Thinking about this. Opinions, yes/no?
God Bless

Use the money towards a good alarm system

I would go with the alarm. Think about it. You have all to tools to tear it out if your boat is on the trailer. I think they are just like locks. They keep honest men honest.

I use my Lock R Bar when we leave the boat in the water overnight. This sure saves a lot of work toting everything back and forth. I don't use it when the boat is on the trailer.

I use mine when I'm on the road and am gonna stop for something to eat or run in a store. If I'm at the hotel I bring everything inside that I want to keep and open the lids if it isn't going to rain.
I'm waiting to see who is going to post how easy it is to use the winch strap to bust them off.

Yes, had mine for years. Never runs out of batteries, never short circuits, and I could use the bar to beat a thief over the head.

That is an urban legend about pulling it out with trailer winch. Loc R Bar offered a reward for anyone that could show proof it was possible. Also a local fiberglass shop tried it on a boat and it was not possible. Not enough force can be generated via the winch once its laid over the bow across the deck.

I know and it will be someone who "heard" about it. I do the same as you and use the bar for pit stops. I have had the bar on my last two boats and will never have a boat without one. They will hit the boat next to me before hitting mine.

That winch strap deal is a bunch of [censored], I just take a saw zaw and cut the ends loose from the fiberglass.

The noise of the saw zall will cover up the sound of the shot that I fire.

I have one on my boat as well as an alarm. It is a deterrant that will make theives go look some where else. Nothing is fool proof but I sleep well when I'm on the road and I have the bar in place.

As Puma Jim stated I'll never own a boat without one.

It is only a deterrent and not peace of mind. If a thief wants in they will get in period.

Two boats side by side, one has it and one does not, whom do you think the thief will hit first? They want a quick grab, not something they have to work at.

Hey guys if you are in the market for a awesome alarm system give me a shout! Or if you already have an alarm system in your boat and want to take to the next level?

When the MT301 Elite Alarm/Tracking device is activated by either shock or compartment door opening the alarm will sound locally at the asset and will send you a text and e-mail notification at the time of the event as well. It will also notify you via text and e-mail if your asset is moved in and/or out of a predefined area (Geo fence). The unit will send an update to your tracking portal once every 24 hours of the location of your asset or you can login to tracking portal and locate your asset at any time.

Our new MT301 elite package will include alarm system w/1 remote, MT301, Tracking portal, 1 year of data - $325.00
Or if you already have an alarm system and just need the MT301, Tracking portal, 1 year of data - $150.00
Additional yearly data plans are - $30.00

If you would like to set up a demo somewhere in the DFW area within reason I would love to so you how it works.

i have a loc-r-bar. If your boat doesn't have one and mine does. odds are you loosing your stuff. I have had one on every boat and never an issue.

Do what you want, I have said it before, take your stuff in, your basic locks should be fine while you stop and eat on road etc. Leave your boxes empty and unlocked at night on trips. They open them, they are empty, they move on. If they want in they will get it and you don't want them doing a bunch of damage trying to get into empty boxes. In my biz we leave cash registers open at night. The last thing I need is a crack head beating or doing a smash and grab on a register that costs more than what's in it. I take the same attitude with boat.

Good answer!!!
Made a BELIEVER out of me!
God Bless