Owning a boat is a huge achievement especially if you worked hard for it. Being a boat owner poses a lot of responsibility. You need to maintain its condition including its equipment, gear and supplies, and protect it at all costs.

Criminals often target boats because of their vulnerability, especially when it’s left alone docked at the marina. And when boat theft occurs, valuable marine equipment such as electronics are usually the first items taken. Marine electronics are preferred because of their value and ease of access. With simple tools like bolt cutters and screwdrivers, equipment such as navigation systems, sound equipment, sonar devices, and other electronics can be quickly removed and easily hidden. And if you don’t have a plan for protecting your electronics from theft, your boat could become the next target.

List All Your Inventory

Always make sure that you’re tracking your boat electronics, fishing equipment, and other important stuff that is stored in your boat. It is important to include the serial number and manufacturer of each device in your inventory list so you can easily trace them when they are stolen. This will also help you track down the stolen item if the thief will try to sell it. Additional documentation such as taking photos of your boat equipment can also be useful for future reference. 

Install Anti-theft Devices

An effective way to scare off a thief is by installing an alarm system on your boat. This is identical to the car alarms that will produce a loud sound when an unauthorized person will try to open your boat. If you want to monitor your boat more, you can purchase a boat alarm with a security camera that will show you real-time recordings by connecting them to your smartphones or tablets. This is by far the best way to monitor your boat and prevent unwanted happenings. GPS tracker devices are also useful to monitor the exact location of your boat if someone will try to drive them away. You can get these at your local marine boat stores. 

Find a Safe Spot to Store Your Boat

Boats that are kept on trailers are an easy target for thieves. It’s better to store your boat in a warehouse, boat storage facility, or a locked garage just to keep them safe. But if you can’t afford to store them in these places, you can keep your trailered boats in your yard or your driveway but make sure that you’ll cover them to secure all electronic devices. This will prevent any stealing temptations since they don’t know what’s inside your boat.

Also, use chains with a high-quality lock so you can attach your boat to a fixed object or you can remove one wheel to prevent anyone from driving your boat away. Storing your boat outside is a big risk so make sure that you have installed alarm devices on your boat.

Insure Your Boat

While boat insurance won’t keep your boat from being stolen, it can help you recover quicker if it is. However, take note that the cheapest insurance policy may not provide adequate coverage for your boat and equipment. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent or a boat insurance specialist to make sure that you understand your policy to your satisfaction.

Report to the Authorities If Ever Your Boat Gets Stolen

If your boat or boating equipment is stolen, immediately report the loss to the local police department and your insurance company. If you use a marina or storage facility to house your boat, you should also report the loss to them. Gather your inventory list and pictures and be ready to answer any questions they may have about the incident. Being able to identify your property with documentation is crucial to the recovery of your boat and equipment and the prosecution of the thief.

Many people don’t make boat security a priority until it’s too late. Convenience tends to outweigh cautiousness. It is important to take the extra time to ensure that your boat and equipment are properly protected.