Transceiver Alarm System for your boat

[IdleUp]

Transceiver Alarm System for your boat

No matter where your boat is, at home, at the dock, if your like me you worry every time you lose direct sight of your pride and joy. With this in mind, I started looking at security systems for my boat. After I exhausted myself looking, I came up with a brain-storm – why not install the same system I have on my Honda Goldwing Trike.

The system I installed is called the Scorpio SR-i500 / SRi600 system. What makes the Scorpio unique is both the alarm and the hand held “Key Fob” is a complete transceiver which talk to each other. The way it works is when you arm the system, the main alarm module transmits data back to the remote to acknowledge the system received the signal and the system is armed. When you arm the alarm, the small lock icon on the remote that was open, now shows it locked. The beauty of the system is if your in a restaurant or tackle shop out of sight of your boat and someone steps in the cockpit, The perimeter alarm detects that someone is on the boat and sounds an immediate chirp warning. If the intruder does not move back or continues to violate the space, the alarm now goes in an alarm state. When this happens, the alarm sends out a signal and your remote which starts it vibrating and chirping to let you know there was a violation. On the display the remote will show the type of violation i.e. perimeter, Ignition, etc.

While the specs state the range is ½ mile from the alarm to the remote, I think it will depend on the area. I’ve parked my bike out in a parking lot and the alarm linked pretty much no matter where I walked in the mall.
The Scorpio system also come with accelerometer for movement detection which I turned down to “1” so the boat is able to rock at the dock without triggering the system. Hopefully if someone ran into the boat and jerked the sensor – I’m sure it would sound an alarm. The Scorpio also comes with a battery backup so if someone cuts the 12 v power it will continue to operate for an hour or so.
On my Ranger I tapped into the carbon detector circuit (always on) for my 12v source. I ran the perimeter sensor inside the cabin right by the cockpit door so if anyone steps into the cockpit area, they are fore-warned. In the event someone slips in a hatch or window, the perimeter sensor will protect the entire cabin.
Anyhow, if someone is considering an alarm system for their boat, the Scorpio system (at least for me) is the ticket. It affords me some piece of mind when I’m not in view of my boat. Another plus is when your trailering the boat. While you’re sitting in a Cracker Barrel having breakfast your same system is working for you.

The Scorpio system sells for just under $300 and come complete with perimeter alarm – ignition disable – battery backup – accelerometer. By the way, the system has a super low drain. While I have shown the SRi500 the new systems are now called the SRi600 and have a new remote with a rechargeable battery.

For more info:
http://www.scorpioalarms.com/






Image shows the small size of the remote which easily fits on your keychain




This image shows the complete installation on a Ranger 25.




Close-up of the alarm module. note the single black wire is the antenna.




Close-up of the Perimeter Sensor by cockpit door.




This is a page showing the remote functions

[thataway]

Interesting approach. Is there also an audiable (siren or bell) alarm? What about birds, sea otters, etc setting off the Alarm?

Thanks

[IdleUp]

[Sea Wolf]

Looks like a pretty elaborate system!

I had a much more basic system on my other boat when I bought it, included several sensors and a step on pad in the companionway, and a 12 inch horn under the flying bridge rear bench seat.

Kind of a pain to maintain, though, since it was older.

I left the entire cabin door open (my slip is on the very end corner that everyone goes by) for 4 days accidently, and nothing was bothered inside the cabin or boat!

Decided that was one of the reasons I pay for insurance, etc., and to quit worrying!

Photograph everything of value, though, so you can lodge a claim, if necessary.

I'd never get back the $$ put into my tons of fishing gear that's stored inside my CD-22, however, despite the photographs. Would need an inventory sheet and receipts, probably. Very hard to keep the photos updated, etc.

What, me worry? Would take a lot of the fun out of boating to worry all the time!

Joe.

[IdleUp]

Joe,

I feel the way you do however, keep in mind, the alarm system is bullet-proof, if someone doesn't get in the boat, it won't go off. I've been using them for years on my bikes. The system is a deterrent more than anything else. The alarm is at such a pitch that it almost immobilizes you if your in the cabin.

I've seen boats destroyed in the keys and insurance don't fix the your personal frustration of putting in new doors and windows or all your wiring and instruments back in where they just rip it apart with crow bars.

The $300 spent is in most cases less than your deductible - if it works one time, you got it for free without all the problems and calling your insurance company.

[marvin4239]

Idleup thanks for the excellent post and description. I've been looking for something similiar as my boat is kept quit a distance from my home, 1,000 ft in a lift. Only question I have is if you aren't within range (1/2 mile) of the boat and the alarm is activated does it have any sort of timer to automaticly deactivate it once and intruder is scared away and the threat is gone?

[IdleUp]

[Doryman]

[IdleUp]

Warren,

Please don't let my comments distract you from visiting the Florida Keys, it a super place to visit and of course one of the best boating locations in the US.

However, but if you get around Miami you on your own - Miami is a sewer of low-life's, and one of the many reasons I moved out of there after 40 years. I've seen boats vandalized right at the ramp when the owner went to get his trailer.

Once you get South of Homestead, things begin to get normal. Have fun but keep your eyes open - it's not like it used to be in the 70's & 80's no more!

If I can turn a few things around here - I'll be down in the Keys around February myself.

Cheers!

[TomRay]

That's amazing technology for the price!

(I grew up in Miami but fled in the mid 90's)

[hardee]

IdleUp: Really nice post. Looks like a good system, and install looks like it is not too challenging.

Joe: Been a while since I've seen that cute little smiling face. Love the tie. For where I park my boat, it may be out of sight, but never out of mind. This looks like a reasonable adjunct to my neighbors, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson.

Harvey
SleepyC

[starcrafttom]

I have installed a cheaper system on my boat a few years ago after getting ripped off twice. My biggest problem is the boom boom cars, short piped bikes and diesel trucks that go by my house. They all set off the alarm unless I turn it down to the lowest setting , then you can have a party in the boat and the alarm will never go off. Do you have that problem with your system??

[marvin4239]

I've been putting something together with some old junk I had laying around, a motion detector, relay and 120 volt alarm horn. I was going to mount this in the rafters of my boat house with the motion detector aimed at the cockpit. My first motivation for this was to scarre away birds who seem to get inside the netting I have up. This thing Idleup posted may just scare away birds as well as thieves for and added bonus.

[Sea Wolf]

[IdleUp]

Ok, Joe looks you're gonna be one of those few boat owners who does not need an Alarm system, it appears you have the matter in hand!

By the way, do you hire out for charters?