Theft of sailing gear is much more common at yacht club or marina parking lots & docks. I've "lost" drain plugs, battens, tiller stick handles, blocks, etc. Ususally, they've been "borrowed" right before a regatta, but they never seem to be "returned". I now have locks on my storage boxes,

seems to stop these "crimes of convenience".

I had my motorboat storage shed broken into, they took radio & speakers, but left all the PFDs & skis, tow ropes, anchor, battery, etc.

As other posters have shown, if a thief can't sell it, or can't use it, it stays.