Intruder Alarm Suggestions

J

Joan and Jim

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2015
Messages
79
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT3119B717
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Dinghy "Tiny Bubbles"
Vessel Name
Bubbles
MMSI Number
316034616
I am planning to close the barn door after the horse has fled. I had a break-in of my 2011 R29. It seems they somehow picked the lock on the door. Can anyone suggest a suitable alarm system to, hopefully, dissuade future misfortunes of this type? Any ideas on the best place to mount the system to keep it as much as possible out of the way would be appreciated. Thanks and regards, Jim.
 
Sorry to read about your boat intruder. We've never had a boat alarm or deterrent system but I've heard and seen some. Recently I noticed a boat that had lights come on from a movement sensor. Obviously this would light up a boat from the darkness that thieves thrive on and could act as a cost effective deterrent option. Making sure ones overhead hatch handles are in the lock position and windows catches are secured in a locked position is helpful, something I'm lax at doing. Lastly we always pull our drapes closed and install the inside cockpit door and window cover to keep folks from knowing what or who is inside of the boat.
 
At home, we have SimpliSafe. It costs $25 a month. It''s a DIY program. It''s wireless. We have door sensors, smoke sensors, water sensors, and breaking glass sensors. Anything amiss is then immediately sent to our cell phones and dispatch if warranted. When we got Emmy Lou, I put a sensor at the door and the hatches, plus water and smoke sensors. We cruise with three small dogs. When we leave them aboard alone, it is comforting to know everything is OK (or not). The keypad is visible from the cockpit door so that''s an added deterrent. We also have a small warning sticker on the door. It works for us very well. http://www.simplisafe.com.

Stu
 
Kismet makes a good point regarding being sure the overhead hatch handles are locked. Without the lock set the hatch is easy to open from outside. My concern has been that the locks are not very positive and only one handle per hatch has a lock. To overcome these limitations I made a security bar to positively lock both handles. Click on an image to enlarge.

 
Has anyone investigated a way to lock the cockpit lockers and cockpit engine hatch on your 29?
 
Hi Jim,

You may want to check out Siren Marine. This is a relatively new company that provides remote monitoring for a number of things like security, bilge, battery level, anchor, temperature and geo-fence. I believe they use a cellular connection with a annual subscription for monitoring once equipment is in place based on your needs.

http://sirenmarine.com

Bob P.
 
Rackline,

Lockable pull latches could be used on the cockpit latches - I assume they're available with the same footprint as what is currently used on the boat. For the engine hatch a second switch could be added in side the cabin to disable the external switch. I haven't done this - just thinking out loud.

https://www.southco.com/en-us/m1-fp/m1-44-8

Osprey, I like the security bar!

Eric
 
I have the first generation Siren Marine Pixie installed in my R27. I currently have it monitoring for high bilge level, battery voltage, shore power status, and GPS based geo-fence. Temp monitor on the first gen is weak, it sees the internal case temperature which is quite a bit warmer than ambient. It has a built in back up battery so if someone cuts the boat battery cable it will still work. The first gen models are out of production, Siren is introducing their second gen very soon and have started showing it at boat shows.

Bob is correct, they are cellular based. The first gen uses simple text messaging. You configure and issue commands as text messages and it sends alerts and status as text messages. The second gen will be more advanced with 4G wireless and web/app interfaces.

They have general purpose configurable inputs, a spare input could be used for intrusion detection via door switches, motion detectors, mat pressure switches, etc. They also have relay outputs and could switch on lights or a horn/alarm if triggered.

Howard
 
Thanks Eric. Those look like they may be more like the factory ones than what I found by made by Perko. I'll have to get on the boat and see if they will fit the existing holes.

Osprey, where is your online store so I can order your hatch bar locks?
 
Thanks to Richard at Ranger Tugs for connecting me with Gem Products, the manufacturer of the compression latches on my 2009 Ranger 29. Gem has only a few of these locking compression latches available to replace the factory units for the engine and side lockers. They aren't on the website. This link shows the non locking latch.http://www.gemlux.com/catalog/latch-liftturn/1264-2. Call Jerry Gutzke at Gem to order. I told Gerry I'd share this and he said to mention "The Hull Truth" and you'll get a 35% discount off the list price. In case you are wondering, I have no financial interest or connection with Gem Products.
 
I know this is an older subject but I recently had my C28 broken into. Fortunately nothing was stolen. I Think it was just some curious kids. They pried the port forward deck hatch open and the locking latch separated. The interior latch that the bar attaches to was laying on the Vberth. The exterior latch was still in place and had not been turned. I mention this in reference to the post about making a latch bar. It would not have helped in this situation. I'm looking for a system with motion sensor, door/hatch/deck sensors, lights, siren, camera and guard dog.
 
Rackline, on April 12/17, suggested checking out GEM locking compression latches. I am interested in knowing if the locking mechanism gets gummed up by grit getting into it. Any insight into peoples' experiences with these would be most appreciated.
 
Look into boat command. Very reasonably priced and lots of functions
 
So I recently got a different boat. The dealer, Port Boathouse, has agreed to install an intruder alarm and is waiting for me to select one. (I never did put one in my other boat as I could not make a decision.) I want to keep it simple. I do not want to subscribe to a monitoring service. All I want (and I am open to suggestions to the contrary) is a device that will make loud noise and maybe turn on lights to scare away thieves. Maybe it can include something that will call my cell phone. I do not think that I need any more bells and whistles. Maybe today they all come with bells and whistles but can be set up only to use the functions the owner wants (For example, I probably use only 10% of what my cell phone can do.) I would like it to be wireless. Suggestions?
 
This is a follow-up to my post from Mar 7; I purchased the Aqualarm Wireless Boat Security System on Amazon for about $200. It comes with a couple of door sensors and a motion sensor. I put the two door sensors on the two cockpit hatches and bought another for the cabin door. I mounted the motion sensor in the cabin facing forward. It works well but the siren/alarm isn't that loud. Its mainly a deterrent to a burglar vs alerting someone nearby. I ordered the outdoor siren from Aqualarm but it was way too big to mount on the boat. I think it would be easy enough to install a more suitable one.
 
Here is the earlier thread.
 
Why not use the ships horn already installed ? It would surely be loud enough !
Just my two cents worth. Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top