Stolen Boat - Reward Offered

[Luke]

I am posting this on behalf of a fellow Nautique owner who has had their boat stolen...

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$500 REWARD for information that leads to the recovery of boat and apprehension/conviction of those responsible for theft of boat from:

Sardis Lower Lake area, Sardis, MS 38666
(60 miles S/E of Memphis, TN and 20 miles N/W of Oxford, MS, 10 miles N/E of Batesville, MS)

On evening of 4/17/06 or early morning of 4/18/06.

2004 Correct Craft 216 Air Nautique LE, 5.7L PCM/GM engine, 330 HP Excalibur, Flight control tower, Teak Platform, Grey Custom Cover, on (white) RamLin tandem axle trailer.

Registration #'s on boat at time of theft were "AL 4501 LC". Bottom of Hull and top of deck are white with main hull accent color of tan with black accent stripe.

If you have any information about this boat, please contact:

Thurman Caldwell
662-562-4471 or 662-560-6800
thurmanc@itstimetoinsure.com

See Pictures Below
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[EchoLodge]

RE: Stolen Boat - Reward Offered

Sorry to hear about the loss. You folks with newer boats might want to consider leaving your GPS based cell phones in your boats when they are vulnerable. A well hidden phone can act as a poor man’s Lojack and aid in the recovery.

[ag4ever]

RE: Stolen Boat - Reward Offered

Unfortunatly, TN does not require a title for the sale of a boat nor registration, so it might be hard to locate.

That is where most boats are shipped for auction.

[jmo]

Sorry to hear about that - major bummer. Just out of curiousity, was it on the trailer when it was stolen? Did he have a padlock or anything on the ball latch? Mine stays on the trailer most of the time, so I'm interested in what countermeasures (if any) he had in place.

[ag4ever]

Even with the tongue locked, a boat can be stolen. All you need is a new coupler, as most are just bolted on. Two bolts, and the trailer is free, and replace them, and you now have thier trailer and boat. If you tag the coupler with a couple welds, then it becomes much harder, but no matter what you do, it is still possible to steal it.

[jroyal]

Wow. That boat was for sale in Montgomery, Alabama. I would assume the folks in Mississippi bought it from here. I recall seeing that boat in Montgomery while it was for sale. Hate to hear what happened to the new owners.

[dave210]

oh well collect insurance and replace with a v drive they make more

[jmo]

Even with the tongue locked, a boat can be stolen. All you need is a new coupler, as most are just bolted on. Two bolts, and the trailer is free, and replace them, and you now have thier trailer and boat. If you tag the coupler with a couple welds, then it becomes much harder, but no matter what you do, it is still possible to steal it.

Agreed - no matter what you do, if someone wants it bad enough they can steal it. However, the more one does to slow them down the less likely they will even try - especially if there are other boats in the area that are easier targets.

[ag4ever]

My dad always said, "You don't prevent them from stealing it, you just make the other person's property a better target."

When the club first came out he would park his car right next to the same model car if possible that did not have the club, and put the club on his car. You might not think that is right, but you have to protect your property the best you can.

[BigBald]

Kind of like running from a bear. You don't have to outrun the bear, you only need to be faster then you buddy.

[Luke]

The boat has been recovered by the authorities. I will post additional info when/if it becomes available.