, but if you can cover them to make them out of sight, thats your best bet.

[Larryrsf]

OK. I can rig up a decent cover for the battery well. That would make them invisible and if I can find a good way to lock it down, provide security too.

Thanks for the advice!

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Larryrsf

OK. I can rig up a decent cover for the battery well. That would make them invisible and if I can find a good way to lock it down, provide security too.

Thanks for the advice!

Keep in mind that's also your bilge...assuming there's a bilge pump down there, that's pretty critical water can get in there to be pumped out

[smokeonthewater]

Fact is, IF they steal your batts it will only be for scrap... They AIN'T gonna carry two batts 100 yards for scrap and load em on a busy street..... Just install in the usual way and if ur worried install a motion sensor light on the back of the garage.

[Blue_Runner]

I wouldn't carry a battery 20 yards for $5.

[steplift20]

i would put a sigh on my boat that says
nothing on this boat is worth your life
that should do it

[Larryrsf]

Well, since then, my wife watched the trailer launch and recovery process of that big boat and suggested we get a Marina slip for at least the summer. My photo shows the boat there. Pretty handy! We can park in a owners-only lot, walk through a card-entry gate, and down to the boat sitting ready to go.

I suppose there could be theft or vandalism there, but not likely! There are many eyes on many boats with people living aboard. I don't tempt otherwise honest people by leaving expensive tools visible in the boat, but I don't worry about the batteries, etc. My boat is probably the least expensive in the whole marina! Most are 30' + sailboats and some BIG motor launches. Those owners have more invested in just the canvas than I have in my boat, motor, and trailer! ha

While the boat is in the water, I am having my trailer re-built. After the boat was off, I could really look at the trailer. I realized I was lucky to have made it to the marina! One spring was broken, rusted through, and all the rollers were frozen, the guide railings were about to fall off and the bunkers DID fall off! A local company is replacing almost everything but the frame, new hitch, new winch, new modern folding jack. The total rebuild will cost $2000, which seemed high until I learned that a new tandem trailer for a Wellcraft V20 would cost $5K+.

Larry

[smokeonthewater]

sounds WAY high to me..... I'd get a second opinion.... BTW there never were any bunkers on your trailer... bunkers are holes in the ground...


It's bunk as in bed IE where the boat sleeps.


You should be able to buy a NEW trailer for 2k or so

[smokeonthewater]

http://greatlakesskipper.com/bear-lt...FQJqMgod5XcAsw