How best to secure/lock kicker motor on boat??

Riverteeth · 01-19-2009, 07:43 AM

Folks,

A question for you on "how you do it". What's the best way to secure your kicker motor to the boat, both from a theft standpoint and also just to make sure it doesn't come off while going down the road?

Do the clamp/motor locks work? This is the kind that it a two piece bar which surrounds the clamps (so they can't be seen/accessed).

Do people like to use cables?

Any other ideas out there?

Two Ducks · 01-19-2009, 08:22 AM

Bolt it on is the best way. Neither of those will keep your motor bolts tight to the transom. Good luck.

Softball Dad · 01-19-2009, 09:02 AM

I have been really happy with the Stazo Smartlock, Google it.

fishkisser · 01-19-2009, 12:08 PM

Bolt it on and weld the nuts to the bolts ...
There has been more than 1 incidence of the bolts being cut off with a battery powered sawzall...

Waterfish · 01-19-2009, 08:54 PM

I am sure this isn't the very best way, but you can buy this lock at Sportscraft Marina in Oregon City. The black pipe goes over the nuts that hold the engine to the boat. There is a padlock inside of the pipe.

Highmark · 01-21-2009, 03:01 AM

Question. are the screw handles completely covered. if not, all they need do, is drill or punch the pin's out and it's gone. I tig welded my motor to the bracket. it's hard for them to cut a weld, and 4 of them...

HM

Mooch · 01-21-2009, 09:00 AM

All a lock is going to do is keep the honest guys from stealing your engine. If a methhead wants your engine,they'll find a way to get it off the boat.

Generally,some kind of lock will make them look for an easier target though.

Waterfish · 01-21-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highmark

Question. are the screw handles completely covered. if not, all they need do, is drill or punch the pin's out and it's gone. I tig welded my motor to the bracket. it's hard for them to cut a weld, and 4 of them...

HM

Yes, the screw handles are completely inside of the steel pipe. Even the padlock is inside of the pipe (see the lock housing that is welded to the bottom of the pipe).

Two Ducks · 01-21-2009, 09:35 AM

With that lock system all they have to do is put a crow bar under the lock and pry it off.

Softball Dad · 01-21-2009, 11:12 AM

Here is a pretty good review on the different kinds of boat motor locks.

http://www.sailorssolutions.com/Body...ewFall2006.pdf

trap50 · 01-21-2009, 04:22 PM

I bolted mine down with a S/S allen head bolt. They are hard to cut and most people don't carry allen wrenches with them. (I hope)

sidewinder · 01-21-2009, 10:20 PM

I run a big cable thru the drain hole in my splash well, and then to the motor. I just look at it as a little extra security. Some crook could get it but they would need a few minuites.

stevo · 01-22-2009, 04:40 AM

I ran SS carriage bolts through my kicker, drill holes carefully so that you are able to tighten the nut very tight, ie the square collar must be fourcully pulled in to the hole in the transom, Then I beat the snot out of the threads showing past the nut, also cut the bolt so only about 1/4" inch remained. Drilled the bolt ends and drove a tapered punch into them, mushrooming the bolts.
When I removed the kicker to paint the inside of the boat, it took a fried and I 45 minutes and some serious grinding to get the bolts out. Made an awful racket.

Johnandhis4x4 · 01-23-2009, 11:29 AM

I have an lock for the twist down "screws" that covers the front of them, it wont stop someone dedicated to stealing the motor, but keep someone with a wandering eye (or hands) from thinking about it.

jfa686 · 01-23-2009, 02:20 PM

just make it a bit harder than the guys moored next to ya

...really if their on a mission to swipe something, they will get something. it just might not be yours

genghis · 01-23-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfa686

just make it a bit harder than the guys moored next to ya

...really if their on a mission to swipe something, they will get something. it just might not be yours

Yeah, its like you don't have to be really fast to outrun a griz ... just faster than whoever you're with out there.

Sea Dobie · 01-23-2009, 09:41 PM

I bolted mine on. Additionally, I added a padlock to the lockdown screws and added a cable w/ padlock to one of my welded on cleats.

hawgspanker · 01-24-2009, 02:13 PM

I lost a 50 horse Honda from a marina lot once. They sawzalled the transom off. If someone wants your motor, they're going to get it, so don't secure it so soundly that you can't get it off to work on it etc. I think a good padlock or commercial outboard lock is enough to deter most thieves.

budsfishin2 · 01-26-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverteeth

Folks,

A question for you on "how you do it". What's the best way to secure your kicker motor to the boat, both from a theft standpoint and also just to make sure it doesn't come off while going down the road?

Do the clamp/motor locks work? This is the kind that it a two piece bar which surrounds the clamps (so they can't be seen/accessed).

Do people like to use cables?

Any other ideas out there?

mine is bolted and i put the clamp lock on,hopeing if you slow them down,they'll move on to easier pickings

shorthair · 01-31-2009, 02:53 PM

The only way I "know" that works is to place the kicker in a locked garage since when they stole mine it was secured with a lock that did not expose the screws or shank. PS they took the lock with them.

dog501 · 02-01-2009, 08:52 AM

They have a sheet metal screw that you have to have a special tool to get it out with. The tool cost about $ 2.oo and the screws are stainless steel. The screws go in flush where you can't cut them off and the tool goes into the screw.

Streamfixer · 02-28-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfa686

just make it a bit harder than the guys moored next to ya

...

Reminds me of the story about the cheechako heading for Alaska. Asked an old sourdough how bad the bears were.

"They're terrible, big, mean, ugly and always hungry"

The kid asks. "So do you carry a gun for safety? And if you do, what caliber do you recommend?"

Old timer says; "I always carry a 22."

Kid: "A 22? Will that stop a bear?"

Old Timer: "Nope, but all I have to do is out run whoever is with me and a 22 in the leg is sure to slow them down....."

Audball · 03-09-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooch

All a lock is going to do is keep the honest guys from stealing your engine....

Not flaming you Mooch, but I've heard a few people say this..... seems to me an honest guy wouldn't steal anything, being honest and all....

RiverJohn · 03-10-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterfish

I am sure this isn't the very best way, but you can buy this lock at Sportscraft Marina in Oregon City. The black pipe goes over the nuts that hold the engine to the boat. There is a padlock inside of the pipe.

Ditto !!

So well made that is you lose the key it will have to be weld cut to get it free.

Love mine !

The guys at Sportcraft are good giys too !

TAF · 03-10-2010, 10:16 AM

On my Kicker I removed the threaded mounting "bolts" that have the handles on them. I then bought stainless bolts with the same thread, I cut the heads off of them so they were just long enough to reach the transome and be flush with my mounting tabs on the motor. I machined 2 flats on the bolts in the area of thread that is exposed between the transom and back of the mounting tab on the kicker. These can be tightened with a open end wrench. If a person wants to steal it they would have to have the right wrench and spend some time trying to figure it out. Also its tough to see whats holding it on as well as benig difficult to reach and turn a wrench on. That AND I have a few hidden welds to remove. I am not sure if it will foil all attempts, but has worked for me.

beavers82 · 04-03-2010, 08:38 PM

Wire a live 220v feed to each bolt. Just remember to disconnect in the morning!

Magnum61 · 04-03-2010, 09:51 PM

Where are these motors getting stolen?! I just bought my first jet boat and looking at getting a kicker.

Never heard of this.

RiverMan · 04-04-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAF

On my Kicker I removed the threaded mounting "bolts" that have the handles on them. I then bought stainless bolts with the same thread, I cut the heads off of them so they were just long enough to reach the transome and be flush with my mounting tabs on the motor. I machined 2 flats on the bolts in the area of thread that is exposed between the transom and back of the mounting tab on the kicker. These can be tightened with a open end wrench. If a person wants to steal it they would have to have the right wrench and spend some time trying to figure it out. Also its tough to see whats holding it on as well as benig difficult to reach and turn a wrench on. That AND I have a few hidden welds to remove. I am not sure if it will foil all attempts, but has worked for me.

Good idea...........

Phil Layer · 04-04-2010, 06:40 AM

I suspect any lock can be broken but I've got the normal lock on mine plus a McGard.

I also put a McGard on my stainless prop.