RE: [Paddlewise] So. Cal. stolen boats

Scott wrote:
   >>>>>I would like to report a couple of stolen kayaks in the Southern
California/Orange County area. My trusty Arluk II, dark blue or sort of
purple-ish (it's very well used and faded so the color is kinda hard to
determine exactly) deck with a white hull.<<<<<<SNIP>

I'm really busy now so I was hoping someone else would have brought this up
but I guess I'll have to do it myself. Scott, I keep a database of stolen
kayaks and publish a list with identifying features for them on our website.
Please check it out and if you provide as much of the information asked for
that you can I'll get it posted on the stolen kayak list. This list has
helped recover several of them as well so its probably worth a try.

Most sea kayak thieves steal them to sell, they aren't kayakers themselves.
Keep track of the want ads in your newspapers and check kayak store bulletin
boards to see if anyone is trying to sell it. Also look at the newspaper ads
for a up to a month or two before it was stolen as   some sea kayaks have
been essentially presold (several buyers were lined up and waiting to see
it) before the kayaks were stolen.

Anyone looking to buy a kayak used should read the article in the Stolen
Kayak section of the website on how not to buy a stolen kayak. The buyer is
sometimes the major victim because if the kayak is identified later they
lose the kayak and don't get their money back either.
There is a major kayak thief now living in the San Francisco area. Haven't
heard of many thefts in Southern CA though. If you've had an experience
trying to buy a kayak that seemed "strange" please get in touch with me.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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