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Sup.
I got this Canadian Canoe see, and I want to store it under my shed.
The shed is on big, heavy timber 'skids' planted onto brick pillars. This has given me enough room to slide the canoe underneath the shed, except that it was a bit long and a quarter of the boat stuck out. I have been building an extension deck to allow for that and cover it, but securing the boat is what I'm asking about here.
I have a few of my own ideas but wanted to see if the STW massive might come up with a simple idea that I'm missing?
The shed/boat scenario looks a bit like this sketchup montage below.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48788142701_6ea5de93ee_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48788142701_6ea5de93ee_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2hkeZ5a ]decking[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/79912681@N06/ ]blackteaonesugar[/url], on Flickr
When the boat is slid under, you cannot physically slide it out of the other side, as there is decking there and a big heavy wooden joist prevents it. You cannot slide it out from either side as the big wooden skids the shed rests on prevent that.
So basically, I need a locking system that physically prevents the boat from being slid out of the front there.
It's not really any good locking the actual boat, as it only has timber seat rails which could be sawn easily, so really the only option I can see is to make it a massive PITA to get the boat past something which is locked.
I suppose I could potentially concrete something into the ground below, but access now isn't great as the deck is already up.
I had thought of some sort of rod or rods that could be pushed down through the deck into the boat cavity and then somehow locked on the top of the deck. This would expose it to fairly easy attack I reckon.
Another thought I had was some sort of metal bar running full width across, with a metal hoop welded to it. From the side you would turn the rod, lowering the hoop into the boat and then somehow locking the rod in position, if you see what I mean.
Another idea would be a lift-off metal gate of some kind, but I would need a way of securing it well. I'd also probably have to make the gate myself with my Mig welder I guess.
Anyone got any bright ideas, terrible canoe-related puns or anything else they'd like to chip in with?
I currently have the boat locked through the seat rails and wrapped around one of the brick pillars, but to do that I have to crawl under the shed with all the spiders and scary stuff so not ideal.
Just build a plywood gate so people can't see it and that locks to the uprights - if people can't see what's there they're less likely to nick it and it's a lot of effort for something tricky to sell.
Any security will only be as good as the wooden piles the shed is resting on - if they want it they'll just cut through them.
A couple of removable / folding parking bollards set in concrete.
And a plank with wheels on one end and a handle on the other so that you can put the boat on it upside down( to keep the rain out) and wheel it in / pull it out.
Could you do a reverse locking parking post, ie upside down so it goes into boat or could boat be rolled off it
Or a droppable metal u hoop that boat nose is wedged up into (assuming boat can’t be backed up out of hoop)
Also can you camo it so it can’t be easily seen
The picture there is misleading. There isn't really wooden piles as such. There is a brick pillar in each corner. Spanning the long length of each pillar is a timber joist about 6x10 inches or something, so you can't really cut through the timber or else the shed would be on top of you.
There is about 450mm I'd say from the ground to the underside of the decking.
This is more like it.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48787920628_2e6484a74c_h.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48787920628_2e6484a74c_h.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2hkdR4j ]canoe2[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/79912681@N06/ ]blackteaonesugar[/url], on Flickr
Is canoe theft a big issue where you are then ?
Most people I know cant lift them, let alone manouvre them out on to a vehicle with roof bars, strap them on and drive off with them ?
Mine hang off straps on the fence
Wouldn’t a simple drop bar (Think castle gateways) fixed to the two central posts, one end fixed with a coach bolt so it hinges and one end locating in a lockable hasp do the job?
Is canoe theft a big issue where you are then ?
Most people I know cant lift them, let alone manouvre them out on to a vehicle with roof bars, strap them on and drive off with them ?
It's on an allotment, right on the river. Across the river is a public park which the shed can be seen from. The river has public hire canoes going right by so lots of public pass it potentially. There is a launching spot for a boat in front of the shed, so all round, it's fairly well seen, though you can't directly see under the shed from across the river.
The brick pillars are set back under and so I wouldn't want to have to crawl under each time to lock/unlock it.
I know someone who has drilled some holes in the bow and fitted eyelets, you can then slip a bike lock through them.
How about, cut a slot in the shed floor 3" wide, piece of steel long enough to bottom out on the canoe and padlock it to an L shaped bracket that's bolted to the shed floor (may contain trip hazard)
Dig a trench under the shed between the pillars, like a mechanics inspection pit ,with a ramp out at the front and some turf covered doors which rise up to either side.
Play the Thunderbirds theme tune through a PA system everytime you "launch"
How’re your painting skills?
Trompe-l'œil hole or cracking in the bow.
Here’s one from French artist Pierre Huyghe*
[img] 
[/img]
*bet he’s a big artist
Just drill* a hole in the canoe and use a padlock and chain to secure it.
HTH.
*don’t
trellis in front with some
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4mX6m-Army-Camouflage-Net-Camo-Netting-Camping-Shooting-Hunting-Hide-Woodland-UK/292258147544?var=591164631949&hash=item440bf16cd8:m:mkaI7mptVwNk6tii7hvLcug
Hang a sign on it: "FREE TO COLLECTOR - BADLY DAMAGED CANOE".
Do you have holes drilled for a end loop? Would a cable lock not fit through with some kind of ground anchor on the brick posts?
Alternatively a loop of chain big enough to go round the front of the canoe (but not back too far) then the chain running to one of the brick posts and a big padlock?
As long as canoe cannot move backwards and the chain cannot be pulled forward canoe is secure?
You should drill some holes anyway. This is the only safe way to attach painters not just fastening them to the deck handles which are only riveted on.
http://frontierbushcraft.com/2013/09/19/outfitting-my-canoe-ray-goodwin/
Well, you're getting me thinking anyway.
I'm off out for a paddle in my canoe to think some more....If it's still there that is.
I'm of the view that hiding it in a locked wooden box would be far better than locking it up.
Matt.
Owner of 2x canoes. Ex custodian of upto 30 canoes and kayaks. Including urban settings in Liverpool. Therefore well qualified to speak about this.
Fasten a loop of wire to the far end, as in geomickb's link, and lock that to the back of the shed. Also put a plywood gate in front to hide as per wwaswas and matt_oab.
Also, swap it for a green one, it will be less obvious, and anyone who knows about canoes will tell you that green ones are faster.
Drive scaffold tubes of suitable length thro holes in floor at rear to push end of boat between one tube thro front deck slide boat in and chain boat to this also hide it behind some stuff. Fill rest of space with suitable drums tied to deck for when river floods collect shed from downstream after the flooding prob ought to lock our 4 boats to something soon to be 5😳
green ones are faster.
Damn right they are.
Put it under the shed/deck. Fill it with water. It will be immovable. Use a 12v pump and a length of hose to empty it when you want to use it.
Given that the primary risk you cite appears to be "people might see it but probably won't," throw a tarpaulin over its nose.
Thanks cougar. I'm not really citing anything other than a desire to lock it effectively. As I say, it's on an allotment and we get shed break ins relatively frequently. Anything of value can go walkies. My other shed got broken into and my bag of deliberately rubbish hand tools got taken.
It's already covered but you get all sorts poking about so locking, or at least making it a nightmare to steal is the one.
It's ten feet to the river so most likely to be of interest to crazy drug-fuelled Canadian canoe joy riders.
At the beach where we keep our boats we simply run a wire strop from the boat to a buried tyre (many don't even do that).
It's a really busy beach and we've never had an issue.
If people can't nick something in seconds they're not going to bother..... Just make it awkward for them.
You have insurance on the kayak?
I'd prob be locking it with the timber seat rails, the logic being that by sawing through them the would-be thief will be devaluing the thing that they are trying to steal, non?
Nah man. Boat is still worth a bit with only having to repair a wooden section.
Plus I'm trying to do it without having to scramble about on me belly under a damp, creepy crawly infested shed. 😂
Can you build a gate in front of it under the decking?
That boat is going to be full of creepy crawlies getting stored under there. Company for the paddle I guess.
Have had a few and similar scenarios, I’m with first make it hard to see/notice. If I could get it properly underneath, (even if it needs digging out at the back) and then a ply front, door/gate that can be locked. We also ran a couple of cables through handles and seats, yes they could be cut but if someone wants it, they will have it. So for me it’s, not being seen and then making it difficult.
Can you build a gate in front of it under the decking?
That boat is going to be full of creepy crawlies getting stored under there. Company for the paddle I guess
I think that's the route I'm heading. Might weld up a removable gate, so I don't have to drag the boat over the gate each time.
Yeah the creepy crawlies are already showing themselves when I have nowhere to go but into the mighty raging river beneath me! Might have to get a cover.