X-10 Equipment
My house is wired for X-10. Sometimes, after a day of kayaking, I do not feel like unloading the yaks.
So, I slip one of these portable motion detectors on top of my roof.
http://www.x10.com/security/x10_dm10a.htm
Anything moves on the roof, an internal bell http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_sc546.htm
goes off and some various lights turn on
http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_pr511.htm
http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_lm465.htm
Don’t be deterred by the high prices. You can always find a discount on nearly everything there. Here is a bundle that includes everything that you need to do the above for less than any one of the products listed for: http://www.x10.com/automation/ha_deal_of_day.htm
Don’t go to this site
Unless you want to see about 5 pop ups before you leave!
Good locking system
A system you can use is to put one of those “Clubs” ( the auto steering wheel lock) tighten across the cockpit with the cable lasso’s on the bow and stern. Then thread through your rack. I don’t think the reward they offer on the Club is good for kayaks???
Dual systems is a good approach
Most thieves are prepared to deal with only one type of security system, be it cable lassos w/ padlock, U-lock or the Club. They will go on to easier prey if they see more than one locking device.
Generally they can’t be bothered with the time to deal with two security measures or the burden of carrying the tools to break more than one device.
didn’t see a one
seems my AOL must block them.
The club sounds…
interesting, please explain how you do this, I might give it a try.
@ said:
Go to Home Depot & get a…
KRYPTONITE cable lock. Only $12!! They are 5’ long, so you can wrap them right around your rack. They also have a built in combination lock (no keys to loose & no extra cost in buying a lock).Paddle Easy,
Coffee
Um…5’ long? Slide the boat forward or back and it’s out of the loop. You need at least two loops, connected to each other or the crossbars (or both) and tight enough so that the boat can’t be moved forward or aft to free up one end of the boat. This is something that must be tested in place, and experimented with to find the right cable length. I thought about this and the permutations of securing two kayaks, and wound up buying a swaging tool (no, not a swagging tool), a bunch of vinyl covered cable, and some ferrules to make custom length cables so that I can secure one or both of our kayaks to the kayak rack AND factory rack, AND each other.
I can think of a half-dozen ways to steal my own boats, even securely locked to each other and the rack. I am only trying to slow down a thief, and help someone notice that maybe my boat is being stolen.
Ironically, cheap plastic boats with scuppers are the easiest to secure! The high-end expensive kayaks are the ones that are the hardest to lock up.
I read the comment about The Club (Steering Wheel Lock) and the only use I could think of for kayak theft prevention (other than hitting a thief over the head with it) was something spanning the cockpit coaming (long-ways) as a security bar to run a cable under. Not going to be much help, IMHO. If you already own one, I guess that would be a use for it, but you would have to leave the cockpit cover off, and risk having a small, heavy swimming pool locked to the roof of your vehicle, after a rainy night. Also, if you are using The Club to prevent your kayak being stolen, maybe a thief would just take the whole car?
Also, I wanted to use something that I could use with my cockpit covers in place, and could be used while going down the road, because the places where my boat is most likely to be stolen may be rest areas, random parking lots, and isolated spots along the highway, and who wants to have to remember to lock up their boat every time they get out of the car?
There is also a cable system that has a big ball that is closed inside the vehicle (the cable is run through the weather stripping on the top of the door), so the ball can’t be pulled out when the door is closed. I personally don’t care for that system, because I don’t want to risk messing up my car doors.
No system is perfect. I opted for simple, with the good combo padlocks that I already own (hefty MasterLock brass combo locks that nobody is going to cut - they will cut the cable instead).
BTW, my cables and locks can be easily stowed inside a hatch and carried for a day paddle, so I can bring them along and lock up my boats to a tree or similar solid object while I am doing a vehicle shuttle.
I did like the rabid Chihuahua in the cockpit option, but you still have to feed them and take them for walks. A chupacabras would be even better, but we don’t have them where I live.
Happy trails,
Chris C.
I’d be finishing up paddling but there are high winds and tornado watches. So I’m killing time in camp. Here’s what we use, the lasso. We often don’t lock up. But this is how we do it.
@TeiMac said:
rabid Chihuahuas
– Last Updated: Apr-16-04 8:39 AM EST –
TM, where you been? I’ve missed your misadventures.
Pulling a 2004 thread from 14 years ago. Hume ok.
@Overstreet said:
I’d be finishing up paddling but there are high winds and tornado watches. So I’m killing time in camp. Here’s what we use, the lasso. We often don’t lock up. But this is how we do it.
What I use also.
String, I was laid up for most of 2017, torn Piriformis. Finally back to work, up and about and training for a short jaunt. From Amicalola GA to Franklin NC with my eldest child and his beagle. if you are familiar with the Piriformis you will understand why kayaking is out for a while. Sitting is not something I’m comfortable with but luckily my job requires me to stand for 8 to 9 hours a day.
I have been dealing with that same muscle, I think. I’ll ask my PT.
When it spasms, I can barely walk.
Good to hear from you and I hope you get past the problem soon.
@string said:
@TeiMac said:
rabid Chihuahuas
– Last Updated: Apr-16-04 8:39 AM EST –TM, where you been? I’ve missed your misadventures.
Recuperating from a torn Piriformis
TM, you are supposed to hike with your feet, not your face!
Heading to Georgia in less than 3 weeks for the start of the Appalachian Trail
How much do you intend to walk?