Clearly-high end squaters

Knot_Pursuit · Post by **Knot_Pursuit** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 1:28 pm

I have been busy with work and the house, but I got the boat all wrapped up, organized my tools ect, and prepped for the winter storage. I packed ALL of the pillows, throw blankets, regular blankets and towels up in the V-berth cleaned and folded before I put her away for the winter. I had tools stacked up on the table as a makeshift work bech during my winter projects. Anyway, I havent been there for about 5-6 weeks now, I stopped by to check on her last night, and grab a tool off the boat. Well.. it appears that someone has been staying on my boat. They dropped my Hi/low table, moved all of my tools to the galley counter top, grabbed some of the pillows out of the V-berth and put them on the couch. Also the V-berth was set up for sleeping. They were nice enough to leave a dozen or so coffee cups from 7 11 around the cabin. Now, lets get this out of the way, no one used the head THANK GOD!!!! NONE of my tools look like they are missing, just neatly placed elsewhere in the cabin. Now what!!!?!?!?! well I have locked the cabin. I removed the swim platform ladder...... I left a note stating that they weren't welcome there. Im guessing its someone down on their luck. Doesn't look like any teen age love shack. We have video surveillance at the yacht club, but its hard to see with the yard packed with boats. Tomorrow night I am heading there after work with a half dozen trail cams. I will be setting them up on the utility poles along the boarder of the club. I also plan on doing a full perimeter walk to look for and breach points in our fencing. I want to use the trail cams to find if anyone is accessing the area, what boats and to find any patterns like times, what days, what boats... Seeing as this person was respectful with my property, I want to treat them with respect aswell. I do not want to tear in at thsi guy, threaten him, beat him up or any of the like. I figure that if I address him with respect, and politely ask him to leave and let him know that he is not welcome there, it would be more productive than aggressive behavior. Ill buy the guy some food and give him a ride to a local shelter if he needs it. For the love of god, he still is human. I wont lie it is frustrating. I do feel like my privacy has been invaded, but not in a malicious manner. I have reached out to the the club to explain what has happened, and what the course of action should be. not aggressive, unless he brings it there, then its call the police. The club at this point is in agreement. we will deal with it accordingly. clearly he has good taste squating on a Bertram!!!!!!! Tom

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:10 pm

Tom I have never heard of such an occurrence before but there is always a first time. It sounds as if you are approaching this guy the right way IMHO. But I would be concerned that the club security is lacking.. if this guy can get into your boat I would wonder if anyone else with thoughts of theft can get into other boats. Our YC in MA had a well enforced rule that any ladders had to be chained to the boat cradle or something else solid. And these days game cameras are fairly cheap. But man.. I have to think that sleeping in an unheated boat in MA in December has got to be a cold proposition no matter how many blankets the guy found. Good luck!

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:11 pm

Well that answers the question if you could live on one of these during the winter... I guess you can't help but feel sorry for someone who needs to look for places to sleep during the winter.

Knot_Pursuit · Post by **Knot_Pursuit** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:15 am

FrankB, IT is well enforced that ladders be chained up at my club too. I dont even have a ladder at my boat. The swim platform ladder appears to be how access was gained. But I have removed that. our video surveillance is pretty ample for when boats are in the water. but when stacked up on land there, there is alot that cant be seen, as they are mounted high up on utility poles. get between the boats and you have been blocked by the boats. diligence is the key to stopping this from continuing. Tom

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:50 am

That wild Tom, but very believable these days. Think you're handling it the right way too. But you might want to take all those blankets and pillows off the boat. When we winterize, it's everything off the boat.....except like you, tools have to stay. But everything else including cushions, towels, blankets, life vests....everything. It's a good way to purge extra gear too, you find yourself picking up parts in the Spring saying "I never used that!" Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 7:24 am

Happens at PCYC all the time. We have a no unlocked ladders policy that is not very strict (though I usually let people have it if I see them doing it). My ladder is always locked, my shrink wrap goes over the swim platform, and the zipper for the door is at the top of the door so there's no getting in with out a ladder. I always empty the boat of TV's, electronics, flares, matches, lighters, food, valuables, etc..., and keep the boat unlocked. I leave it unlocked because I figure if they really want to break in they could and could wind up doing some damage. I may start taking unlocked ladders.

asher · Post by **asher** » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:51 pm

Never even considered that a possibility before. Now I know I have options for the next time I get thrown out of the house. All kidding aside, I hope the eviction of your unwanted tenant goes smoothly. Sounds like it should from the way you are handling the situation.

Capn Tony · Post by **Capn Tony** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:23 am

Had that happen to me when I owned my 31' Bert; only they used the head. I too left a few signs stating they weren't welcome

Knot_Pursuit · Post by **Knot_Pursuit** » Fri Jan 06, 2017 7:56 am

Its been over a week now, an I have not seen my new tenant, or heard from him. No signs of him on the boat either. I also lot a small SS cable through the zipper on the door, and locked it to the swim platform. cant open the zipper without unlocking.