Are there 12V motion detectors that can be coupled to very bright spot
lights? Set the detector to look at the companion way and the spots to
illuminate the cockpit.
BF

wrote in message
ups.com...
I went to my boat today to tie up for any surge from Katrina and found
for the second time that kids have been aboard smoking pot. They do
not steal anything or do any damage but they do leave butts and ashes.
This time one left a T-shirt which could be used to ID them if I was
really interested. The first time I think they got aboard by me
leaving the combo lock unlocked (you have to spin the tumblers and I
forget). This time I think they actually removed the hasp but
carefully replaced the screws when they left. Security at the dock is
minimal and would be difficult to enforce. I do not want to get them
in trouble for the pot smoking and do not really want to get them in
trouble for using my boat while doing no damage. However, they could
get hurt being stoned and stupid so I want them to never come back. I
left two notes for them telling to leave my boat but I do not think
they will see them because they do not turn on any lights. I'll
replace the lock and hasp tomorrow but wonder if anyone else has any
suggestions for a way to warn them without hurting them.

How about liability if they get caught and the law decides to
impound you boat and come after you for knowingly (?) let them
use the boat.

Leanne

wrote in message
ups.com...
I went to my boat today to tie up for any surge from Katrina
and found
for the second time that kids have been aboard smoking pot.
They do
not steal anything or do any damage but they do leave butts
and ashes.
This time one left a T-shirt which could be used to ID them
if I was
really interested. The first time I think they got aboard
by me
leaving the combo lock unlocked (you have to spin the
tumblers and I
forget). This time I think they actually removed the hasp
but
carefully replaced the screws when they left. Security at
the dock is
minimal and would be difficult to enforce. I do not want to
get them
in trouble for the pot smoking and do not really want to get
them in
trouble for using my boat while doing no damage. However,
they could
get hurt being stoned and stupid so I want them to never
come back. I
left two notes for them telling to leave my boat but I do
not think
they will see them because they do not turn on any lights.
I'll
replace the lock and hasp tomorrow but wonder if anyone else
has any
suggestions for a way to warn them without hurting them.

Marinas differ. My marina has no security--you'll be hard pressed to
even find anyone employed by the marina around. On the other hand, we
have a camaraderie between boat owners on my pier, a couple of
live-aboards, and several folks who are at the boat quite frequently,
even on "school nights". We keep an eye out for each others boat. If
we lock our boats, we use combination locks so that a fellow slip owner
can check on our boat. Just last week someone called me to inquire if
I had intentionally left my boat unplugged. On the other hand, when I
was on the hard in a different, larger marina, I had security follow me
to my boat every time I drove in to check on things. If I wanted to
drive around the marina to look at the different boats and different
work people were doing, there was security again. They were nice, but
distant, and a constant reminder of--I don't know of what. I was not
doing anything wrong, but I still felt uncomfortable. Even some of the
marina shipswrights expressed some discomfort towards the security--and
they have every right to expect that their shops stay secure!

If you lock your boat more securely, then the problem will likely move
to someone else's boat. Have you considered discussing this with
fellow slip owners, and asking those around your boat to "keep an eye
out"? Some larger marinas in this area have also instituted a "marina
watch" program. Sometimes a big show of a small effort will deter
possible "perps". If it happens regularly, perhaps a little extra
effort and a few extra trips to the boat by a few fellow ship owners,
along with a few signs, may yield results; at least, increased
"legitimate" traffic may deter illegitimate ones.

It's sad that sometimes people take advantage of a less "policed" or
self-policed situation.

Good luck!

mickey