We usually locked the boat in most places we stop.  We have been boarded
several times (twice in the US--once in Greece, once in Yugoslovia)--have
friends who have been extensively robbed.  We also had steel combination lock
safes glassed into the hull, in hidden locations for real valuables.

We leave keys in an accessiable location inside--our boats had outside helms.

We would go as far as we wished from the tender.  The only tender we had
stolen was cabled by the tow ring to the boat (It was a new boat, and I had
not put a eye bolt thru the transom, and peened the head over)--most likely
stolen by Green Peace--in Boston Harbor!

If there was any question we locked the dinghy, if we were going a long way we
definately locked the dinghy.  We carried motor bikes; either two 50 cc or one
80 cc.  We took these bikes ashore in calm conditions (hoisted them off the
boat when next to docks, but never left them ashore).  So we would go 50 to
100 miles from the boat if we wished.  Walking--long ways, including bus trips
to other towns.

Always bring the tender aboard the boat at night!  Make sure that the dinghy
lift makes this easy.

As said--it is the  beaches open to the wind and seas, surf, wide beaches.
The sand is different (coarser) than Gulf Coast sand.  Gulf Cost sand is very
fine and quartz silica.

We had both wheels and two dinghies.  On our Calif. To Europe trip, we had a
13 foot inflatable and a 10 foot had dinghy--with a 4.5 hp.  The 10 footer was
light enough for the two of us to carry (we were much younger then~!).  The
Cal 46 from Alaska to Florida, we had a 12 1/2 foot RIB with wheels, and we
had a 7 foot dinghy with a 3.5 hp.  I suggest a second motor for several
reasons.  We use the 3.5 as a "kicker" on the larger RIB for long trips.  The
7 footer with 3.5 hp weight is about 60 lbs, and easily carried up a beach.
I used to row a lot (dories and whitehall type of boats), but I don't like
rowing an inflatable.  We also advocate a second dinghy as a back up, if the
dinghy comes adrift, if it is stolen--and the case where the crew may want to
go different ways.

Distance from the "ship"--up to 30 miles--plenty of conficence in the RIB,
with the kicker, VHF radio, Sounder, Hand held Chart plotter, along with
survival gear--never major problems, I couldn't handle....

I also use the brass locks--but the slide on motor lock is really easy to cut
thru--not worth a lot--so I would cable or chain the engine to the eye bolt
with high test chain and good security locks also.

We carry 15 to 20 foot vinly coverd cable and a couple of locks for securing
the dinghy.  Also if you have oars, be sure and have holes in the blades or
some other ways of locking them.  Do not leave anything in the dinghy---have a
back pack to take your safety grear if you leave the dinghy.

Regards,

Bob Austin

Would anyone know of a thick locking cable equal to or better than the Abus
Cobra Loop 20 mm / 500 cm, which unfortunately is a discontinued product.

http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?ScreenLang=us
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170231&select=0106b03&artikel=4003318111679t>
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Thorstein Midttun
NORNA