Boat Theft & Recovery

Boats are often left unlocked and unsupervised, making them easy targets for theft.

Whether you are just out for a few hours or on a long excursion, few things can put a damper on your boating fun like having your boat stolen. Boats are "big ticket" items with high dollar value and a great deal of prestige value, so they are a prime target for theft. Even in hard economic times, a boat that is stolen can be sold way under value quickly. There are ways to prevent boat theft, and ways to recover your boat if it is taken.

Lock It

Just like an unlocked car, an unlocked boat is an easy target. There is no foolproof lock, although some are better than others, but any lock is better than no lock at all. It will deter thieves who don't want to arouse suspicion, especially in crowded areas, or take a chance on getting caught by the rightful owners returning to the vessel.

Brand It

In the old days, people branded their livestock to prove it was theirs. The same method works today. It isn't usually called branding, it's called marking, tattooing or labeling. Whatever you call it, put plenty of marks on your boat. Use an engraving tool to etch your name into fiberglass or metal areas. Mark parts that could be taken out and resold (in a boat version of a chop shop) such as engines, outdrives and props. Make sure the boat has a HIN number in place. The HIN is the Hull Identification Number. It is located on the transom (back wall) on the starboard (right) side just above the waterline. The HIN number on a boat is the same as a VIN number on a car. It is individual to each boat and tells a person who understands its symbols where the boat was made, what year it was made, and its own private ID number.

Take Pictures

Take lots of pictures of your boat. Both still and video pictures are best if possible. Keep printed versions of the stills, but posting both stills and videos online also helps provide proof of ownership at time of upload as well.

Don't Let It Drive Away

A boat on a trailer is particularly vulnerable. The thief hardly has to work at all if there are no measures in place to prevent them from backing up to the hitch, hooking up and driving off. Place a hitch lock on the ball of the trailer. Jack the trailer up on blocks and remove the tires (also excellent for winter storage to prevent tire rot). Park with a vehicle or other object blocking access to the trailer hitch.

Insure Yourself

Give yourself an extra dose of protection by insuring your boat. This is not only a smart move for on-the-water safety, but if your boat is stolen from the dock, on the water or even from your own driveway on its trailer, it will be covered.

Buyer Protection

Don't buy a stolen boat. That seems like a reasonable warning, but it can be difficult to tell if a boat is stolen. Things to consider when looking for a boat to make sure you don't get stuck with a repossessed vehicle and loss of all the purchase price. Check to see if the HIN number looks altered. Never buy a boat without proper title and/or registration information. Do not buy a boat with a duplicated, copied title, especially if it is an out-of-state document. And don't buy a boat priced far below realistic value for the type, make and condition of the vessel.

Recovery

Boats that are broken up and sold for parts are harder to trace than boats sold as entire units. A stolen boat is marked during registration, although usually it is the buyer who purchased the boat from the thief who ends up with nothing after paying for a boat. Owners of stolen boats should check boat registry listings for signs of their boat.

References

• Boat Safe: Prevent Boat Theft
• Lane County Oregon: Owners Can Reduce Boat Theft With Basic Steps

Resources

• National Boat Registry