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From: <KiAyker_at_aol.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 22:07:06 EDT
   I have had several people ask me about the status of my stolen boat which 
I had managed to locate. So here's the story - the boat is gone. Apparently 
running the boat through a lost and found with the city or county is a legal 
way to launder stolen goods. Actually, it's my own fault. Simply being able 
to identify a stolen boat is apparently not good enough. You need to have 
some sort of positive ID, like numbers or names and address carved into it in 
order to positively identify it. Harold has been telling me this for years. 
Perhaps I should actually listen to him every now and then :-)
   At any rate, this should be a lesson to the rest of you. If your boat has 
numbers on it, write them down and keep them someplace safe. If your boat 
doesn't have numbers on it then it might be a good idea to put your name on 
it in such a way that it will be difficult to remove. I really don't know 
just how to do that at this time, but I will be giving it some serious 
consideration over the next couple of weeks or so.
   This incident has got me thinking about boat registration as well. I have 
always been against the registration of kayaks. However, if kayaks were 
required to have numbers on them, and the authorities actually sited those 
that did not, then that would sure make it a lot more difficult for someone 
to use a stolen boat. I don't know, I'll have to give this some thought as 
well.

Scott
So.Cal.

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From: alex <al.m_at_3web.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 21:48:50 -0700
> Simply being able
> to identify a stolen boat is apparently not good enough. You need to have
> some sort of positive ID, like numbers or names and address carved into it
in
> order to positively identify it. Harold has been telling me this for
years.
> Perhaps I should actually listen to him every now and then :-)
>    At any rate, this should be a lesson to the rest of you. If your boat
has
> numbers on it, write them down and keep them someplace safe. If your boat
> doesn't have numbers on it then it might be a good idea to put your name
on
> it in such a way that it will be difficult to remove. I really don't know
> just how to do that at this time

If it's plastic or composite, why not try branding this horse with
pre-heated brand somehere inside? And if it's composite, then embossing on
metal (or again heat-branding of plastic parts) could be an option.  Just
thinking... Perhaps inside branding of the folder skin makes more sense than
branding frame members - skin costs more than half of the thing.
Alex.

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From: <Niilus_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 01:05:38 EDT
In a message dated 4/24/2003 9:50:34 PM Pacific Daylight Time, al.m_at_3web.net 
writes:


> Perhaps inside branding of the folder skin makes more sense than
> branding frame members - skin costs more than half of the thing.
> 

Commercially manufactured skins already have HIN numbers in them.

Tony

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From: alex <al.m_at_3web.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 23:23:07 -0700
> > Perhaps inside branding of the folder skin makes more sense than
> > branding frame members - skin costs more than half of the thing.
> >
>
> Commercially manufactured skins already have HIN numbers in them.
>
> Tony
>

My F-craft has a small number plate glued on the outside near stern.  It's
the same number as on the purchase receipt. I
didn't try removing it, but looks like it's possible.  Is there any other
place where I could find a number?
Alex.

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From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 00:27:28 -0700
Scott wrote:
<SNIP>>>>>This incident has got me thinking about boat registration as well.
I have
always been against the registration of kayaks. However, if kayaks were
required to have numbers on them, and the authorities actually sited those
that did not, then that would sure make it a lot more difficult for someone
to use a stolen boat. I don't know, I'll have to give this some thought as
well.<<<<<<<

The Coast Guard number is required and the fine to a manufacturer is, I
believe, $50 per boat not numbered.

State registration might have some minor benefits in recovering stolen
kayaks but the fees, numbering cost (for 2 inch high numbers) and the tax
collections that kayak registration would allow would mean that every kayak
owner in that state would have their money stolen a little at a time every
year and just as importantly have to deal with another onerous bureaucratic
detail making their life less free in order to comply with the law. In
Washington, now one must pay to park within a quarter of a mile of a
trailhead. This might seem logical as a user fee but the last time I wanted
to take a very short hike to a hanging bridge I knew about (on the way to
going somewhere else) we drove to the nearest ranger station a few miles
beyond only to find out that that station didn't offer the permit we needed
to park for an hour or less and the next nearest ranger station that did was
20 miles away. Laws like that sure take the fun out of spontaneity don't
they. Don't encourage the bastards. They aren't looking to help you. They
are thinking "revenue source" and are happy to take away your time, your gas
money and your freedom (and your pleasure in that freedom) for a few bucks
of revenue. I don't see the self appointed "governing" body of paddling, the
ACA, much differently. I won't help them gain more power or help guide their
hand into my wallet. Here is the kind of people governments and volunteer
governments often attract. "(name withheld--kayak store) wouldn't dare not
let you drop off my friend's kayak there if I ask them, I'm their ACA
certifier." Maybe not an exact quote, but the meaning was clear. She held
the reigns of power and knew how to use them for her own and her friends'
benefit.

I couldn't agree more with the advice from Scott and others regarding
recording serial numbers and making your kayak positively identifiable. New
or used, make sure the Coast Guard number is written on the receipt or bill
of sale of any kayak you buy or sell and save that paperwork. Lots more
precautions to take can be found on the "stolen kayaks" page of our website
under "How to Avoid Buying a "Hot" Kayak & How to Safeguard Your Kayak"

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 09:50:40 -0400
> If your boat
> doesn't have numbers on it then it might be a good idea to put your
name
> on
> it in such a way that it will be difficult to remove. I really don't
know
> just how to do that at this time, but I will be giving it some serious
> consideration over the next couple of weeks or so.


One method that comes to mind (particularly for strip or S&G boats, but
could be done for any glass boat I suppose) would be to use the building
method of printing names and so forth on material such as rice paper,
and applying it under the glass.  

True - that can be sanded out and reglassed.  But, if you did it to the
underside of the deck, inside a hatch, where it isn't visible, a thief
probably would never know it was there.  If you needed to prove that it
was your boat, simply place a mirror into the hatch opening in such a
way that the name and ownership info is visible for all to see.

I've never done the above, but it sounds like a viable option to me.

Rick - Poquoson, VA
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From: Windwalker <windwalker_at_fastmail.fm>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 09:18:40 +0100
On Friday 25 April 2003 03:07, KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote:
>    I have had several people ask me about the status of my stolen boat
> which I had managed to locate. So here's the story - the boat is gone.
> Apparently running the boat through a lost and found with the city or
> county is a legal way to launder stolen goods. Actually, it's my own
> fault. Simply being able to identify a stolen boat is apparently not
> good enough. You need to have some sort of positive ID, like numbers or
> names and address carved into it in order to positively identify it.
> Harold has been telling me this for years. Perhaps I should actually
> listen to him every now and then :-)
>    At any rate, this should be a lesson to the rest of you. If your boat
> has numbers on it, write them down and keep them someplace safe. If your
> boat doesn't have numbers on it then it might be a good idea to put your
> name on it in such a way that it will be difficult to remove. I really
> don't know just how to do that at this time, but I will be giving it
> some serious consideration over the next couple of weeks or so.
>    This incident has got me thinking about boat registration as well. I
> have always been against the registration of kayaks. However, if kayaks
> were required to have numbers on them, and the authorities actually
> sited those that did not, then that would sure make it a lot more
> difficult for someone to use a stolen boat. I don't know, I'll have to
> give this some thought as well.
>
> Scott
> So.Cal.


Something to ponder, I may do it here and have queried a supplier.
Canoes I do build a few of. Numbers can be changed ect
The "chips" for pets, Im sure you have heard of them. They can be glassed 
into a boat...
You can put what ever info on the chip you want....
Im considering doing it here on new boats.



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From: Rich Kulawiec <rsk_at_rockandwater.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 10:41:38 -0400
On Fri, Apr 25, 2003 at 09:18:40AM +0100, Windwalker wrote:
> You can put what ever info on the chip you want....
> Im considering doing it here on new boats.

I've done various different things: one boat has my info on the underside
of the seat.  Another has it in a sealed 35mm file canister that's been
inserted into the ethafoam wall way up front.  One that I no longer have
had it on the far side of a footbrace.

---Rsk
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From: Nick Schade <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 10:30:07 -0400
On Friday, April 25, 2003, at 09:50  AM, <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com> 
wrote:
>
> One method that comes to mind (particularly for strip or S&G boats, but
> could be done for any glass boat I suppose) would be to use the 
> building
> method of printing names and so forth on material such as rice paper,
> and applying it under the glass.

For a wood boat just use a pencil and write directly on the wood. This 
requires sanding away some of the wood to erase.

Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/

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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 10:47:01 -0400
> For a wood boat just use a pencil and write directly on the wood. This
> requires sanding away some of the wood to erase.


Ahhh, yeah.... that's what I meant.  Do it the easy way.  I guess that's
why Nick writes boat building books, and I just read them.  :-)

Speaking of which, I'm scheduled to glass the hull this weekend!!!!
Have good thoughts for me - it's my first glassing experience and I'm a
bit nervous.

Rick
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From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 11:00:57 -0400
> I did exactly that with my stripper. Printed the relevant information
in
> reverse on clear acetate (for overheads) in my laser printer, then
glassed
> it under the front deck. Rice paper would be thinner and would cover
> easier
> by the epoxy, but for under the deck I thought acetate would be fine.
As
> you
> say, you can read it with a mirror.

Ken, it's great to hear that it works out fine.  I'm in the process of
building an Outer Island designed by Jay Babina, and I think I'll do it
myself.  It's not too late.... I'm just to the point of glassing the
outer hull this weekend.

Rick
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From: Joe Pylka <pylka_at_castle.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 11:40:48 -0400
> I did exactly that with my stripper. Printed the relevant information in
> reverse on clear acetate (for overheads) in my laser printer, then glassed
> it under the front deck. Rice paper would be thinner and would cover
easier
> by the epoxy, but for under the deck I thought acetate would be fine.

I do something similar with clear labels on an inkjet.  Put my name & phone#
on them, then seal onto paddles, other gear, underside of thwarts in a
canoe, etc.  with either epoxy or a nylon-based clear nail polish.

JP

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From: <cholst_at_bitstream.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Stolen Boat Update
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2003 16:21:51 -0500
Quoting KiAyker_at_aol.com:

> Actually, it's my own fault. Simply being able 
> to identify a stolen boat is apparently not good enough. You need to have 
> some sort of positive ID, like numbers or names and address carved into it 

This is one of the few advantages of kayak registration. I carry a card with me 
that not only proves I own the boat and have paid the registration fees, but 
also has the model name and serial number, which is engraved into the hull.

Chuck Holst
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