How to lock your boat and trailer
Boats and especially outboard engines are often prone to theft, but fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep your property safe. Here we review some of the product options available at Biltema that make it harder for thieves to make off with your belongings.
Don’t forget!
It is important to check if the trailer lock you are considering buying is approved by the insurance company. Insurance companies often place requirements on the security level of any lock.
Boat trailer locks
Many boats are kept on boat trailers all year round, as they can be launched from any location depending on the wind and weather, also many people store their dinghies at their holiday home or a campsite, where they are also kept on boat trailers or launching trolleys. Here are three good ways to make sure your trailer cannot be moved by potential thieves.
- A hitch lock on the coupling.
- A wheel lock on the trailer.
- Locking the trailer to another object.
A hitch lock on the trailer coupling
A strong quality trailer lock - A strong hitch lock on the trailer coupling is good protection against theft – this prevents a thief connecting a vehicle to the trailer and towing it away.
The trailer can also be locked to a vehicle’s tow bar - A good security option if, for example, the trailer is left parked at the harbour while you are out sailing. Note the stainless steel padlock that resists salt and other damage from either driving or the elements.
It is important to check if the padlock you are considering buying is approved by the insurance company. Insurance companies often place requirements on the security level of any lock.
Watch the video to see how to fit the trailer lock to a boat trailer or the well-used trailer that you use to transport items to the recycling centre.
Wheel locks
Many insurance companies require that a boat trailer stored outdoors has locking devices that secure both a wheel and the coupling. This model is a great choice, as it locks the wheel in the rolling direction and at the same time makes it impossible for thieves to remove the wheel by securing the bolts. The model is very easy and quick to attach and detach and can be used for virtually all common wheel sizes.
Extra security - Some insurance policies require that there are two locking devices on the trailer. If you have a wheel and tow bar lock, this is one way to meet the requirements.
Locking wire and padlock
This is probably the most universal way to secure your belongings. The wire, which is available in several different lengths, is made from stainless steel and coated with a polyester sleeve to give it the appearance of normal rope. It can be used for almost anything that needs to be locked in place - here are a few ideas:
- Securing a dinghy or boat to a mooring bollard or jetty.
- Outboard motors – on a boat or if stored in a shed.
- Bicycles taken onboard larger boats.
- The rubber dinghy or tender that is usually just left tied up or on the water.
- Locking a dinghy to a boat trailer.
Locking wire - This stainless steel wire is 10 mm thick and coated with a 24-plait polyester sleeve – a great solution for everything that needs to be locked in place, and not just on a boat. Note the sturdy padlock – it is not that easy to break open!
Outboard motors
The smaller boat engines in particular are easy for thieves to get away with, as they can be quickly removed and carried away by one or two people in minutes. The solution may be to fit a lock to the clamps securing the outboard motor so that it cannot be removed from the transom.
Put an engine lock on the outboard motor - Outboard motors are easy to steal. Here, an engine lock is fitted to an outboard motor, which means that the clamps cannot be loosened.
Good advice regarding the locks
All the types of locks tested contain lock cylinders and moving parts. It is therefore a good idea to lubricate the lock cylinders with a low-viscosity spray. If the lock is left on a boat for a long time, it is a good idea to press marine grease into the cylinder in order to prevent the ingress of salt water, and it is also a good idea to lubricate the locking pins/bolts with grease so that they can be re-loosened.
