Locking Boat

[RDW]

Does anyone lock their boat (companionway) when they are inside at night if they are in a slightly dicy area? If so, how do you do it? I am new to boating but I lock my house at night and I know the neighborhood.
Any other security measures people do while on their boats would be interesting to hear about.
rdw

[jkleins]

We have a bolt lock that holds the main hatch down over the hatch boards/doors.

Jim

[Roaring Girl]

Hi - same as Jim, just a simple bolt that holds the main hatch into the frame. We can leave out the bottom washboard for air but it would be noisy for someone to get in that way.

We've very rarely done it but it has happened in one or two dodgier places.

[swagman]

Hi - Same as Sarah and Pip except in hot climates we do have a stainless / mesh washboard we can drop in with the hatch slid over the top and locked. It along with overhead small hatches open and big overhead hatches locked on the dogs has worked for us - to date.
Foolish not to lock up in any dicey location - go read our blog for December 2007 in Carribbean. Swagmans Sailing Blog

Cheers
JOHN

[barnakiel]

We locked ours in:

Panama,
Brazil,
RSA,
Las Lalmas, Gran Canaria

Elsewhere, we only locked the boat if leaving the boat.

In some places, like Sweden, Norway and some Pacific destinations we left the boat open most of the time.

b.

[David M]

Mark J had a metal screen built that provides ventilation and allows one to lock themselves in at night. Try a search with his name.

[hugosalt]

Wood dowl on main hatch cover...fishing line tied to cow bell as warning...but mostly
to make sure dinghy stays put...
Slocum used to sprinkle tacks on deck to fend off barefoot natives in South America/
Pacific Islands...worked for him...

[Cheechako]

I had both a metal dropboard screen and a bolt lock on the inside of the sliding companionway hatch.

[cantxsailor]

I have a "warbler" personal safety alarm. It's basicly a 130Dbel, 9v battery powered transportable burglar alarm. It uses a small plastic wedge inserted in the box to hold the contacts apart attached to a piece of monofilament fishing line. If the wedge is(easily) pulled out it screams bloody murder. The whole thing is smaller than a pack of smokes and can be set up anywhere. I attach the wrist lanyard to something solid and run the fishing line across the area most likely to be entered like the cockpit. Anyone sneaking aboard will snag the line pulling the wedge starting the sceaming. In most cases the intruder will by nature bolt from the loud noise. It has only been tested once on my boat but in that case a raccoon got tangled up in the line. I don't know who was more frightened him or me............m