Re: [Paddlewise] Precautions against kayak theft

Two suggestions:
1) Very thick and visible chain (the heaviest that you can handle), going
from U-bolt on one end of a kayak, under the car bottom, and up to the
U-bolt on another end of a kayak.  Put some decent padlock far under the car
bottom, where  you can still reach and unlock it.  Such chain will deter
low-end casual thieves, and you might get lucky not to encounter some
skilled professional.
2) Personal alarm like those for computer theft, activated by this device
movement (not by your movement) and de-activated by your key (put it
somewhere inside the kayak).

I didn't try either of them, 'cause don't park my car with a hardshell kayak
overnight, leaving a car on a parking at a launch site for 1-3 days trip,
which site is ususally within a few hours here in BC. For longer trips I fly
with my folding kayak, trying to camp in the most secluded places,
and still don't know how to secure it there.  One idea was suggested for
wilderness trips - very loud 110dB IR alarm.  I tried it - it reacts on tent
walls vibrating
under the wind, and outside my tent it is not weatherproof and also reacts
on bushes and grass vibrations, not to mention coyotes etc.  Hell with them,
coyotes - they are thievs too, but bushes and grass isn't something that
should wake me up, right? The guy that suggested this, was using German
"4-Season" alarm, more user-friendly (key instead of keypad), alas,  not
available in North America. May be this German one has lower sensitivity.

> With summer weather upon us, I'm expecting to do some traveling with
> our touring kayaks. I've been searching for tips on how to reduce the
> risk of theft when boats are loaded on roof racks. Parking overnight
> at hotels makes me particularly nervous. No system of locks or cables
> will thwart a determined thief, I realize that. But I'm wondering if
> any of you know of better, or additional, tips than what follows,
> which summarizes what I've found online. I don't plan to use all of
> these approaches, mind you, but I'll note them anyway. :->
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