Insurers and police forces in several countries report a steady rise in outboard motor theft, with portable motors and popular mid-range four-strokes the most common targets. A stolen motor is usually sold on quickly through informal channels, so prevention and traceability matter far more than recovery.
Practical protection
Record your serial number and photograph the motor, including the serial plate and any distinguishing marks. Fit a quality outboard lock on the transom clamps — it will not stop a determined thief with tools, but most thefts are opportunistic. Where possible, keep portable motors locked away rather than on the boat.
Marking schemes help: a discreetly etched or UV-marked motor is harder to sell on and easier for police to return. Check your insurance covers the motor both on and off the boat, and whether there are security conditions in the policy.
Buying safely
The other side of theft is the market for stolen motors. A price that is far too good, a seller with no fixed address, or a missing serial plate are all red flags. Buying from an established dealer with published terms and a real business identity — like ours — is the simplest protection there is.