How many of you do this?

[nimmor]

This is not really a stupid trick but this seemed like the best place for it. I usually fish by myself so I launch by myself, meaning I leave the boat unattened by the ramp while I park. So I don't grab the keys to the boat until I park the truck. The last couple of times I have forgot and left the keys in the truck, of course I have already untied and pushed the boat off the shore. Luckly I have a trolling motor. Troll back to the shore, tie off, and walk back up to the truck to fetch the keys.

 

[skargo]

Re: How many of you do this?

My keys stay in the ignition.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How many of you do this?

My keys stay in the ignition.

+1.......24/7/365 unless it's in a slip

 

[12vMan]

Re: How many of you do this?

My keys stay in the ignition.

+2 unless I leave it in a slip or at the courtesy dock for an extended period of time. Unless there's a lot of riff-raff who you don't trust hanging around the launch area I would leave 'em in for the 5 - 10 min. it takes to get the truck.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: How many of you do this?

Same as all above. They never leave the boat. Also, I don't untie from the dock until motor is running.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: How many of you do this?

Yup, keys stay on the boat, spare set in truck just incase there lost. But, like above, I would never push of the beach or dock until my motor had warmed up to proper operating temp.

 

[larsonrider]

Re: How many of you do this?

Keys stay in the boat.

 

[QC]

Re: How many of you do this?

Keys stay in the boat.

I actually consider this a safety item. Key's stay in the ignition under all conditions unless she's going ni-night . . . even then they stay on the boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How many of you do this?

When I trailer, I take the key out of the ignition and drop them in the console compartment, so they won't blow/bounce out on the ride. Extra key is in the tool box on board, and another is in the car. If you drop your key overboard when you are away from shore you will wish you had the spare on board. And while key floats never fail, the string or chain or ring between the key and the float will. BTDT.

At a ramp: it is seriously unlikely that anyone is going to take off with your boat, unless you are at a seriously ghetto launch (and we have some around here!). I wouldn't think twice about leaving the keys in, amd it shjold be part of the launch check list.

Even in slips and moorings, the main reason you don't leave your key in the ignition or otherwise visible is not so much for thieves who would steal the boat as for joyriders who would "borrow" it. Keep an honest man honest. I often leave mine in the marsh and take off walking, so i won't carry the key for risk of droppnig it miles away, but I might not leave it dangling, either.

Another reason to pull the key out overnight is to verify that the ignition is off and so you don't drain your battery. That's why I pull it in remote locations, but leave it aboard.

But think twice about leaving keys in when there are little ones about.

 

[cribber]

Re: How many of you do this?

If the covers are off my boat the key stays in the ignition. Not to mention I keep a set of spare boat and tow vehicle key in the bilge area with a couple of spare plugs.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: How many of you do this?

I used to put the keys in the boat ignition when I test ran it either the night before or that morning, then left them in there for the 1/2 mile ride to the ramp. Also a spare set of keys for the boat ON the boat (hidden) and in the truck. A spare set of truck keys on the boat...don't ask why!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: How many of you do this?

I keep the boat keys in my truck, along with a spare set, also in the truck. I keep a spare set of keys on the boat at all times. I keep a spare truck key hidden within the body panels of the truck. I like the idea of keeping a spare truck key on the boat, though. I'll do that, too, in the very near future. The boat keys are part of my check list. Keys have never been an issue... no mishaps, yet. If I ever do slip up, I'm covered. These things may seem to be overkill to some; but I won't be unprepared.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: How many of you do this?

Even on a lake I will never throw off the last line until the motor is running smooth. On a river or where there is a tidal current pushing off with a boat that may not start can get you in a lot of trouble quick. Remember the upstream line is the last one cast off to keep from getting twisted up and bound tight to the dock at a right angle or worse.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: How many of you do this?

My keys are always in the ignition!

I always leave the dock with my trolling motor before starting the outboard so as not to take up valuable dock space. If the outboard doesn't crank I'll still go fishing for a while if I want to.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: How many of you do this?

Keys are always in the ignition. I don't think anyone around here is interested in stealing a houseboat, and if they do, the boat is well known enough that it wouldn't be more than a couple hours before it was chased down.

Only boat on the lake covered in tropical houseplants....

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: How many of you do this?

My keys stay in the ignition.

+1 ahmen

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: How many of you do this?

The key comes out ?

 

[mbhoag]

Re: How many of you do this?

Notes to myself:
Make several spare boat keys (1 is not enough)
Leave one in vehicle
Hide one in Boat
Put one in ignition
Put spare vehicle key in Boat
Don't push off until motor is running... unless you want to swim upstream towing boat

 

[veritas honus]

Re: How many of you do this?

Notes to myself:
Make several spare boat keys (1 is not enough)
Leave one in vehicle
Hide one in Boat
Put one in ignition
Put spare vehicle key in Boat
Don't push off until motor is running... unless you want to swim upstream towing boat

...And there you have it.

 

[skargo]

Re: How many of you do this?

I'm actually going to put a push start ignition in my boat when I redo the gauges this winter, but I will probably have a hidden kill switch for when I slip it unattended.