Locking sliding windows

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ronp

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So we're heading out in a few days and will be in several marinas surrounded by people we don't know. The boat has sliding windows, and they open wide enough for someone to climb in or reach in. We will be away from the boat some of the time.

Now, I know many people in a marina would take notice of someone climbing in the window of a boat, even if they didn't know the owner. But all the same, I'd feel better if I could lock them or at least make them difficult to open from outside.

Anyone had this problem and solved it?
 
Any hardware store has locks for sliders, however they are for home use. Go have a look and decide if they can be adapted to your sliders. Also, you could cut a strip to lay in the channel to prevent sliding.
 
The strip would work on the inside window but on the outer pane it could be lifted out.

Hardware stores? Is this like a glass display case lock in a store? Where you have sort of a hook and then a lock cylinder that slides onto it from inside? Can't say I've seen them in stores but I'll certainly look.
 
If you lock the window, the thief(s) will just break the glass to steal your stuff. Then you have to replace your stuff and the glass. Leave it unlocked and they may figure your stuff ain't worth stealing since you didn't lock it up. I lived in Kingston, Jamaica for about six months and never locked my car, never had anything stolen.
 
As stated, locks only keep honest people out. Boats are very simple to break-in to if somebody really wants to get in. If it's really a concern than perhaps you need to find someplace else to stay.
 
I'm well aware of and usually share the "need to go somewhere else if you are that concerned" point of view. That's why I don't stress over locking our house, and never lock the boat behind the house. There's generally not much on it to steal, and locking it defeats a neighbor being able to go on deal with an urgent problem when I'm not around.

But, there's a ramp up in attention getting between breaking a window or prying open my door or hatch vs sliding open a window. One can be explained by "I forgot my keys" and the others can't. One is noticeable by people not within sight, the other isn't.

And there's a point of view that says establishing that threshold makes someone move to the next target. I'm not talking Fort Knox here. Just a consistent level of security. It makes no sense have a door lock and a hatch that latches on the inside, then have windows that can just be slid open.

There's also a question of my wife's comfort level, which is not always based on strict logic.

So I am going to try to do this one way or another, even if it's just some sort of friction lock improvised from a doorstop, or a wedge of some kind. I see the ones Steve suggested, but those would only cover the inner pane.
 
There is a simple way to prevent the outer windows from being lifted out. Screw two or three short screws up into the frame, through the track. This will allow the window to continue sliding but will prevent it from being lifted up. If you ever need to remove a window, simply remove the screws and you're clear. i doubt a thief would be carryying a phillips screwdriver to remove some screws. It's simply not worth the effort. You can then go to a Lowes or Home Depot and get a sliding door lock. and/or a sliding window/display case lock. These will not prevent anyone from breaking a glass, but will add security. Hope this helps. Hy
 
I leave mine unlocked so I can crawl in through it when I forget or lose my keys. Also, the absolute garbage design of my cockpit door lock allows someone to accidentally move it to the locked position. Four guys fishing offshore and the door slams shut... and locked. Grrr...

If you really want to lock it, you can get a standard household thumbscrew window lock at Home Depot or Lowes. I think it will set you back $1.50.
 
Perko makes some simple chromed flip over pieces for this very purpose. Do a search on "Perko sliding window stop"
I have several on my boat, came with it.
 
depends on the frame, as George said most older Hatteras (back in the day when builders understood that boats should be able to have fresh air coming in...) have chromed flip thinghies.

otherwise a set screw in the track or piece of wood in the track can lock it.

also, most hardware store have transparent plastic flip ups that glues on the glass to lock the slider.
 
The difference between boat an home sliders is that often boat slider are on the outside because they maybe subject to wave action. This make all the usual home stuff unworkable.

Glass may be ordered drilled to accommodate any lock point you desire. Existing sliders on the outside if they have a hole may be set up with some hook and ring using the slider hole.
 
Bruce, that's my problem. I have two sliding panes on each window. Both move, and both open real wide. The flip up lock would work for the inner pane and be better than the Home Depot version, but would not work for the outer.

But actually, just looking at the item George suggested on a web site, I saw a related link for the "Perko sliding window lock and anti rattler". This is a rubber tipped thumbscrew arrangement I could mount on the inside. It looks like it could both lock the forward (outer) pane in place via friction and the inner by blocking it from sliding. Maybe install it a few inches forward of the closed position for the rear pane so I could leave that open a bit for ventilation if desired.

http://www.perko.com/catalog/category/cabinet_hardware/product/525/
 
quote:
Originally posted by Skeetobite

I leave mine unlocked so I can crawl in through it when I forget or lose my keys.
Click to expand...


Wouldn't it be easier to hide a key somewhere?
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

quote:
Originally posted by Skeetobite

I leave mine unlocked so I can crawl in through it when I forget or lose my keys.
Click to expand...


Wouldn't it be easier to hide a key somewhere?

Click to expand...


I should have said that I eave it unlocked when we're away from the dock or away from the boat in the dink ;-)

I hid the key a couple of times, but hate leaving the key around for fear of someone finding it, stealing the boat and the Insurance company denying the claim.
 
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