Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine October 2017

Above: The dinghy chained and locked to our yacht
Right: A chain noose for the outboard
— Continued from previous page
High-tensile G4 galvanized chain may be used for this purpose, but we prefer the
smooth, clean non-marring properties of stainless steel. Eight-mm stainless chain,
although not quite as impressive as the more formidable looking 10mm, will do nicely.
Chains smaller than 8mm, in our view, are too easily cut.
The dock end of the chain is secured with a robust, U-shaped high-security
bicycle lock with a programmable four-digit combination. We prefer a combination
lock, as keys can be lost or forgotten. Our bike lock takes less space on a dock cleat
than a rope painter, and the long, 20cm lock hasp can easily fit over a large dock
timber if there aren’t any dock cleats at all. Modern U-style keyed bike locks available
in the Caribbean now feature sophisticated, double side-ground keys. Our
combo bike lock is impressively well made and we oil it regularly; it’s served us well
for nine years.
How can such a large bike lock fit through the end of a chain? We have fastened a
heavy stainless shackle onto each end of our dinghy chain. This allows the chain to
accommodate the large 12mm-thick hasp of our heavy lock. We’ve chosen the largest
stainless steel shackle whose pin just fits through each end of our chain. After
tightly installing the shackle pins in a vice, using permanent thread-locking compound
and a large wrench, the flat knobs on the pins were sawed off and the pin
ends peened over with a hammer to frustrate any attempt at shackle removal.
Remember, thieves usually only really want your motor, so why not invest in a
quality, well thought-out locking device to protect the outboard? The very weakest
link in dinghy security can often be the outboard engine padlock. Padlocks are
often not as strong as one would hope, and so-called “hardened” hasps have often
been proven to be underperformers when attacked with simple tools. In saltwater
use, padlocks will quickly rust and jam if not oiled regularly. Simply locking both
outboard motor clamp handles together seems optimistic at best, especially if those
clamp handles are plastic. We have purchased a heavy-gauge stainless steel tube
with a high-security internal key lock inside the end cap. This steel tube completely
covers both motor-clamp handles, affording excellent protection against
outboard removal — and also becomes the strongest attachment point for the chain
on the dinghy.
What about securing the dinghy end of our chain? Since padlocks can be the weakest
point of any security tether, we’ve eliminated one lock. That large chain shackle
allowed us to form a steel chain slip-noose or loop at one end, which then fits over
the outboard motor’s steel locking cylinder. No padlock required!
Multi-strand, braided steel cables are often touted by those who have them as
tougher to cut than chain, but we’re still confident that a 10-mm stainless chain
is a great way to help keep our dinghy and outboard motor safe. We once met a
new cruiser who had a thin security cable on his shiny new Yamaha 15. He said,
“I don’t need chain; cable is good enough. Besides, have you ever had your outboard
stolen?”
“No,” I smiled back, while pointing at our heavy chain! There are always exceptions
of course, but it’s our view that most casual, opportunistic dinghy thieves rarely
carry sophisticated tools such as hydraulic bolt cutters, angle grinders, cryogenic
spray or sledge hammers. A friend bought some 8mm stainless steel dinghy security
chain in Guadeloupe this season. We watched intently while the sturdy young chandlery
employee struggled to cut the chain with a 120cm long-handled bolt cutter. He
cut each half of one link, taking three tries on each side, virtually falling to the concrete
floor. Tough stuff indeed! Planning to cut a 10mm stainless chain quickly and
stealthily with a machete or standard hardware store bolt cutter? Good luck with
that!
We’ve now tethered our outboard’s fuel hose as well; someone twice tried to steal
that, too! For the same reason, our dinghy is empty. No hand-operated bilge pumps,
tube repair kits, air pumps, flashlights, sandals, or portable running lights; just a
scoop bailer, heaving line and bug repellant. Young kids often like to climb in and
out of beached or docked dinghies to play. Loose gear walks away!
We know that our integrated chain security system has already saved our dinghy
from theft multiple times in the past nine years of full-time cruising. Every sailor
knows that replacing a stolen dinghy costs much more than time, money, and inconvenience,
especially when you’re anchored out. Dinghy’s gone walkabout? How will
you get to shore?
Our continuing motto is “Don’t be the low hanging fruit!”
OCTOBER 2017 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 25