Gas Thieves In Baxter Area Last Week...

[WWM]

I left a hose on the dock last week after Labor Day weekend and found this when I got down to my boat Sunday afternoon. I was lucky since I left 2 spinning reels up front on the deck and they didn't get touched... Everything else on the dock was untouched.

Has anyone ever used a fitting and some clamps to repair the gas line that they cut? Or will I have to replace the whole thing?...

[fishinwrench]

Doesn't appear to be the work of someone who has done it regularly....or has plans to do it again.

If your supply hose is still long enough then yes you can just replace the quick-connect fitting. Buy two and always carry a spare because they fail (develop leaks or break) frequently.

[Bill Babler]

This is just getting out of hand from Kimblerling City to Shell Knob. Time for them to get caught again for the umpteenth time.

No structural damage however. At least you didn't get your boat hull drilled as was happening a few years ago.

It will only get worse as more and more people go home and close up for the Summer. They will get braver. Best put those boats in storage under lock and key, until Spring, If your done for the year.

[Old plug]

These guys here on LOZ that steel gas have it down to production like skills. They pumped 80 gals out of my neighbors boat about a month ago. Dock thieves are good at it and it seems getting well equipped. Worst I ever seen was 2 -150 Mercs and a 25 hp Johnson taken off a dock at Holiday landing on Lake Wappapelo one night and it was lit. There were people camped close. It still amazes me how they must have done that. Around here somebody must surely have a big boat that looks like a tanker truck somewhere. A guy st my local lodge has a 35 ft cruiser snd had just filled it for the start of the boating season and they drained it dry.

Bill. A lot of dock owners around here are putting in security cameras. Not sure how well that will really work.

[Bill Babler]

It sure won't hurt. Got to be there to watch them. They had a deal on the Today Show, a few months ago and were speaking to a thief. He said as soon as he saw a sign that said Security Camera in use or Bad Dog, he usually robbed that place, cause he knew it was a lie if they advertised it. If you put them up be unconspicuious about it. He also said there is a real good market for stolen security camera's. They are really easy to steal and easy to sell, if they are not in a protective housing, that is at least lag bolted to the structure.

[Old plug]

I agree with that Bill. I know some that put up security signs only.

[Bill Babler]

Plug, if your done with her for the Winter, you might also pop that SS prop off. Just Sayin.

[Old plug]

I do not have a SS prop. I got a old guys rig. Nothing fancy 18 1/2 ft v with a 115 on it.

Bill i imagine you already know this but some of the other will find it hard to believe. Here on LOZ most people who own these big cruisers and cigarette boat only insure them for 5 to 6 moths a year. Rest of the year many are sitting in a dock uninsured. In the early spring I often see twin engine boats sitting in docks missing very expensive props. Things get stolen, snow turns over or crushes docks. These people are nuts.,

[Feathers and Fins]

Cameras are a big waste of time and money, We had a crew working the intercostal waterway and all they did was put tape over their boat numbers pull in range of a dock after watching it a few nights and took paint ball guns out shooting the cameras late at night, They would take the gas, electronics, transducers, basically everything. When they finally got caught the officers said it only took them 5 minutes to strip the boat. Four man team and had it to a science.

The docks that didn't get touched all were chain link fence around them with a swing door or Props removed from the boats with a chain and padlock on motor, they ( the thieves ) wanted fast and easy targets and any sign of true preventative measures moved them on.

[2 in a boat]

Plug, if your done with her for the Winter, you might also pop that SS prop off. Just Sayin.

I have a very nice SS prop that when my boat is on the lift shines right out onto the open lake, you can see it 1/4 mile away, makes me nervous. Is there some way to replace the regular nut with some type of keyed nut? Like you see on a lug nut on high dollar chrome wheels? I'm not sure I want to take it on and off every time we come home as I will fish as long as the water isn't freezing in the eyelets. lol I know, wuss.