Boat Key Question

[hostage]

Do most boats use the same key blank? More specifically stern drive boats.

Thanks,

Hostage

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Boat Key Question

Not sure about blanks, but a wlile bacck I misplaced the keys to the boat and pop a lock came out and made me some vkeys. Boat was in the water and dude popped out the ignition switch and cut one. Hope this helps.
Good luck

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat Key Question

The key blank will likely be unique for each manufacturer but that depends on where the manufacturer gets the switches from. If you broke a key, check the code on the key. You can get a replacement from the dealer. If you lost the key, check the area around the key hole. If you see a code letter or number, that's all you need. Again the dealer can provide one. You can also take the boat to the dealer and they will use their "try out ring" (trial and error) to find the correct one. There aren't that many different keys.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Boat Key Question

A lot of them are the same, which is why I always carry my old camper shell key. It is worn and with a little jiggling I can almost always get it to work when someone forgets to leave their key for service.

Answer me this, been a mystery to me forever. Why do people remove the keys from their boats when they store them in the garage? Is someone NOT going to steal a $20k boat because there is no key in it? Geese a whole ignition switch is only $15 and you don't have to tear up a steering column to change it. I can see it if the boat is slipped, but no so much if it is covered in the driveway. Would you take your car for service lock it up and take the keys home with you?

I now return you to your regularly scheduled soap box.

 

[jp10]

Re: Boat Key Question

Hopefully not hi-jacking, but do people store a spare key on their boat? If so, what are some good, dry hiding places? I have a deck boat with very little cubbies or storage.
Thanks

 

[djspady]

Re: Boat Key Question

I just had a spare key made for my Cobalt at the local hardware store. The only unique part is the plastic cover with the logo. My local hardware guy even do the ones with chips in them.

I keep an extra key at the Marina repair shop in case I forget mine or want them to do something.

 

[jp10]

Re: Boat Key Question

I am more worried about a day spent beached on an island, ready to leave and one of my brother's kids has decided to bury the key because it seemed fun.

 

[hostage]

Re: Boat Key Question

A lot of them are the same, which is why I always carry my old camper shell key. It is worn and with a little jiggling I can almost always get it to work when someone forgets to leave their key for service.

Answer me this, been a mystery to me forever. Why do people remove the keys from their boats when they store them in the garage? Is someone NOT going to steal a $20k boat because there is no key in it? Geese a whole ignition switch is only $15 and you don't have to tear up a steering column to change it. I can see it if the boat is slipped, but no so much if it is covered in the driveway. Would you take your car for service lock it up and take the keys home with you?

I now return you to your regularly scheduled soap box.

Keys keep people honest and people take them with them, since it is a force of habit.

I keep my boat keys in my Towing Vehicle. My g/f has a spare set too.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: Boat Key Question

I keep one set of keys in the house and the spare set in the glove compartment of the boat.. The boat is stored in the garage.. Really the only reason I don't leave the key in the ignition is out of fear that it'd blow out of the boat when towing it. I guess I could just tether the ignition key to the steering column or something.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Boat Key Question

I doubled up on the spare keys. I would leave the house and forget the boat key and always afraid that I would be on the boat and loose the truck key. So...I kept spare boat keys in the glovebox of the truck (and a spare on the boat) and a spare set of truck keys on the boat. Of course, this insured that I never lost a set of keys!

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Boat Key Question

Hopefully not hi-jacking, but do people store a spare key on their boat? If so, what are some good, dry hiding places? I have a deck boat with very little cubbies or storage.
Thanks

How about under a seat? You can use a zip-tie to attach the key since it's unlikely you'll need to use it often.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Boat Key Question

I always have a spare key in the glove compartment, up in Canada in the wild you do not want to misplace a key.

 

[PitchFork]

Re: Boat Key Question

Answer me this, been a mystery to me forever. Why do people remove the keys from their boats when they store them in the garage? Is someone NOT going to steal a $20k boat because there is no key in it?

If one has kids and they one day play in the boat and start it = dead impellar if left on too long dead engine.

Just a thought although I have kids 9+ years old and I leave the key in the ignition in the garage uncovered.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Boat Key Question

...Really the only reason I don't leave the key in the ignition is out of fear that it'd blow out of the boat when towing it...

That has always been my fear! Get to ramp and dang key be missing. I've always taken key from ignition and placed in glovebox. I keep spare in glovebox of tow vehicle although zip tie'ing it under seat makes more sense. Both keys are also on a key float.

The locking box on the Tidewater is a different key than ignition. On a whim, I tried the storage compartment key from our motorhome and it works perfect. Almost all storage compartments on RVs uses the EXACT same key.

We were camping at lake and when some friends arrived with their Coleman popup camper they found out they left camper keys at home. We just rode around until we found a similar aged Coleman popup and had them unlock it for him.

 

[tjhalliday]

Re: Boat Key Question

Were like Fireman431. Spare keys everywhere. Don't want to have something happen and be without a key. Good hints on some of the places to tether and keep the keys though.
TJ

 

[rednecktech00]

Re: Boat Key Question

I pull my key because I can just picture someone climbing in and starting it up.

 

[dan t.]

Re: Boat Key Question

Ever since I drove 90 miles just to find that the boat keys were at home I keep a set with my vehicle keys. btw just a generic ignition switch in my boat,buy them at napa or any auto supply store