Securing Scotty Downriggers

[pennel]

Anybody got any ideas on how to leave Scotty downriggers securely in place on your boat.
I realise that you will not stop a determined thief but most are looking for a quick in and out.
Know a few people with the Scotty lock system but are not impressed- locks seizing up seems to be their main problem.
Thanks

 

[big.griff]

I use long 3/8" Stainless bolts. All depends where you boat is kept I guess.

 

[reelfast]

I removed the supplied fastening stuff and used stainless bolts to hold things in place on the mounts. then I added the scotty locking long pin to the mix. a bit of corrosion X in the lock mechanism will help with the seizing problem. I leave them on during the season in the marina. someone is going to really want to have them the way they are mounted but certainly possible with a wrench or two.

 

[wolf]

On the pedestals put 2 different type of hex bolts the ones where it needs a hex wrenchs with locking nuts on them then standard nuts and bolts if you use just the normal thumb tabs they will take of pedestals if you have the scotty locks on the riggers, as for the locks they work fine for me BUT i crammed this thick heavy pipe marine grease in the lock (every time i put them on seals up where the key goes in ) have had them for about 8 years now with no issue.
I was told by insurance if there is no lock you are SOL but with locks on you are covered....

Good luck Wolf

 

[SpringVelocity]

That is good to know in insurance Wolf...Didn't know that.

We had a guy with his son who had them lifted from Chaenuh Marina parking lot year...Guy was cleaning his fish and boat on trailer when someone took them. That was right in daylight but ramp was busy so no -one would question why someone was taking riggers off.

Of course no one saw anything... That really sucked young kid was crying over it. scumbags.

To add you can get a security screw in combination with what Roy said. You can get a variety of them but there not as common. Different hex combinations that require different tools to take off.

 

[Paddywagon]

securing downrigger

Anybody got any ideas on how to leave Scotty downriggers securely in place on your boat.
I realise that you will not stop a determined thief but most are looking for a quick in and out.
Know a few people with the Scotty lock system but are not impressed- locks seizing up seems to be their main problem.
Thanks

If someone is determind you will not stop them but here is what I do to slow them down:
1 Paint half of the black motor cover and housing a different colour
2 Scotty lock on the scew in downrigger bolt
3 Epoxy the bolts on the turntable mounts so a wrench will not work.
4 Secure the downrigger to the boat with a bycycle lock
5 Scibe your drivers licience # somewhere on the downrigger

 

[wolf]

To add you can get a security screw in combination with what Roy said. You can get a variety of them but there not as common. Different hex combinations that require different tools to take off.

Yes what thief is going to take time with 4 different tools to rip you off they will pass and go for an easy target with no lock or thumb screws they want to get in and out in less than a few minutes....

 

[SpringVelocity]

very true.......

 

[Peahead]

That is good to know in insurance Wolf...Didn't know that.
.

I think Roy's and others security suggestions/ideas are great ideas. The only one I'd add is use the old model Scotty's and older looking riggers - don't replace the scotty top plastic cover with new shiny ones - you want that sun bleached used and well weathered look

Locking EVERYTHING of value would decrease the chance of it being stolen, obviously. Insurance companies will tell you to lock devices because it works to cut down on claims for them ( alarms will get you a discount sometimes) but when it comes to an actual claim being rejected or not - your particular company should tell you what type of claim will not be successful.

It likely would be smoother transaction dealing with an insurance claim if you had all sorts of security measures in place prior to a theft but as far as a claim being rejected due only to no lock on an that attached device - unlikely. An insurance company expecting everything attached to be locked would be ridiculous - eg. imagine this : lock for the antennas, the radar, spot light, prawn puller, spreader lights, anchor and windlass ( lock on sounders and radios not locked inside cabin). I'd be more concerned about loose items like rods/reels on deck or a portable VHF being left on a seat while you left your boat for a while - but even those kind of thefts can be acceptable claims from what I understand - I have even heard of a rigger being dropped overboard and was covered by insurance ( would have to be worth paying deductible of course)

 

[TunaDon]

On the pedestals I used 1 hex bolt and filled the hex with solder.

 

[NootkaSounder]

Wolf were did you get the bolts from?

 

[Gear'n'beer!]

On the pedestals I used 1 hex bolt and filled the hex with solder.

Oh man, I like that one. Allen head cap screws filled with solder. Mind you I guess vice grips can get around that but it would certainly slow thieves down. I just bolt my swivel bases through the hull and nylock/double nut the rigger to swivel base.

 

[StriperCheif]

Oh man, I like that one. Allen head cap screws filled with solder. Mind you I guess vice grips can get around that but it would certainly slow thieves down. I just bolt my swivel bases through the hull and nylock/double nut the rigger to swivel base.

I use the nylocks as well on the bases as they can turn the bolt all day and they aren't coming apart with out a wrench on the nut underneath. Mine are inside under the gunwales and real hard to get to. I always take my riggers off and lock them up.

 

[wolf]

YES thats them hex/allen Key thats what i meant and nylocks you can get them at trotac when you do bolt the pedestals down DO NOT over tighten buddy found out the hard way just make them tight....what i did for insurance purposes I took pics of all my mods and locks on the things they told me, of my whole boat that way they cant say boo about it as ive done my due diligence

 

[TunaDon]

Just need to countersink 1 bolt hex head so can't get visegrip on it. Can use on each end of swivel then fill with solder. Still use scotty lock on the long bolt have not thought of better way yet.

 

[SpringVelocity]

These are some examples of some security screws in product development used years ago .Application was self contained with solar power led lights for docks piers and offshore CCG/USCG platforms... You know those things you see at night blinking LOL that warn of hazards...Yes we don't want people screwing around with them...Never used this company but some examples of different head configurations...http://www.brycefastener.com/security/theft-proof-products.cfm

Hex pins are by far most common... I think combine with something like these with the nylock, and one scotty lock on each. I would feel OK at the marina.... If you look at many transit shelters etc stops they all have some type of these bolts.... But if someone wants something they are going to get it....

 

[fshnfnatic]

Thanks for that link,SpringVelocity.Those pentagram nuts look like a good idea.Fixin' to get a pair of new electrics this
year,so this thread really interests me.

 

[Gear'n'beer!]

3/8 NC x6 ss bolts with nylocks and lock nuts after that. Gonna be a lot of work to remove those for your average thief. I also have nuts pinned but I think it's overkill for most guys

 

[jaymasta]

I used a heavy duty chain and fed it through each main spool and then through my steering bar. Not ideal as all you needed were heavy duty bolt cutters to cut the chain and then remove them as normal, but all you have to do is make it harder then the weakest boat at the marina. It also helps that my boat is old and ugly, the down-riggers are old faded and look worn. It also costs a fraction of the cost of other methods, but does give some level of security.

 

[Fish Assassin]