Quebec boaters on edge after reported engine thefts

Boat owners in St-Anicet, Que. are worried after an alleged theft led to thousands of dollars in lost equipment.

Several boats sank in a Montérégie town after an alleged theft Friday. While provincial police investigate, some boaters say they lost thousands of dollars in equipment.

Saint-Anicet, Que., is a summer haven for Michel Beriault and Annie Huot, but their getaway took a dark turn last weekend.

Beriault said his propellers, which are worth $3,000 each, were stolen last Friday.

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For years, the couple have been docking at Marina Port-Royal, on Lake Saint-François, about 90 kilometres southwest of Montreal.

The site is under investigation by provincial police (SQ) who say another five boats were targeted for theft.

Their sterndrives — a type of engine that straddles the boat’s interior and exterior — were taken. Without them, boats can’t power through the water and if removed improperly, they can sink.

All five did.

Beruault, who owns a business that sells and repairs boat parts, said these engines can “easily cost $15,000” a piece.

To get the parts, thieves would have to go underwater to unbolt the engines which weigh over 130 kilograms each.

Yvon Lachance, who owns another marina on the lake, says this summer has been particularly bad for theft.

“It’s as if there’s an organized network on the lake,” he said.

Lachance said multiple pontoon boats have vanished this season, and sterndrives he kept in storage were also taken.

The SQ is investigating but refused to confirm additional details.

Another boater says his vessel was stolen the same night at Port-Royal. He declined an interview but told CTV News his boat was found heavily damaged 12 kilometres away.

He believes it was used to haul the stolen equipment.

Huot said this wasn’t the first incident. Just weeks ago, someone siphoned gas tanks.

“It’s worrying,” she said.

She says boaters here are increasingly on edge as the water level inside the boats rises.

On Sunday, Lachance and others spent hours bailing them out, but he’s not hopeful the boats can be saved.

“The motors are full of water, the boats are full of water,” said the owner of Marina Port-Lewis.

He says the damage to the engines and the hulls may be beyond repair. Some boat owners plan to install cameras and take extra precautions.

As the investigation continues, Huot and Beriault say they’ll still take their scheduled boat trip next week, hoping police catch whoever’s responsible and the lake feels safe again.