Thousands of watercraft and boats are stolen every year, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in lost property. What steps can you take to ensure you don’t fall victim to criminals? There are a few security measures to implement and equipment to consider utilizing when it comes to protecting your watercraft or boat from theft.
Quick Links:
- How Common is Watercraft and Boat Theft?
- 5 Ways to Prevent Jet Ski and Boat Theft
- Experience Asset Tracking with Rastrac!
How Common is Watercraft and Boat Theft?
The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database revealed that there were a total of 4,240 watercraft thefts in 2019. Most thefts occurred during the months of July (543), June (517), and May (483); December logged the fewest thefts with 205.
The top five states for thefts – in descending – order were:
- Florida
- California
- Texas
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
The top five manufacturers for watercraft thefts in descending order were:
- Yamaha
- Sea-Doo
- Bombardier Corp
- Kawasaki
- Tracker Marine
There were approximately 1,000 personal watercraft stolen during this reporting period with only a 33% recovery rate.
5 Ways to Prevent Jet Ski and Boat Theft
When it comes to preventing Jet Ski and boat theft, there are some steps to follow in order to ensure your property is protected, including:
Insurance Coverage
Insurance is always a good place to start, no matter the risk your watercraft or boat faces in terms of theft. Just in case the thieves get away with your watercraft, and you are left with no way to recover your property – personal watercraft insurance can cover your loss.
Shop around to determine the best insurance for your needs especially when you start adding modifications to your watercraft or boat. Make sure they are covered!
Boat Locks
There are many options available to you when deciding on a boat lock, including:
- Hoop Lock: Simple, inexpensive, easily available, but potentially less effective than other options. Sometimes, determined thieves can cut or pry one of these locks off your trailer given enough time.
- Coupler Clasp Lock: There are numerous styles and options to choose from to suit your trailer size. The theme with these style locks is indifference to standard cutting and prying. As with most everything, you get what you pay for, so the beefier the better!
- Wheel Lock: This type of lock disables a wheel from rolling; these locks are effective, but not as convenient to install as a hitch lock due to size and complexity. That goes both ways, though, and can deter thieves from tampering with your trailer when they see a bulky wheel lock.
- Marina/Boat Lift Lock: Personal watercraft and boats are prime targets in marinas and home boat docks because of their small size and ease of towing behind another vessel. Be sure your marina or boat lift has a locking feature that restricts access to your property and eliminate the chances of your watercraft being towed without your consent.
- Bicycle-style Cable Locks: These are an option to secure your boat or watercraft to the dock or lift, but the ever-present issue is how easy they are to cut. Be aware the draped cable can rub against the deck and hull causing damage to the paint or gel coat, so choose the attachment point wisely.
Lanyards
If your personal watercraft has a built-in anti-theft device, by all means, use this as the first line of defense! For example, modern Yamaha WaveRunners use a fob to electronically disable or grant access, and the new FX series uses a digital passcode for even more convenience. SeaDoo and Kawasaki jet skis utilize a lanyard system that links each unique lanyard key to the craft.
Both systems are straight from the manufacturer and should be utilized. If your model or manufacturer does not include an electronic lock-out be sure to store your lanyard separate from your personal watercraft.
Trailers
Whether transporting your watercraft or boat to the dealership or to a distant vacation getaway, always secure the trailer to your vehicle with a trailer tongue pin lock.
It’s recommended that you purchase the thickest and tightest fitting lock to make it as difficult as possible to get bolt cutters around the lock. Don’t neglect a hitch receiver pin lock too, as an unlocked hitch can slide right out while still attached to your trailer.
GPS Asset Tracking
GPS asset tracking can be a huge advantage for protecting your watercraft or boat. Some GPS trackers notify you if your item is being moved; they also can aid in recovery if your trailer or watercraft or boat does get stolen.
There are two power types: battery and wired. The benefit of battery-operated GPS trackers is no need to alter the wiring on your personal watercraft. The obvious downside is that the unit’s battery is not limitless and will need to be swapped out or charged manually.
That’s where the wired GPS tracker comes into play. You do have to tap into the 12V battery power system, but these trackers give you the peace of mind that they will always be powered - and remain powered, that is, as long as you use your watercraft or boat often enough that the battery is charged periodically.
Experience Asset Tracking with Rastrac!
Leveraging top-of-the-line GPS asset tracking systems can help you streamline your asset management tasks – saving time and money while improving asset utilization. Having easy access to telematics data from a GPS tracking device gives you better control of your company’s high-value assets.
At Rastrac, we offer an array of services and tools to meet the needs of customers in numerous industries. Whether you need to track trailers in the oil and gas industry, heavy equipment rentals, or the current location of maintenance/service vehicles, there’s a specialized Rastrac solution that can help!
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