By Dominic Abassi

‘Very disappointing:’ thieves steal three bathtub engines in May in Nanaimo

May 31, 2018 | 6:03 PM

NANAIMO — Bathtub racers are used to getting a rough ride out on the water, but this month they’re getting one before the boats are even launched.

A pair of bathtub engines were stolen early in the morning of May 23 from their storage spot in the Archie Johnstone complex near Diver Lake. Earlier this month, another avid Nanaimo racer had his tub motor stolen from the East Wellington area.

The most recent engines and their tubs belonged to Archie Johnstone and were raced by Brad Davis and Tyler Lucente, both employees of the company.

“It is very disappointing. The Archie Johnstone company has been involved in the bathtubs basically since it began and supported it in one form or another since then,” Davis told NanaimoNewsNOW. “To not have a motor to put on our tub right now is extremely disappointing.”

Davis said while both motors are normally locked up inside, they had just taken them out to start tuning them up for the first race of the season this weekend in Oak Bay. He said they used a forklift to put the motors on top of a storage container, but that didn’t stop the thieves.

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While the stock engines are worth about $1,000 apiece, Davis said “That doesn’t account for the time you put into maintaining and repairing them.”

Davis said many other tubbers have reached out to express their disappointment in the thefts.

“Everybody puts time and effort into these things because we love it and it’s a Nanaimo tradition we support fully,” he said, adding the suspects would’ve known the motors were tub engines and it’s sad that didn’t make them think twice.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said many other outboard motors have gone missing in recent months around the city.

“It’s a favoured item by thieves. There’s a high market value and they’re easily moved. Often they end up on Craigslist or eBay or at some crack-shack.”

In the May 23 incident, a Suzuki with the number 113 and a Yamaha with the number 013 were taken, although O’Brien said the numbers are likely scraped off by now.

He said RCMP see an increase in boat motor thefts at this time of year and urged people to keep them locked up, take pictures of them and record their serial numbers.

As for Davis’ race this weekend, there’s a bit of good news.

Longtime tubber Jaime Garcia offered to loan Davis an engine and he plans to be in the water in Oak Bay on Sunday. Beyond that, Davis said the crime won’t stop himself and Lucente from taking part in the Great Race this July.

“We’re definitely going to be back in action for that time, one way or another.”

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi