McGard Prop lock?

Casey · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:16 am Post subject: McGard Prop lock?

Have any Brat's used a McGard Prop lock?

http://www.mcgard.com/Home/MarineProducts/PropellerLocks

It looks like a decent idea, and although any lock system can be defeated - this should make prop theft a little more difficult. With the price of SS prop's maybe a few bucks spent beforehand is a good idea.

I checked the archives for related threads and didn't see any. There was some discussion of preventing outright outboard motor theft, but that is a
secondary concern at this point; our Honda is 470# and if someone is big enough or mean enough to steal it I don't want to meet them anyway.

Thoughts?

Best,
Casey

outta_route · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:31 am Post subject: McGard prop lock

Hi Casey. I put one on my last boat after my prop was stolen. I keep the boat in Crystal River during scallop season and haven't had a problem since.

I just bought a 2005 C-Dory 22' cruiser and plan on putting one on this. You can't go wrong. Each key is registered with the company, with a card. If you lose the key, you send the card in to get a new one.

Good Luck, Bob

localboy · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:03 pm Post subject:

All you can do is make it more difficult to steal anything, so I don't think it'd be a total waste of $$$. I've got a SS prop myself and the thought of how much $$$ it would cost to replace makes a small investment worthwhile IMO. Didn't find a cost anywhere on the sight though. Confused

Casey · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject:

I ordered the McGard lock today. The dealer said it will be $56+tax.

I saw some of them on eBay cheaper, but not for the Honda.

Stay tuned for a report.

Best,
Casey

thataway · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject:

I used one when I had a boat which I kept in a parking lot in Calif. Other boat's props were stolen, but not mine. So as noted, the thiefs will take the easy ones.

tpbrady · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:45 am Post subject:

I've used one, but the amount of torque required on the nut seems excessive. Will this eventually cause a problem with the thrust washer?

Wefings · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:18 am Post subject:

We have sold them for years . We tell our customers to put that card in a safety deposit box and the extra key in another safety deposit box . They are Extreeeeeeeeeeemly difficult to get off .
Marc

Casey · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject:

Marc,

Thanks for the info - that pretty well answers my question as to whether or not it will prevent prop theft's! ...now the thief will be so pissed he can't get the pop off he'll probably vandalize the whole boat!

Any thought re Tom's concern about the assembly possibly being too tight?

Thx,
Casey

BrentB · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:26 pm Post subject:

Are you adding anti-seize lube to the lock and spline?

Wefings · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject:

I have not heard of any problems with the Torque . Just removing the darn things when you lose the key and the code !
Marc

tpbrady · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:

I'm just using marine grease. What I don't understand about the McGard is how just torque holds the prop nut on. There is no cotter pin or other means of preventing the nut from backing off. Having broken one hub on a prop that resulted in loss of the prop, (I found the prop and hub pieces on the ramp) I always use cotter pins now and not just the clips that come with the Honda props.

smittypaddler · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject: alternate to lock nut

I use these when the boat is on the trailer and I'm traveling:

http://casanovasadventures.com/catalog/travelgear/p920.htm

I don't know if they're effective, but visually any potential thief sees a wire mesh surrounding my propellers from a long distance away. I also use Lasso cables to lock the motors to the trailer, and the trailer to the car. They're actually designed for locking kayaks on top of your car, but again, I think the fact that the potential thief can see them from some distance off is a dissuading factor:

http://www.lassosecuritycables.com/