Around 8/17/2004 5:58 PM, jeff® wrote:

I hope I'm wrong but the last couple times I took the boat out, my tank was
near empty, and both times I was sure I had between 1/3 - 1/2 tank. (40 gal
tank). I trailer it and park in the driveway, so if it's true, it's
happening there.

This happened to my uncle as well, in his slip at a large public
moorage. He lost about 70 gallons, and only found out about it 2/3 of
the way back from a weekend trip.

Anyone have any ideas on how to be sure? My wife wants me
to design some elaborate electronic trap with digital video. While not a
great challenge I invision something more low tech like duct tape over the
cap which could never be put back on the same.

Suggestions?

Well, you could set up something elaborate to catch them on tape (many
camcorders these days have motion detection, and there is always your
friendly neighborhood or online spy store. I think even Home Depot and
the like carry basic video surveillance kits), but the low tech idea is
just a waste of time; they would still get away with the gas, and the
only difference is that you would know about it sooner.

Unless you really want to nail the thieves, just get a lock on the gas
cap and don't worry about it. If all they're after is gas, your boat
won't be such a plump, juicy sitting duck next time.



--
~/Garth - 1966 Glastron V-142 Skiflite: "Blue-Boat"
"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing about in boats."
-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows