T&T: Burglar alarms - closing the barn door

[Milt Baker]

Anchored off Ibiza in the Balearic Islands last summer, Bluewater took a
significant hit from a thief of thieves: three computers, a camera, an iPod
(with a LOT of music and the backup on one of the stolen computers), and a
wallet.  Although we (and our dog!)were sleeping aboard at the time, an
electric fan masked any noise and it was clear the intruder(s) had no interest
in confrontation. While we slept peacefully below, our goods were silently
removed from the boat, with the loss not discovered until morning.  We're
about 99% certain all doors were locked and know all windows were closed and
locked, so we're quite certain entry was through an open hatch in the
pilothouse.  We found a pilothouse door unlocked in the morning, which is how
the exit took place.  All the missing stuff was taken from the pilothouse and
saloon.

Although the original horse is gone, it's time to close the barn door because
we're collecting new horses.  I am interested in installing a system which
would help prevent another such incident.  My approach is to find a system
that will detect a threat early--before someone is aboard the boat.  I want
one which will and sound an alarm and turn on floodlight(s) when someone is
approaching--in other words, awaken us and frighten 'em off BEFORE then come
aboard!  The components have to be small enough collectively to mule to Spain
in a suitcase.

My primary focus is on security at anchor, where we spend much of our time
with hatches open overnight, rather than in marinas where overnight we
generally keep the boat locked up with an air conditioner running.
Preliminary research has led me to conclude that a wireless burglar alarm
system, with a couple of twists, might be a good approach. Wireless makes
sense to me because it minimizes or eliminates cable runs yet seems to provide
a reliable deterrent.  In its simplest form, such a system would have a
plug-in control console about the size of a small answering machine which
would communicate wirelessly with interior and exterior motion detectors, a
couple of loud sirens, flashing interior lights, and a bedside panic button to
set things off, plus relays to automatically turn on AC or DC powered external
floodlights.  Battery powered window, door and hatch sensors are also
available but probably unnecessary for my needs, though I'll probably install
a sensor on the lazarette hatch.  Several such systems which seem to meet most
but not all of my needs are shown at:
http://www.x10.com/security/index.html#wireless_systems  I have no connection
with this company and have not decided that their systems are the best for my
needs.

Before going further, I'm wondering what the experience and consensus of the
group is. Is this a viable approach for my needs?  Are there better ideas?
What experience, if any, do you have with onboard security systems?  Is there
something else you recommend that might meet my needs?

I should add that we are prepared to deal with the threat in other ways that
I'd just as soon not detail here. Suffice it to say that anyone who comes
onboard in the middle of the night uninvited stands a good chance of not
having a good visit, especially if the alarm system awaken us and does not
sent him/them away!

All comments and ideas are welcome.

Many thanks,

--Milt Baker, Nordhavn 4732 Bluewater, Barcelona