Seeing an ever increasing number of kayaks going missing, I'm thinking of registering my yak just because of the TX numbers. I realize that one of the draws to the yak is lack of registration, but it is a substantial investment. The numbers on the side is only to keep an honest man honest, but tell me what you think.

Insurance is only $130 a year on mine and trailer

Just adding registration numbers to your kayak isn't going to stop a thief, powerboats get stolen too.

All you can do is preventative measures. I carry insurance on my kayaks and trailer in case of theft when I'm traveling.

My insurance breaks down like this:

4 Kayaks - Insured Value: $2,600 - Yearly Premium: $34
Misc. Boating Equip. - Insured Value: $1,912 - Yearly Premium: $26
1 Trailer - Insured Value: $2,000 - Yearly Premium: $21
2 Kayaks Watercraft Liability - Yearly Premium: $32

As of right now my Total Yearly Premium is $113. However, I'll have to start paying for the Watercraft Liability on my two other kayaks in December when their policy get's renewed (it's included as of now), so my Total Yearly Premium will jump up to $145. The $16 per vessel fee for Watercraft Liability was started in April; I'm not sure I like having to carry watercraft Liability for each kayak. The Misc. Boating Equipment only covers paddles, pfd's, seats, anchors, and anything permanently attached to my kayak (ie anchor trolley). All my other equipment will be covered by my renter's insurance.

I have $50 deductibles for each kayak and Misc. boating Gear, while my trailer has $100 deductible. Each kayak has a limit of Liability of $500,000 for Watercraft Liability and $5,000 for Medical Payment.

I'll have insurance on mine from now on

Who do you have yours through Josh? Mine is coming up for renewal and that is better than what I am getting.

This is a great thread. Thanks for the info, I never considered insurance on my yaks, but this is something that I will definitely have to look into.

I need to check into this too. Makes sense to insure my kayaks, you never know what could happen these days.

All of my kayaks are one of a kind colors. Ins would be nice but then again most ins companys are worse than the theives stealing your stuff...imo.

Put the hull number in your phone, so you can get it entered into TCIC/NCIC immediately if it's stolen. Do the same with the serial numbers on any firearms you routinely carry. And use a waterproof marker to put a unique number, like your DL number, somewhere inside the boat, out of view, in case the thief obliterates or alters the hull number (very easy to do). Your best chance at recovery is right after it's stolen. You can't imagine how frustrating it is to stop a crook with property you know is stolen, and have to let him go with it because it's not entered as stolen. Lock the boat to your truck with a cable through the scupper; that will deter most thieves. The ones driving around looking for yaks, and equipped to steal them, are probably going to get your boat if you aren't right there.

Germania



I have copies of all my MSO's, pictures of the serial numbers, and the serial numbers registered with the insurance company. I've also replicated the serial # within the hull since it's easy to remove the etched # from the hull. Of course, my kayaks are locked down when I'm not near them.

Thanks!



I go to a pet store and get one of the brass tags engraved with the serial number and add it to a bolt on the foot pegs or zip tie it to a scupper inside the hull, easy to read and show knowledge of proof of ownership.

I like that idea.