Barbarossa Winches Disappeared

[spiritsailingco]

Two Barbarossa 54-2's and a 74-3 were unbolted and removed from our trimaran in Palm Beach Harbor. I will pay a reward for any leads on finding the people who borrowed them from us. We need them back-No questions asked.. We are a non-profit organization taking kids sailing from the Boys and Girls Clubs and this is a huge expense for us so I pray that they will find their way home. The 74-3 is about 90 pounds or 40 kilos. Other than contacting marine surplus and scrap yards, any ideas on where to look for these?
Thank you.

[maxingout]

Things must be getting desperate in Palm Beach for people to be stealing winches off boats to sell as scrap.

[pressuredrop]

im not sure if palm beach harbor is south florida, never heard it called that, maybe the OP give some more details about the location... 90lbs, thats a helluva winch

[spiritsailingco]

The boat was anchored near the inlet in West Palm Beach, Florida. These are big winches - they probably wouldn't show up on boats under 40'

[pressuredrop]

thanks spirit, ill keep my eyes open, good luck

[smallyachts]

I feel for you, we are still reeling from having all of our sail handling and deck hardware,as well as various systems pieces stolen while rebuilding our big ketch. I kept it all stored in a trailer that was chained and on flat tires.

You should check any and all used chandlery stores in the area as well as any pawn shops.

Since you have pictures, you can email them to the various shop owners that you contact.

Sadly, they are probably going on someone's project boat who felt they needed them more than you. You should also start asking around and see if anyone knows of any "project boats" being done in the area.

A year after our hardware was stolen, I found the trailer that it was all in at the time. I got the trailer back, but the culprits still won't come clean on any of the contents.

I would be keeping an eye open on ebay and craigslist as well.

[Ram]

im Sorry to hear this! - Im sailing back to Lake Worth Inlet this winter and will have a motion video alarm set up that moniters the whole boat and will call my cell phone if someone comes aboard- might be worth installing on your boat- I know this will not help you get your winches back, but maybe these folks who ripped you off will be back for more easy pickings?

[Drew13440]

I've been at the dock for five years with a hose nozzle jury rigged with a dry wall screw. So I go buy a fancy new nozzle this year. Two weeks, it's gone. I've got a new neighbor with a REMARKABLY similar, new nozzle, two boats down. His nozzle is not standard with his hose set up. So the moral question is, do I "re-borrow" the nozzle, confront the new neighbor, or just forget about it and replace it? Really ticks me off. Sorry to hijack the thread. Thoughts?

[mintyspilot]

Have you looked over the side in case the winches are on the bottom? Given their weight they might have dropped one if they were careless.

[Tellie]

Wow 90 pounders! Pics can be deceiving. Are they electric?
Either way, I hates a thief. I've anchored there many times and work in that area often. There are always some shady characters in that local neighborhood on and off the water. Sorry to hear of your loss especially considering they where used for the Boys and Girls Club. I'll keep an eye out as well.

[Sunspot Baby]

I assume you made a police report so that if they do show up reclaiming them will be easier.

George

[spiritsailingco]

I am thankful for everyone's response. The 74-3 is an electric winch but I have the electric motor component in the shop.
Yes, I did file a police report and their response was to give me a ticket for expired registration and a threat to have the boat removed since it is now considered un operational. The officer told me that any boat over 40' is required to have two means of propulsion according to new Florida statute. The outboard was stolen a few months ago and we decided not to leave another one on the boat to be stolen again.
In other words, if someone wants to have a boat removed from a Florida waterway, (ie. from within view of their house), all they have to do is arrange to make it "un operational" and they win. At one point, someone cut our anchor line and the boat was impounded. I was charged with abandoning a vessel and finally won in court after much time and effort. The police refused to take a report concerning the precisely cut line, so it is obvious which side of the law they are on.

[Vasco]

Welcome to Florida!

[captain58sailin]

Sorry about your troubles. I hope you get your winches back soon.

[tager]

Wow... sounds like owning a boat in Florida is a criminal offense!

About the hose-nozzle. I would just forget about it, because if you don't KNOW that they stole it, you might embarrass yourself. (I have done this before and it is not fun.)