T&T: Alarm system

[Steve Sipe]

I never thought I'd even consider the need for an alarm system, but I'm 
having second thoughts.

Our boating friends have a nice F32 Trojan that's now been broken into 
twice in a month. Kids, and they've been caught after the 2nd time, but 
our friend has had to go meet the DNR cops twice, and will have 2 claims 
with separate deductibles, and will need to appear in court if he 
pursues restitution. (I personally would much prefer a more physical 
sort of restitution on the order of neutering, but I don't think the 
courts would cooperate). The damage is limited to broken glass, a 
jimmied & bent sliding door, and a dispirited feeling of violation.

It has caused me to reconsider our own situation. Our previous marina 
home was gated, with a bulldog-vigilant manager whose reputation for 
intolerance was well-known. In ten plus years there, I never heard of an 
incident. Our new marina home is not nearly as secure, and we'll be on 
the hard in another marina that is relatively secure, but not gated. 
Besides, I'm told by cop acquaintances that access is usually by water 
anyway.

I am considering adding a basic alarm system, with the thought that it 
doesn't have to be sophisticated, that an alarm that makes a lot of 
racket and lights the boat would be enough to persuade potential perps 
to select another target. I believe it may help me rest better, as well. 
I'm an hour away from the boat, monitoring doesn't seem to be a real 
priority, our normal circumstances are that the boat is not isolated, 
just somewhat vulnerable.

Any thoughts from the list on the pros & cons of alarm systems, and 
recommendations for what works best?

Steve Sipe
Solo 4303 "Maerin"
Upper Chesapeake