As paddlers we often rely on the hope that non-kayaking folk won't realise the value of our prized possessions and will therefore keep their hands to themselves. Unfortunately we seem to be hearing more and more stories of specialised boat thieves slashing roof rack straps, getting out the bolt cutters and making off with your loved ones. The sad truth is that someone who really wants to steal your kayaks is probably going to succeed, but there are things we can do to make these people's lives as difficult as possible. Here's a review of the dual-pronged approach that I go for… |
A LOCK TO DETER THEIVES
The end of the lock is approximately 3cm in diameter. This fits under all of my grab handles with room to spare but won't fit under all rescue points. Fortunately, if you buy the lock from Amazon you can send it back easily and for no extra charge.
A Lock To Satisfy The Insurers
The second prong does little to actually protect your loved ones from theft, but is much more likely to satisfy the insurance companies. The details of each insurance policy will differ, but most policies, including the BCU Towergate insurance, will specify that your equipment is only covered if securely locked to the roof of a motor vehicle. The Rackguard Lockwire costs about £20 and satisfies this condition. |
Thanks so much to Wave Sport for all of their support.