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I use McGard propeller locks on all my props and have been very happy with them. They provide a neat and clean installation and I believe offer a some protection against an amateur thief looking for easy opportunity. They're not absolute protection though. After studying the product when I first purchased and installed one, I believe given a little time a few specific tools, I could remove one fairly easily without the required keyed adapter.
Thanks JCW. I am a firm believer in "Where there is a will there is a way" when it comes to locks. I also believe that most thieves seek the easy targets in the cover of darkness.
I am most interested in a solid deterrent that will hopefully cause the bad guys to find an easier target.
I never leave any electronics on my unattended boat and I never lock the hatches for fear they will do more damage if they are locked. Removing a nice SS prop would be the best insurance but a nuisance for sure.
I keep my Outrage 18 at a small storage facility and my boat is under a cover, but open and accessable to anyone who rents one of the lockable storage units there. There is a code required to access the facility. The owner says he is careful who he rents to and has never had a problem.
I don't keep anything valuable on the boat and keep a canvas cover cinched down over it. I have a coupling lock, a 5/8" cable through the wheel and frame, and a prop lock.
Every since I had two 225's removed off the transom WHILE the boat was in the water, I dont discount the ability of a motivated thief. At least next time they'll also have to deal with motor mounting bolt locks as well.
We live in a very rural area and the wife drives a Toyota Rav4 with spare tire mounted outside on the rear door. The creeps took the tire one night right from our driveway and my boat was sitting right along side of her car.
My idea is to make them have to work for what they get.