lost keys help?

I recently bought a 1993 northwood fish &ski boat , and i lost the keys what is the best thing to do get a new ignition or can they make me another key.how hard is it to replace the switch? Does anyone know if northwood boats has a website?

Re: lost keys help?

Welcome to iboats.

I don't think northwoods has a site. I'm sure they don't make their own switches, or keep records of which switch went into each boat.
Northwoods doesn't even make their own hulls.

Depends on what type of ignition switch you have.
Some are pretty generic and only have a dozen or so keys.
You can go to a boat dealer that sells the same brand of outboard, and ask if they have a key.

Others have the ignition switch in the controls, a dealer may be able to get you a key also.

Other switches are stand alone, usually in the dash. Probably easier to buy a new switch if this is what you have.

Re: lost keys help?

Take out the switch and take it to your local locksmith. If they can't help you then just buy a new switch.

Re: lost keys help?

look where the key goes, in the switch, should be numbers imprinted around the key. the dealer can get you a key.

Re: lost keys help?

Let's back up here a bit. First, Northwood likely would not have a clue about the switch or key since it is part of the engine wiring harness and would carry either a part number from Mercury, Johnson/Evinrude, Yamaha, or whatever engine is on the boat. As was mentioned, check the switch for a letter or number adjacent to the key hole. Take that code to any dealer that sells your particular engine. Buy one key and on the way home stop at any hardware store and have a bunch of extras made (or just buy a few extras). If you can't find a code on the switch, take the boat to an "engine" dealer and have them use their "try-out" set. There are just a few different keys so this process would only take a couple minutes.

Re: lost keys help?

thanks guys i put a new ignition switch today and that seemed to be the easiest way to go.

Re: lost keys help?

You spent how much for a new switch, plus the time to put it in, when you could have spent two bucks for a key?