Quote:
Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter
A few years back someone had their Bravo XR outdrives and props stolen from in front of Silver Springs Marina while on display for sale. They were stolen off a Fountain 35' Lightning. Seems these boats were being targeted because of the drives. The marina called to let us know our boat should be watched as we also had the same equipment. Before I was here all summer we would park the boat at the house a few days before we launched it. Midweek our neighbor heard and saw some activity near the trailered boat and chased off the suspicious party. Turns out they were only a couple minutes from having the outdrives removed. We were very lucky. Boat thieves know these outdrives are big money and I'm sure they are constantly casing the area for easy targets.
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Outdrives should be removed every year to check the engine alignment and it is surprisingly easy work. All modern outdrives, unless locked, are just a couple of minutes from being removed. With a helper, a 5/8" wrench, a 5/8" socket and a speed wrench, I could easily have a Bravo XR drive/prop off in under 2 minutes. There's only two plastic caps and seven 5/8" nuts with washers that have to come off, they are all very accessible, rarely corroded (bronze nuts on stainless steel) and not terribly tight.
These will likely make a thief choose another boat to attack:
http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...ID=GSHOP_28295