Painted engine stolen from Loch Tummel sailing club

Aug 17 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

CONCERNED sailors in Highland Perthshire have taken to daubing state-of-the-art equipment with ugly paint in an effort to deter thieves.

But the tactic did not stop opportunistic crooks from raiding Loch Tummel Sailing Club’s headquarters on the outskirts of Pitlochry recently and making off with an outboard motor and control panel.

The nautical goods, believed to be worth in the region of £4000, were taken from a rescue boat sometime between midnight on August 5 and 8.45am the following morning.

The theft means that one of the club’s four safety vessels, currently moored on the loch, is now out of commission, and will remain so until replacement equipment is bought.

Commodore Mark Barron said the incident has angered members in what is the club’s 50th anniversary year.

The experienced yachtsman said: “Everyone’s really annoyed about it. The engine is about two feet wide and about a foot in diameter, it would take two people to lift it.

“It’s obviously been taken by someone who knows what they’re doing. It’s very frustrating because it’s not the first time this has happened.

“Somebody stole an engine last September, which was never returned. After that, we painted them all a horrible yellow colour to try to make them look less valuable.

“We’re in the process of getting the money back through our insurers, but these things take time.”

Mr Barron said each of the club’s 200-or-so members was determined not to let the robbery put a stop to their regular regattas and weekend club meets.

The next event planned to celebrate the club’s landmark anniversary will take place over the weekend of September 18 and 19.

In a separate incident, a blue Laser 2000 dinghy vanished from the Foss sporting complex sometime between August 1 and last Sunday.

A spokesperson for Tayside Police said the fibreglass boat has an aluminium mast and was stolen along with a trailer and launching trolley.