Bass Blaster. Story about thieves stealing lower units on LOZ

[Sore Thumbs]

http://www.lakeexpo.com/boating/thieves-are-stealing-a-surprising-part-off-boats-at-lake/article_e06a52b4-02b3-11e7-aab5-c776bdd13863.html

[motoman]

That's interesting and aggravating........but, is there no shift rod in the mid-section or at the powerhead on a Merc, that needs to be disconnected to drop the lower unit? (Or you think they just cut that or try and rip it out?)

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Our outboard of a different brand, has the shift-rod disconnect bolt, buried deep in the tangle of wires/hoses/flux capacitors next to the powerhead. Which is a pain to access.:-(

[96 CHAMP]

nothing is safe, people will steal anything, pretty sad

[fishinwrench]

Johnson/Evinrude outboards have a shift pin that has to be disengaged at the powerhead before removing the lower unit.   Mercs and Yamaha's have a splined shift shaft that pulls off clean.

It's foolish to think that this many boats can sit alone all Winter and no thefts will occur. 

 

 

[176champion]

I'm thinking a battery disconnect switch would help prevent some of this... Can't raise the motor is no power.

[96 CHAMP]

12 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Johnson/Evinrude outboards have a shift pin that has to be disengaged at the powerhead before removing the lower unit.   Mercs and Yamaha's have a splined shift shaft that pulls off clean.

It's foolish to think that this many boats can sit alone all Winter and no thefts will occur. 

 

 

As expensive as everything is  it would be a cold day in hell before I left anything up and exposed like that. 

[fishinwrench]

All outboard tilt systems have a manual release valve.  Not being able to tilt it electrically is no big deal. Just loosen a screw and lift it right up.

[96 CHAMP]

Yes sir, and if you are smart you should check that thing and make sure you can use it if ever need be.

[96 CHAMP]

Wrench, what do you expect out of the crappie this spring, haven't been down crappie fishing in a couple of years, need to put some in the skillet and in freezer this year.

[bobby b.]

One can buy a locking bolt (like the vehicle locking lug nuts) for the Yamaha 4 strokes.  Like the lug nuts you replace one of the existing bolts.  I got one after hearing about lower unit thiefs on this forum.