Stolen narrowboat - Chilton [***found***]

[Athy]

For example, were the keys left in the ignition. Most people would not know how to start a boat's engine without the key, and most modern boat engines do not have a starting handle. Can a diesel engine be started without the aid of a key or a handle?

[bargemast]

For example, were the keys left in the ignition. Most people would not know how to start a boat's engine without the key, and most modern boat engines do not have a starting handle. Can a diesel engine be started without the aid of a key or a handle?

 

Maybe the man in overalls knew how easy it is to hotwire an engine to start.

 

Peter.

[Tam & Di]

For example, were the keys left in the ignition. Most people would not know how to start a boat's engine without the key, and most modern boat engines do not have a starting handle. Can a diesel engine be started without the aid of a key or a handle?

 

This was clearly not opportunist theft on a whim. You make a valid point about not leaving keys in the ignition (nor anywhere else fairly obvious) but I'm sure this guy knew very well how to start an engine without one. Presumably also knew how to steer a boat and work locks.

 

Tam

[Jess--]

For example, were the keys left in the ignition. Most people would not know how to start a boat's engine without the key, and most modern boat engines do not have a starting handle. Can a diesel engine be started without the aid of a key or a handle?

I reckon I could get my lister running in about 30 seconds without having to get access to anything more than the engine hatch (so no access to the ignition switch)

 

nothing fancy on it so as long as the engine stop isn't pulled it will start if you can make it spin (with or without heaters).

 

my method (on my boat) would be throw isolator (nicely labelled for BSS) and shove something big and metal across the starter solenoid

obviously running the engine without the electrics on may damage the alternator but if you're gaining a whole boat do you really care about the alternator.

 

newer engines may need extra bits hooking up (fuel pumps etc) but the theory would be roughly the same

Edited July 21, 2016 by Jess--

[RLWP]

I reckon I could get my lister running in about 30 seconds without having to get access to anything more than the engine hatch (so no access to the ignition switch)

 

nothing fancy on it so as long as the engine stop isn't pulled it will start if you can make it spin (with or without heaters).

 

Wow - it doesn't use a standard tractor key then?

 

Richard

[Athy]

 

Maybe the man in overalls knew how easy it is to hotwire an engine to start.

 

Peter.

So he must be a specialist mechanic, to know that it can be done and to know how to do it.

...or of course a specialist vehicle thief. But if so, why not steal a Transit van or similar? They are surely much harder to trace.

[MtB]

 

This was clearly not opportunist theft on a whim. You make a valid point about not leaving keys in the ignition (nor anywhere else fairly obvious) but I'm sure this guy knew very well how to start an engine without one. Presumably also knew how to steer a boat and work locks.

 

Tam

 

 

This is my thought too. The bloke must have arrived with tools and materials to hot wire the engine, break and enter to get the tiller bar (or bring his own tiller bar that fits), paint out the name panel and remove the CRT registration number.

 

I note the photo taken by the vigilant lock keeper shows the Reg Number already removed but the name panel still there. The later photo when the boat was found shows the name panel painted out too. So in addition to tools the guy must have have paint, paint roller and something to remove the CRT Number, along with a plan of when and where to stop and carry out the painting.

 

I'm wondering if there was a crane and a lorry booked somewhere, ready to lift it out.

[Jess--]

 

Wow - it doesn't use a standard tractor key then?

 

Richard

probably does. but as the ignition is inside the cabin I don't really worry about it... if they have access to the ignition I have bigger problems than whether or not it's a common key

[IanM]

I note the photo taken by the vigilant lock keeper shows the Reg Number already removed but the name panel still there.

 

I don't think that the picture posted in the OP was taken during this 'episode' as it's at Bratch Locks which is no-where on the route between the OP's marina and where the boat ended up. I imagine the OP just posted an archive picture to show what the boat looked like.

[Tam & Di]

 

So in addition to tools the guy must have have paint, paint roller and something to remove the CRT Number, along with a plan of when and where to stop and carry out the painting.

 

I'm wondering if there was a crane and a lorry booked somewhere, ready to lift it out.

 

From what I can see of the "found it" photo even the painting seems to have been done in a fairly tidy manner, leaving the white border around the name panel. So he even had a roll of masking tape in his pocket (or a very steady hand )

[mross]

I'm thinking of fitting something to the tiller arm that would prevent any extension being fitted. it would be secured with a padlock. Would this be a good dterrent? It's impossible to steer without the extension.

[Jess--]

So he must be a specialist mechanic, to know that it can be done and to know how to do it.

...or of course a specialist vehicle thief. But if so, why not steal a Transit van or similar? They are surely much harder to trace.

you don't need to be a specialist mechanic (of any sort) to understand how to hotwire a basic diesel engine, unlike a petrol engine there is no ignition system to power up. pretty much as long as there is fuel a diesel will start when you turn it over, so for most engines in boats it means disable the engine stop (if electric), power the fuel pump (if electric) and get power to the starter motor.

 

on a lot of boats people have mechanical engine stops (and most of us put it back to the run position after using them) and a lot don't use electric pumps so a spanner across the starter solenoid will get it going.

 

 

as an experiment imagine you have dropped your boat keys and lost them (and don't have any spares) how will you get into your boat and continue cruising.

 

a friend managed to lock their keys inside the boat but had left the top section of a window open in the middle of the boat, she was horrified when I took the glass out of the top pane from outside, reached inside and used her brass curtain rod to reach back and open the top of a window further back and then repeat the same method all the way to the back door where the curtain rod was used to open the door.

 

perhaps a little more worrying is that this was done between the 2 marina bridges at braunston with lots of people passing and nobody batted an eyelid.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Jess--

[MtB]

 

From what I can see of the "found it" photo even the painting seems to have been done in a fairly tidy manner, leaving the white border around the name panel. So he even had a roll of masking tape in his pocket (or a very steady hand )

 

 

Yes it all seems very well planned, so he must have considered what he was going to do with the boat. I very much doubt it was just a joy-ride.

 

I suspect the plan was to change the identity then flog it quickly, hence the careful painting. I wonder if there is already an advert on ebay and/or the duck.

[Tam & Di]

I'm thinking of fitting something to the tiller arm that would prevent any extension being fitted. it would be secured with a padlock. Would this be a good dterrent? It's impossible to steer without the extension.

 

Sounds good

 

 

you don't need to be a specialist mechanic (of any sort) to understand how to hotwire a basic diesel engine, ...... a lot don't use electric pumps so a spanner across the starter solenoid will get it going.

 

sssh - now you've told everyone.

 

Tam

[RLWP]

I'm thinking of fitting something to the tiller arm that would prevent any extension being fitted. it would be secured with a padlock. Would this be a good dterrent? It's impossible to steer without the extension.

 

A length of tube and a padlock with a long loop.

 

It doesn't stop me lashing a tiller to the side though

 

Richard

[ditchcrawler]

The low-life thief was wearing overalls. The marina doesn't have workshop/dry dock facilities so people often have their boat taken out of the marina to have work done such as blacking and if anybody did happen to notice it going out I doubt they would query it.

 

Even with the gates locked that only restricts the entry by cars and it's easy to climb through or over the fence. There are 250+ boats in the marina and a fair bit of coming and going so it would be virtually impossible to prevent it happening, as would also be the case at most other marinas. Hopefully this was a 'one off'' but it nevertheless is a concern.

 

The main deterrent IMO is the likes of this forum as well as Facebook and other social media in that it's much harder these days for the thieves. The main problem would be for people who only visit their boat occasionally so it might not get noticed for weeks.Thank goodness Malcolm was aware of it so soon.

That's very true, we often see Streethay's van in there and blokes in overalls on different boats without the owners being there. I wouldn't recognise the owner of the boat moored next to us as in 2 years we have probably spent 14 days in the marina. we just turn up and take the boat out sometimes staying overnight if we arrive late.

So he must be a specialist mechanic, to know that it can be done and to know how to do it.

...or of course a specialist vehicle thief. But if so, why not steal a Transit van or similar? They are surely much harder to trace.

When I was 14 I could start a tractor without the key.

[Chalky]

 

 

So in addition to tools the guy must have have paint, paint roller and something to remove the CRT Number, along with a plan of when and where to stop and carry out the painting.

 

 

Unless the owner kept paint and a brush/ roller on board just in case.

[Tam & Di]

 

Unless the owner kept paint and a brush/ roller on board just in case.

 

'cept there is no visible red paint on the original photo. This seems to have been very well planned indeed, and I doubt that finding paint was left to chance. I even doubt that this was his first attempt at something very similar.

 

Tam

[RLWP]

 

'cept there is no visible red paint on the original photo.

 

Handrails

 

Richard

[Tam & Di]

 

Handrails

 

Richard

Whoops! So they were

[RLWP]

Whoops! So they were

 

I had nearly said the same as you - then remembered the handrails.

 

Richard

[magnetman]

 

 

I strongly disagree. Do we have no interest in protecting our own boats from being stolen in a simiar way? If we have (and I suspect most of us have) then undrstanding the fine details of how it was done are crucial.

 

The more information the OP can give us about exactly what happened now he has his boat back, the better he is able to repay 'the boating community' for the help it has given him in tracking down his stolen boat. All in my personal opinion.

Nobody wants their boat stolen but you suggested that the person taking the boat may have had a key (I assume you mean to the interior of the boat). Then you asked if the marina had a key.

 

That's a police matter in my opinion.

 

Modus Operandi in general is good to discuss I agree.

[David Schweizer]

Do we actually know that the OP has managed to reclaim his boat? the last post indicated that C&ART were present and the Police were on their way, since then we have heard nothing, or have I missed something?

Edited July 21, 2016 by David Schweizer

[alan_fincher]

Do we actually know that the OP has managed to reclaim his boat? the last post indicated that C&ART were present and the Police were on their way, since then we have heard nothing, or have I missed something?

 

Yes,

 

I would be interested to hear an update as well.

 

It's possible it has been on Facebook somewhere, but I have not actively gone looking for it.

[RLWP]

 

Yes,

 

I would be interested to hear an update as well.

 

It's possible it has been on Facebook somewhere, but I have not actively gone looking for it.

 

 

Boat has been found by bridge 105 - CRT are in attendance - police are on their way - so are we but we live a long way away.

 

Huge thanks to everyone who has helped, but you'll appreciate there will be no more posts today.

 

Malcolm

 

So, it's not been 24 hours yet.

 

Richard

Edited July 21, 2016 by RLWP