Tips To Prevent PWC Theft
For a lot of us, our PWCs are one of our most valuable possessions. These marine vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years because they’re easy to use and easy to transport. However, these are the very factors that also make your personal watercraft very appealing to thieves. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to keep your craft safe!
Sky Powersports Lakeland has compiled some tips to help you keep your marine vehicles safe. If you’d like more information or if you’re looking for PWCs for sale in Lakeland, FL, contact our sales department to see our wide selection!
Water Safety
One of the best steps for ensuring your PWC stays safe is to never leave it unattended in the water. However, if that isn’t possible and you need to leave it for any reason, always chain it to the dock or some other object that can’t be moved. Do remember to never leave your lanyard attached to the machine or to a lifejacket that you’re not wearing. Always make sure that you have the lanyard on your person. Some PWC models will actually have added security features, like a digitally encoded lanyard, electronic lock, or removable magnetic key. If you have any of these safety features on your PWC, we highly recommend using them.
Trailer Safety
When you’re hauling your PWC in a trailer, invest in a heavy-duty, drill-proof lock. These aren’t cheap but they can help prevent theft. There are many different types of locks to consider when you want to keep your PWC secure in its trailer. One option is a coupler latch lock, which lets you secure the coupler onto the ball when you attach it to your tow vehicle. Some other locks you might like are receiver locks, bow-pin locks and anti-theft wheel locks. If you need to leave your setup unattended, you can remove a trailer tire to prevent theft. You can also use a strong cable lock to secure the PWC to the trailer.
When you’re on the road with your PWC, you might have to stop overnight at a hotel. You’ll have to take some extra safety precautions to avoid theft. Make sure you park in a well-lit and safe location that has security cameras. If you’re travelling with someone else in another vehicle, ask them to park it close behind your trailer. If permitted, you can chain it to a large object nearby. We suggest investing in a motion-sensor alarm for the tow vehicle if it doesn’t already have one. Your tow vehicle should always be locked with the craft covered.
Storage Safety
When you have to store your PWC, use your best judgement to decide where and how. The best option would be to store it somewhere safe and sound, like your garage, That isn’t always an option. Make sure you keep your PWC in a place where it’s away from prying eyes, like positioned behind a locked gate. If you don’t have either of these options available, do your best to make it inaccessible by parking your car directly in front of it.
When storing it outside in the yard or driveway, install an anti-theft wheel lock for your trailer. Turn the trailer so the hitch is no longer accessible. If you’re going to be storing your PWC for a long time, remove the wheels from the trailer and don’t forget to install your coupler lock. A locking lug nut is a great way to prevent a thief from placing a wheel on the trailer. Be sure to keep your spare tire stored well out of sight.
Additional Tips
There are some additional steps you can take to increase security. Always keep detailed photos of your marine craft just in case something does happen to it. Take photographs or video of the Hull Identification Number (HIN), the engine compartment, your PWC trailer, and any other identifying features. You want to make it extremely challenging to steal your PWC so anything that draws attention to it or requires too much effort will deter thieves. You can invest in a wheel lock for your trailer like parking enforcement officers use to prevent it from being moved.
We hope these tips will help you keep your marine vehicle safe and secure! For more tips or to check out quality PWCs for sale, get in touch with us at Sky Powersports Lakeland and we’ll show you what we have in stock. We’re also the leading PWC dealer for our clients from Tampa and Orlando!