: The simplest method I've used is a Krytonite 3' cable lock that goes around
: the rack and behind the cheek plates on the kayaks. I can actually lock
: two boats with a single cable.

: I also have a kayak lock with large loops that slip over the bow and stern,
: then lock around the rack. There is plenty of extra length that must be
: taken up, so I can also run the cable behind a cheek plate on a second
: boat, if I'm carrying a pair. If I'm only carrying one boat, I wind the
: extra cable length around the rack.

: Either one of these methods will require a thief to cut a heavy cable or
: damage the boats in order to steal them. Thieves are inherently lazy, or
: they wouldn't be thieves in the first place. They are also typically in a
: hurry, in order to minimize the chances of detection. Unless they really
: want your specific boats badly, they won't bother with boats that are
: locked if there are others round that can be stolen with a couple of
: swipes of a knife blade across the tie-down straps.

: This brings to mind another question. Does anyone make tie down straps that
: are hard to cut (vinyl coated, flat braided steel, perhaps?) and have
: locking buckles? That would be a nice, dual purpose product. Hmmm. Anyone
: got any spare change they want to invest in a new product?

Everyone has covered the HD cables and locks for when your boat is on your car but what about when it's at the beach and you have to go back for another load to the car thats 1/4 mile away, with you boat left unattended?

I rigged a RadioShack personal alarm inside my cockpit. The alarm is 2x2x1" and has a belt clip on it. I clip the siren to the back of my backband. It has a pull key that sets off a 120db siren. I attach a short nylon string to the pull key and attach the other end to a tent stake that is pushed into the ground. If someone moves the boat the pull key comes out of the alarm and sets off an ear piercing 120db siren. even 25' away it hurts my ears. The siren cannot be disarmed without reinserting the pull key. I doubt anyone could stand the noise long enough to find the siren, remove it and destroy it before I returned with my friends Smith and Wesson.

Larry C.