If you want your kayak to be safe and secure, you should know how to lock it up. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, there were 4 240 watercraft thefts in 2019. So locking your kayak and keeping it secured when left alone is essential not to get it stolen.
How To Keep Your Kayak From Being Stolen?
The best way to secure a kayak from theft is to use a cable lock. You can insert it through the scupper hole, drain plug, or any other solid anchor point on the boat. Then, you can pass it around a roof rack, trailer, or anything else you want. After that, you need to lock it up, and everything should be secure.
But the best method and exact process to keep your kayak safe will vary depending on the model and the circumstances. The boat design and where you lock it can influence your options and what you have to do. So let’s find out how you can secure your kayak from theft!
How To Lock Up A Kayak?
Locking a kayak is quite simple, but you will need the right lock and system. Using a cable lock is generally the best option to secure a kayak. But you must use it properly to ensure you don’t get stolen. Here are 3 steps to lock up your kayak!
What Do You Need?
Step 1: Find The Right Kayak Lock
First of all, you will need a lock to secure your kayak. As I already said, cable locks are generally the best options, but there are different designs and types. My first recommendation would be the Master Python Cable Lock because it’s adjustable, easy to use, and safe.
Apart from that, you could also use the DocksLocks Security Cable. It has a resettable combination lock, and there are different sizes available. Another good option that would be ideal for securing a kayak to a roof rack is the Seattle Sports Cradle Cable Lock.
To choose the right one, you should consider your boat and where you plan to secure it. Your cable lock must be able to go around or through the kayak and the thing you have in mind to secure it on. In general, the Master Cable Lock system would be the best.
Step 2: Put The Lock On Your Kayak
Once you have the lock, you need to figure out where you will put it on your kayak. The best anchor point might vary depending on the boat’s design and features. But anything solid where you can pass the cable lock should work.
Sit-On-Top Kayaks
Most sit-on-top kayaks have scupper holes where the water can drain from the boat. That would be the perfect place to insert the cable lock. Solid grab handles can also work, but it’s not as secure as a hole in the middle of the kayak.
Sit-Inside Kayaks
Kayaks with an open cockpit don’t have scupper holes, but some models have drain plugs on the top of their bow. So if you open it, you might be able to pass the cable lock inside it. Hatches and solid grab handles are other good places to secure your kayak.
Just make sure not to put the cable lock on something easily removable or breakable. For example, bungee cords and some grab handles could easily be cut by a thief. If you don’t have any solid anchor point on your kayak, a lock like the Seattle Sports Cable could be ideal.
You can pass it around both ends of the boat and secure it on a roof rack or whatever else you want. So it’s a great option if your kayak doesn’t have drain holes, hatches, grab handles, or anchor points.
Step 3: Secure The Kayak To Something With The Lock
Once you know where to put the cable on your kayak, it’s time to determine on what you will secure it. Any fix and solid object should do the job. But the most common places where people lock their kayaks are on roof racks, trailers, or at home. So let’s see how to do it!
How To Lock A Kayak To A Roof Rack?
The best way to lock a kayak to a roof rack is to use a lasso-style cable lock. It consists of a long cable with a lasso on both ends that goes on the kayak bow and stern. Then, you can wrap it around the roof rack and tighten it as much as possible. After that, you can lock it, and everything should be secure.
The Seattle Sports Cable Lock is an excellent example of a lasso-style kayak locking system. You can check the schema on Amazon to see how it would look and work on a roof rack. You should wrap it around multiple times and make it tight for extra protection.
Besides that, you can also use any cable lock to secure the kayak to the roof rack. Pass the cable through the anchor point previously found on your kayak and around the crossbar or side rail. You should ideally use one lock for the bow and another for the stern if possible.
Before locking your kayak to a roof rack, you should know how to secure it with straps onto your car. So here’s how to transport a kayak with a roof rack. After that, you can lock it there for extra safety and keep it from getting stolen.
How To Lock A Kayak On A Trailer?
If you leave your kayak unattended on a trailer, you should lock it up. You can take a cable lock and run it through a scupper hole, handle, or another anchor point. Then, you must pass it around the trailer frame, tighten it, and secure it. You can also use a lasso-style lock and wrap the cable around the trailer.
How To Lock A Kayak Outside At Home?
You can secure your kayak to a fixed and solid object outside, like a tree or a dock, with a cable lock. Then, you should cover it with a tarp to keep it out of sight from potential thieves.
Another option would be to lock your kayak up to a rack in your shed or simply put it inside your house.
When To Lock Your Kayak?
Lock your kayak whenever it’s likely to get stolen. For example, you should lock your kayak if you leave it unattended for more than an hour or two. Whether it’s on a roof rack, trailer, or in your backyard, locking your kayak is the best way to keep it from theft.
Other Ways To Keep Your Kayak From Being Stolen!
Besides locking your kayak, there are different methods to keep it from theft. A secure lock system is only one way to keep it safe. But the more of them you use, the less likely your kayak is to get stolen. So here are other ideas you should consider for extra protection!
Hide Your Kayak!
Out of sight, out of mind. If thieves can’t see your kayak, they won’t be able to steal it. You can hide it somewhere and lock it there. Simply putting a tarp on your kayak will probably drastically decrease the likelihood of getting it stolen.
Ask Someone To Look After It!
If you’re in a public area and have to leave your kayak unattended for a short period of time, you can ask someone nearby to check it for you. Ideally, it should be a person you know and trust. But most people will happily and successfully look after your kayak while you’re away.
Another option would be to leave it at a police station or a local kayak shop. They are probably more trustworthy than strangers. It’s also a more appropriate solution for long periods of absence. You can’t ask someone to look after your kayak for hours or days.
Kayak Alarms!
Another option to keep your kayak from theft is to put an alarm on it. Hide it inside, and if someone tries to steal your boat. the alarm will go on. That should scare thieves away and notify you. Some people used this bike alarm on their kayaks and said it works great.
Stay In Public!
Leaving your kayak where many people can see it will discourage most thieves from going after it. But you should still use a lock because probably no one knows who that kayak belongs to. So a person could take it as if it was his, But with a lock to break or straps to cut, it makes it harder to steal and looks more suspicious.
Buy Kayaks Nobody Wants!
Who wants to steal something that doesn’t look good and is not worth much? Probably not many people. So cheap, ugly, or old kayaks are less likely to get stolen. And even if they do, it’s not as much of a big deal as a brand-new and valuable kayak.
The following methods won’t keep your kayak from being stolen, but they will help you if it happens.
Track It!
Putting a tracking device like the Tracki in your kayak will allow you to locate it if someone steals it or you lose it. Just make sure it’s well hidden inside so the thief doesn’t see it. Then, you can report the theft to the police and share the location of the tracking device with them.
Kayak Theft Insurance!
If your kayak is worth over $1,000, it might be worth investing in theft insurance. Some companies will cover up to a certain amount if your kayak gets stolen or significant damages. That can be your last resort to get your money back. Your insurance company might even already include watercraft coverage in their homeowner policies.
Last Thoughts About Locking A Kayak!
Finally, there are many ways to keep your kayak from getting stolen. Locking it is the most obvious and effective protection against theft. You can put a cable lock on your kayak and secure it to a roof rack, trailer, or a permanent structure in your backyard.
Besides that, you can also use a tarp to hide it, ask someone to look after it, put an alarm in it, leave it in public where many people can see it, or get one that no one will want to steal. However hard you try not to get your kayak stolen, it might happen. So you could also hide a tracking device or talk with your insurance to secure it from theft.
Let’s Keep That Kayak Safe!
