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well. 3 weeks ago while i wasnt home at the house my boat was burglurarized by some scum bag. He couldnt start the boat so he decided to just give me a hassle and cut the lines on a nice windy night. Well when he cut the lines the boat drifted out into the open bay. the lagoon next to me that sticks out...the owners were outside and they saw the boat floating around by there house out there with no nav. lights on. they went out on there skiff and checked it out(luckily) they tied off there anchor to my boat and went to there house and got there big boat (28 rampage express) and towed mine in. now luckily we knew the owners of this house and they called us up at home and told us what had happened. No harm to the boat (except new dock lines ). I was wondering one day hey! maybe i can lock the lines. i got some chain about a little less that twice the size of the dock rope and locked it to a very thick bolt on the dock and put a key lock on the chain.. now on the boat side i put the chain and locked it to the u bolt i had installed on the bow of the boat and the rear same thing and had u bolts installed dont the transom.. the chains do not affect the action of the boat with the real dock lines and the chains ad more protection during wind storms.. i hope this never happens again.
I can see using the chain for security, but I think that when it comes to storm protection, that it will do more harm than good. You use nylon dock lines partly for the stretch, and if that chain ever comes tight, something is going to give.
only at night, or wen im not at the house i chain it up.. i put that wrap around the chains that you use on the shore power cords.. so it doesnt look to bad.. its only temporary until till they fint the thief who ahs been cutting lines.
its in nj .. we heave a special bond now of our neighbors across and on our lagoon.. if another boat in the area gets cut.. the police are going to stake out in the area .. my boat was the 6th one to be cut 4 out of the 6 were damaged.
I've seen rental boats secured to docks using Master Lock Python adjustable cable locks. To my knowledge, Master Lock offers interchangeable 3/8" cut resistant cables up to 30ft in length.
Python™ Adjustable Locking Cable secures anything within its grasp. It's the only locking cable that is always the right length for your application. This exclusive, patented product holds the flexible steel cable tight at any position for infinite possibilities.
Infinite Locking Positions- The patented lock holds the cable tight at any position.
I would use plastic coated cable 1/4 or thicker. I would go from a U bolt in your dock to the spring cleat and leave it loose. I have seen chain chafe in heavy weather. Just my 2 cents
What do you think, is it time for a motion detection light with alarm in the house? I know I would be seriously thinking about do it! Actually I would do it!
Using a chain or cable will keep someone from setting it adrift, but if someone is able to cut the lines, he/she could just as easily drill a hole in it and sink it or set it on fire.
I would be looking for ways to secure the area or light it up. ASAP.
its in nj .. we heave a special bond now of our neighbors across and on our lagoon.. if another boat in the area gets cut.. the police are going to stake out in the area .. my boat was the 6th one to be cut 4 out of the 6 were damaged.
Yours is the 6th and the cops are waiting for another before they "stake out". I would not have accepted that comment all that graciously if this was my neighborhood.
Sorry about what happened but it's always nice to hear someone helping a fellow boater out even if they do not know them.
I think the lights would be a good investment. I use the armored/plasticized cable to lock a jetski, but the ski is on a float.
I am with the guys that say motion detector light. It is vandalism not just cut lines that you are facing. A chain or cable might just make them do something even more creative to your boat. But they will not hang around once a flood light switches on.
The deer and rabbits in my back yard have learned to ignore ours. They just keep on mowing my grass when it comes on. But I doubt these punks are as smart as my varmits.
locking your dock lines.... dang thiefs 
). I was wondering one day hey! maybe i can lock the lines. i got some chain about a little less that twice the size of the dock rope and locked it to a very thick bolt on the dock and put a key lock on the chain.. now on the boat side i put the chain and locked it to the u bolt i had installed on the bow of the boat and the rear same thing and had u bolts installed dont the transom.. the chains do not affect the action of the boat with the real dock lines and the chains ad more protection during wind storms.. i hope this never happens again. 
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