A characteristic that I love about folks in the paddling community is their overwhelming trust in human nature. They are positive people that seem to identify the best in humanity. I am the same way. I suppose this is why paddlers are my tribe.
However, my family and I live in an old neighbourhood in a big city. Because of this urban proximity, we have had several bicycles stolen. A couple of them were quite expensive. So, while I do see the best in most of society, I am now wired to prepare for the worst. This expands from bicycle security to the security of other family assets, including our precious kayaks. This article is about how to keep your kayak from getting stolen.
To effectively prevent kayak theft, you need more than just a lock, you need a theft deterrence strategy. The broad principles of this strategy should include: 1. Visibility – positioning your kayak in view, 2. Security – Using a locking mechanism that isn’t easily compromised; and 3. Complexity: fastening your kayak tactically, with intention.
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Table of Contents
Keep your kayak safe by storing it in a highly-trafficked location
We place our kayaks at the most risk when we are on the road. Furthermore, the closer we get to water, the higher the risk of theft.
Visibility at the hotel/motel. Do your best to park as close as you can to the front entrance of the building. This is usually where most of the lights, cameras and activity are found. With kayaks attached to your roof racks over night, proximity to the main entrance of the building not only dissuades potential thieves, but it also dissuades potential vandals.
When parking overnight at a motel, many paddlers cover their kayaks with a large canvas painter’s cloth. Again, this serves to dissuade thieves and vandals.
If you return to your hotel late and are unable to secure a parking spot near the front of the building, try to park as close as you can to the front and under the best lighting you can find.
Simply do your best to park your vehicle in the least desirable location for people that might want to make bad decisions with respect to your kayaks.
As a last resort, some kayak owners admit to bringing their kayaks into their hotel rooms with them. This certainly an effective way to prevent kayak theft. However, it is also the one instance when I would not recommend using the main entrance of the building!
Visibility at the shore. In my view, there is more risk to your kayak near the shore. Away from the water, there arguably fewer thieves looking to sneak away with a 12’ boat on their roof. There are a lot of other higher value items to swipe that are less conspicuous and easier to monetize.
Near the shore, intentional thieves know the value of a kayak, as well as how to remove it, transport it and sell it. Near water, thieves prize kayaks.
The principle of visibility applies near the shore, as well. If a kayak is intentionally fastened to something robust, then it is clear to all passers-by whether an owner is unlocking it, or a thief is stealing it.
Some paddlers prefer to locate their kayaks deep in the brush/woods instead. The argument is that the harder it is to see, the less likely it is that it will be spotted and stolen. I believe that intentional thieves know the boat-hiding areas well. A hidden kayak, if located, is the easiest to steal. I prefer to prevent kayak theft by keeping my kayak visible.
Visibility at home. Ok, this is the one place where high kayak visibility is not the optimal strategy. If you have the luxury of storing your kayaks in a garage or basement, this is best. Keep them out of sight if you can. Out of sight, out of mind is a great home-based strategy.
If you don’t have sufficient real estate and need to store your boats outside, then do your best to camouflage or otherwise cover up your boats with tarp – brown rather than bright blue. This isn’t a pretty strategy, but it’s one that keeps attention off your boats and instead on some poor 15-year old’s Specialized Rockhopper (yes, I’m still bitter).
High security locks keep your kayak from being stolen
When we think about securing our kayaks, we often think about which lock to purchase, and nothing more. We look for the one silver bullet that is reasonably secure, convenient and frankly, let’s us show off the cool-looking kayaks that we have riding on our roof.
This is a strategy. It’s just not an effective one.
Almost any lock can be broken. A motivated thief can break any lock you can purchase.
Medium-sized bolt cutters cut locks that are less than 13mm thick. Large bolt cutters cut locks between 13-15mm. While bolt cutters can’t cut locks greater than 16mm in thickness, angle grinders can. So, all a lock really does is buy you time.
Cable locks only provide minimal security.Cable locks keep paddlers from walking off with the wrong kayak. That’s it. On their own, cable locks are not useful as a standalone security fastener. Cable locks do have a use in combination with other locking strategies. We’ll discuss this later. But they provide no security in the face of an intentional thief with bolt cutters. $10-$75.
Stainless steel-reinforced straps. These straps allow you to conveniently attach and lock a kayak to your roof rack with minimal slack. The stainless steel reinforcement implies extra security. In reality, inexpensive bolt cutters can cut these straps in an instant. The value is in the ability of these straps to immobilize your kayak. That’s really it, in my view. $110.
Chain locks have value – particularly if they are thicker than 15mm. The most secure chain locks boast a thick chain surrounded by a sleeve and a small, thick ‘D’ lock. The best ones cannot be compromised by bolt cutters. However, with effort, they can be cut with an angle grinder. Some chain locks are as long as five feet, providing flexibility when securing your kayak to a post or object. Chain locks can be combined with other locks to create a high-security locking mechanism. $60-$250.
Consider this Kryptonite model on Amazon. (This is an affiliate link.)
Folding locks are a less-understood alternative. Folding locks are typically used to secure bicycles. They are made up of a series of metal plates linked together by rivets. When not in use, the metal plates fold tightly together. When open, they give you the flexibility of a chain and the strength of a U-lock. High quality folding locks can’t be compromised by cable cutters. It is possible that they can be cut by an angle grinder. With significant time and effort, it is also possible that they can be compromised at the rivet joint. $85-$250.
High-quality U-locks work really well. If the U-lock is more than 15” thick, it can’t be cut by bolt cutters and can only be compromised by an angle grinder with much ‘very conspicuous’ effort. The benefit of U-locks (or smaller D-locks) is their strength. The downside is their lack of flexibility. They don’t reach very far and sometimes struggle with weird-shaped locking situations. High quality U-locks can be used effectively to prevent kayak theft. $50-$200.
Consider this Kryptonite model on Amazon. (Clearly, I feel strongly about the quality of Kryptonite locks. By the way, this is another affiliate link.)
‘The Club’ steering wheel lock. That’s right. This is the bar that you attach to the steering wheel of your car to deter thieves. They’re strong, but not bulletproof. An angle grinder can eventually cut the bar. Furthermore, a titanium drill bit can bore away the locking mechanism. Nevertheless, as part of a locking strategy, ‘The Club’ can have an unexpected place. $50-$75.
Here is the original ‘Club’ in all its glory on Amazon. (Affiliate link.)
Wheel clamps. Now we’re straying into the land of the truly esoteric. Wheel clamps are attached to the wheels of parked vehicles to keep them from driving away (like when you have too many parking tickets). A very simple, less- expensive clamp like that manufactured by Trimax, is shaped such that it can slip over each end of a touring kayak. The clamps can then be attached by sleeve-covered chain to the roof rack bars. $95 per clamp.
Prevent kayak theft by embracing complexity when locking up your boat
As we discussed above, no lock is perfect. However, a combination of locking strategies can have significant results in keeping your boat safe.
Using the Lasso Kayak Security Cable. The Lasso is a well-known locking system for kayaks (that you can learn more about here). It is simply a cable lock with two loops positioned at each end of the kayak. These two loops are secured by a long cable that runs the length of the kayak and is secured under the roof rack rails.
In the words of Lasso, the lock creates a ‘striking visual deterrent.’ On it’s own it might keep unmotivated thieves from walking away with your boat. However it will not keep intentional thieves from taking five seconds to snip it with cable cutters (and then walking away with your boat). On its own, the Lasso does not prevent kayak theft.
The price of the Lasso system is typically around $70-$80. Check the current price on Amazon. (This is an affiliate link.)
While the Lasso by itself is not an effective security strategy, a combination of the Lasso Kayak Security Cable and another locking mechanism, is in fact a very effective system.
Complex locking strategy #1: The Club, U-lock (or chain) and Lasso. This is a strategy for locking a kayak to the roof rack of your vehicle. 1. Position The Club inside the combing of the cockpit. (Pretend the combing is a steering wheel.) 2. Attach a U-lock or chain lock around The Club and also around the roof rack rail. 3. Attach the Lasso lock to both ends of the kayak and under the roof rack rail. You could get cute and wind the Lasso through the U-lock/chain and ‘Club’ structure. This would increase the complexity quotient.
This locking tactic is slightly easier with a side-mount roof rack.
Furthermore, it can be applied at put-in locations as well by removing the Lasso lock and simply using The Club and a chain lock to attach the kayak to a tree or post.
While not the absolute strongest complex locking strategy, this is nonetheless very good. The U-Lock and ‘The Club’ are both robust, requiring a drill and grinder to compromise. The Lasso, while not strong, provides an added measure of complexity and requires a bolt cutter to break.
Stealing a kayak secured with this locking strategy requires a lot of tools and quite a bit of time.
The total cost of this locking strategy is around $300. If you own a $250 kayak, then you need to consider whether the economics of this locking system make sense. If you own a $3,000 kayak, you need to ask yourself why you are doing anything less.
Complex locking strategy #2: Wheel clamps, Chain locks, D-locks. This complex locking strategy is bordering on overkill. Consider it a fun thought exercise rather than advice. 1. Slide the wheel clamp over the end of the kayak. 2. Attach one end of the chain lock to the wheel clamp. The chain lock needs to be 15mm wide by at least four feet long (if you are paddling a touring kayak). 3. Attach another similar chain lock to the nearest roof rack. 4. Connect the two chain locks with an additional D-lock. 5. Repeat on the other side of the kayak.
Ok, stop snickering! This locking strategy is super-strong and cannot be compromised without intentionally breaking the boat. Yes the chains are a little Jacob-Marley-Christmas-Carol-esque.
Furthermore, the cost to implement it is over $1,000. The economics could make sense if you paddle a $5,000+ Kevlar kayak.
More than anything. this exercise underscores the fact that paddlers can source and/or develop adequate locking solutions for their kayaks, some being more pragmatic than others. It makes sense to consider the cost of the locking strategy vis-à-vis the value of the kayak being protected.
However, it is clear that there is a gap in the market waiting to be filled by a high-quality locking mechanism priced as high as $200-$500.
What else should I do (in case my kayak is stolen?)
Re-etch the Hull Identification Number (HIN) of your kayak. Each kayak comes with a Hull Identification Number. Thieves know this and are quick to scratch it off of recently-stolen kayaks.
If your kayak is stolen and you are successful in tracking it down, you can prove the boat is yours with the HIN. But if it has been scratched out then you can’t. So, think about a place on the kayak where you can etch the number such that it won’t be found by thieves that are looking for it.
Perhaps you could remove the seat, etch the number and replace the seat again.
If you’re really gung ho, you could remove a bulkhead, etch the number onto the hull or deck where the bulkhead sits, then replace the bulkhead.
Or, here’s a fun idea, write the HIN number on a small piece of paper, waterproof the paper with clear nail polish, make a razor-thin cut in a bulkhead, insert the paper, then seal the bulkhead with a thin application of silicon, Lexel, Marine Goop, or whatever waterproof sealant strikes your fancy.
Don’t forget to store the HIN number outside of the kayak as well. Maybe take a selfie with the number as unmitigated proof of ownership.
Remove the kayak hatch covers before entering hotel. Thieves motivated to steal kayaks know how to monetize them. They also know that they can’t sell a boat without hatch covers. Hatch covers of high-end kayaks can run as much as $250 (for all of them). Would-be thieves likely aren’t looking to invest in their stolen goods. Removing the hatch covers could be just enough to motivate a thief to keep walking and prevent another kayak theft.
Insure your kayak. Most standard homeowners insurance covers watercraft and accessories valued under $1,500 and under 26 feet. To make sure your kayak is covered under ‘contents coverage’, make sure you list your kayak on your home inventory and discuss that you require this coverage with your insurance agent.
If you want coverage for a kayak that costs more than $1,500, your insurer usually requires a rider for supplemental coverage. You need to itemize the kayak on a supplemental policy and pay a small additional premium on top of your ‘contents’ coverage.
If your kayak is stolen. First of all, file a report with the local police. This is pretty straightforward in most first world countries that recognize and value the rule of law. If your adventures take you to less stable parts of the world, think carefully about the ramifications of reporting anything. You might end up out of pocket more money than just the value of the stolen kayak.
Monitor Craigslist, Kijiji and other local marketplace sites. When my son’s Specialized bike was stolen, I made a second career out searching classified ads for his bike. Someone violated my boy. I was mad and, quite frankly, wanted revenge, perhaps more than I wanted to actually find the bike. So, if you are unlucky enough to have your boat stolen, go ahead and spend some time monitoring classified ads, but don’t let the hunt take over your life. Furthermore, set a drop-dead date, after which you move on and never look for it again. That’s what I should have done, but didn’t, and now regret.
How to Prevent Kayak Theft – Parting Thoughts.
Keeping your kayak from being stolen is not about simply finding the right lock. Rather, it is about crafting a theft deterrence strategy based on the principles of: Visibility, Security and Complexity. This set of guiding principles helps you put your kayak in the right place and use the strongest materials in the most effective ways to keep your kayak safe.