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Author Topic:   Hide a Key

contender posted 07-09-2014 12:47 PM ET (US)
Do any of you keep a hide a key on board?
Binkster posted 07-09-2014 12:55 PM ET (US)
If we do, do you want also to know where the key is, and where the boat is located?? LOL
rich
macfam posted 07-09-2014 01:42 PM ET (US)
Yes.
Only HAD to use it once.........but glad I had it.
I found the original key in a sweatshirt pocket when we got back to port.
jimh posted 07-09-2014 02:28 PM ET (US)
A key for what lock?
contender posted 07-09-2014 02:59 PM ET (US)
To start the engine. I have seen people drop their keys in the water with no float,(yes I have one on mine) just thinking if anyone here keeps a spare on board (hidden) all the time. I just hid one on my boat thinking about it. Not so much for me but now my son will start using the boat alone, and anything that I can do to prevent a problem(either his fault or not) I would like to try and cover it...
jimh posted 07-09-2014 03:09 PM ET (US)
I have a spare engine ignition key on my boat. It is not really hidden. But it is not in plain sight.
jfortson posted 07-09-2014 03:17 PM ET (US)
The first time I went to use my 15', I drove over 30 miles to the launch area, prepped the boat and backed it into the water, climbed in to start and launch - no keys. I could not believe I had done such a dastardly thing! Had to call the wife and convince her to bring it to me since I "the car was more economical" to drive than the truck towing the boat. That went over really well.
I had 3 extra keys made. I make sure one is in the boat ignition when I leave the house, I keep one in the dash of my truck, and I keep one in my orange "emergency" box along with spare plugs, wrench, registration, etc. (I do not leave the box on the boat). All are on floating key chains. So now there should be 2 on the boat, one in the truck and one at home.
Lesson learned the hard way.
floater88 posted 07-09-2014 04:47 PM ET (US)
Hahaha good topic. I lost my keys once and didn't have any spares. Looked every where. Finaly went back to the launch and there they were lying right at the waters edge! Went right to Marina and got three sets of everything. Extras in cabin, under gunnel and in truck.
Plotman posted 07-09-2014 05:50 PM ET (US)
My dad's boat had a switch on the control panel marked "Engine Stop" that you pushed to start the engine.
You actually stopped the engine by pulling a handle which shut off the fuel.
Security was from the combination lock which kept anyone from getting in to the cabin to turn on the batteries and a hidded toggle switch which you had to flip before the "engine stop" button would work.
I've always wanted to do that on my outboards, but it gets more complicated when they are designed for a two position ignition switch.
deepwater posted 07-09-2014 11:52 PM ET (US)
I bought her new in 1988 and tied the key to a hand rail with 550 cord, Last week that key tied to the hand rail departed for Florida with Mike and family,,Security when I wasent home was the dog,,When I was home the dog came to wake me up ^@^,,,He loved hearing that Ruger GP 100 bark in the dark
EJO posted 07-10-2014 08:01 AM ET (US)
I keep a spare key in the CC and a key to the locked console door in my towing vehicle. Therefore if for any reason I forgot my ignition & CC key I can still boat as I don't forget the boat.
Two weeks ago I had ignition switch problems and due to all the ignition switch recalls for cars took my float and other keys and only had the boat ignition key for the bouncy trip.
Was able to start it, had fun, but when taking the boat out in my haste missed putting the key in my pant pocket and lost it somewhere at the ramp.
Went to a lock smith which can't get a blank. Called BW for a replacement, they told me that is a Mercury part, went to the Certified mercury dealer and gave them my little SS tag with number and my spare key.
They told me it was no longer available?????? 2008. Pressured them a little more and voila they were able to find some. Now I have a key, the admiral has a key, and the boat has a key.
Happy boating.
ps. Those magnetic Hid-a-Key won't work on out FG boats with true SS
swist posted 07-10-2014 08:34 AM ET (US)
I live on a semi-cliff on the Maine coast and have 100 steps down to the dock. The first couple of times I forgot the key and had to go back up and down were annoying. Even more annoying when the boat was on the mooring and there was a dinghy trip involved.
So I put a spare into a box inside the box in the center console which also contains flares, boat's papers, misc tools. Wouldn't take long to find it if you looked, but boat theft is pretty rare around here, and the spare key is really for my failing memory as I turn into a geezer.
Even on something as small and open as a Montauk, I would think there are many places a key could be hidden if foiling thieves was the goal.
macfam posted 07-10-2014 08:44 AM ET (US)
It's so easy to hide a key. A small piece of Gorilla tape, and stick the key under almost anything. When needed, peel it off. I wrap the key in foil or clear wrap so it doesn't get sticky.
When my daughters lived at home, I ALWAYS taped a spare car key somewhere on their cars. Behind the front or rear plates worked, or somewhere in the grill area.
Without fail, sometime around midnight my phone would ring. "Dad, I locked myself out of my car".
I would remind them where the key was, and roll back over to sleep.
..................priceless.
Binkster posted 07-10-2014 09:26 AM ET (US)
The ignition key for my outboard is chained to a small float and lives in the ignition switch at all times. the boat is kept in the garage. I think I have a spare key somewhere. This thread may be a wake up call for me.
rich
contender posted 07-10-2014 12:01 PM ET (US)
Good to hear all of the stories, Like Mac, I have also hid keys on all of our vechiles. Just for safety reasons, and keys locked in cars...
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-10-2014 12:22 PM ET (US)
Hiding a key for the modern cars that just have a fob and a
push button gets interesting. Hide the fob on the car, and
the car will start without a key. My diver friends have been
running into this.
I've got a boat key hidden on the boat, along with a door key for
my truck (won't start it), and a door fob for the truck.
The normal boat key has a float (one of those cute Boston
Whaler whale floats -- it's getting tired, anybody seen any
for sale lately?)
Chuck
Draftsmanswife posted 07-10-2014 12:25 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the reminder, I used my spare not too long ago and forgot to put it back! I rarely take it out of the ignition, but for some reason I did. Then I was nervous all day because I didn't have my registration either. I think I'll make a copy of that too and stash somewhere.
Janis
EJO posted 07-11-2014 01:07 PM ET (US)
Janis don't forget to laminate your papers and then you can gorilla tape the registration anywhere and if the law enforcement office gets sticky hand from the gorilla tape so be it.
Gorilla tape is a great idea though for hiding the key. Thanks macfam
SJUAE posted 07-11-2014 11:51 PM ET (US)
After sitting on a friends boat gunnel fishing I noticed a perfect square of teak go floating by. It was my soaked brown leather wallet that had been squeezed out of my back pocket.
Since that day I never take my wallet but use a small zipped safety bag with cash, card, papers and a spare key
RevengeFamily posted 07-12-2014 07:07 AM ET (US)
Yes...
Got half way to the marina once and realized my Whaler float was still hanging in the kitchen... Now no matter what, I'm good to go...
Norm
Jeff posted 07-12-2014 12:16 PM ET (US)
I have a spare ignition key, trailer key and kill switch/safety key clipped up under my dash of the boat. I also have a spare of of all of the above stored in my tow vehicle and on my car key chain. I like the redundant redundancy as I am the kind of person that has locked their keys in the car twice in an hour and forgets things all the time.
I remember once Buckda hauled his 25 over an hour to meet me at a ramp in Grand Haven. After dropping the boat in he went to get it started and then realized he left the keys at home. Luckily my Newport was just five minutes away and we where able to use that for our run.
dfmcintyre posted 07-12-2014 02:17 PM ET (US)
Regarding taping the key. Prior to all the remote opening fuel cap doors, I used to duct tape one on the inside. Worked great.
Then my wife locked herself keys in her purse, in the car, and called me. I pointed out that the spare was under the gray tape on the fuel door. She said, nope.... was in her purse since the last time she locked herself out.....
Port Huron to Monroe (she worked in Monroe during the week) is 95 miles, one way.
There were words...
contender posted 07-12-2014 05:16 PM ET (US)
Sjuae: I have found the Pelican Box 1060 (comes in different colors with or without a clear lid) is the nice size to take on board. Holds all the correct papers, car/truck keys, wallet, cash, phone, and some other stuff. Keeps everything dry and it floats when closed. I have one for each boat, when I go out I just grab the correct box and everthing stays in it ready to go.
Ridge Runner posted 07-13-2014 10:35 AM ET (US)
I keep a spare in the center console of my boat. I just "zip tie" the key to the steering cable.
Landlocked posted 07-22-2014 02:46 PM ET (US)
I keep one attached to the underside of the motor cowling in the little plastic bag the factory emergency start rope came in.
Ll.

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Author	Topic: Hide a Key
contender	posted 07-09-2014 12:47 PM ET (US) Do any of you keep a hide a key on board?
Binkster	posted 07-09-2014 12:55 PM ET (US) If we do, do you want also to know where the key is, and where the boat is located?? LOL rich
macfam	posted 07-09-2014 01:42 PM ET (US) Yes. Only HAD to use it once.........but glad I had it. I found the original key in a sweatshirt pocket when we got back to port.
jimh	posted 07-09-2014 02:28 PM ET (US) A key for what lock?
contender	posted 07-09-2014 02:59 PM ET (US) To start the engine. I have seen people drop their keys in the water with no float,(yes I have one on mine) just thinking if anyone here keeps a spare on board (hidden) all the time. I just hid one on my boat thinking about it. Not so much for me but now my son will start using the boat alone, and anything that I can do to prevent a problem(either his fault or not) I would like to try and cover it...
jimh	posted 07-09-2014 03:09 PM ET (US) I have a spare engine ignition key on my boat. It is not really hidden. But it is not in plain sight.
jfortson	posted 07-09-2014 03:17 PM ET (US) The first time I went to use my 15', I drove over 30 miles to the launch area, prepped the boat and backed it into the water, climbed in to start and launch - no keys. I could not believe I had done such a dastardly thing! Had to call the wife and convince her to bring it to me since I "the car was more economical" to drive than the truck towing the boat. That went over really well. I had 3 extra keys made. I make sure one is in the boat ignition when I leave the house, I keep one in the dash of my truck, and I keep one in my orange "emergency" box along with spare plugs, wrench, registration, etc. (I do not leave the box on the boat). All are on floating key chains. So now there should be 2 on the boat, one in the truck and one at home. Lesson learned the hard way.
floater88	posted 07-09-2014 04:47 PM ET (US) Hahaha good topic. I lost my keys once and didn't have any spares. Looked every where. Finaly went back to the launch and there they were lying right at the waters edge! Went right to Marina and got three sets of everything. Extras in cabin, under gunnel and in truck.
Plotman	posted 07-09-2014 05:50 PM ET (US) My dad's boat had a switch on the control panel marked "Engine Stop" that you pushed to start the engine. You actually stopped the engine by pulling a handle which shut off the fuel. Security was from the combination lock which kept anyone from getting in to the cabin to turn on the batteries and a hidded toggle switch which you had to flip before the "engine stop" button would work. I've always wanted to do that on my outboards, but it gets more complicated when they are designed for a two position ignition switch.
deepwater	posted 07-09-2014 11:52 PM ET (US) I bought her new in 1988 and tied the key to a hand rail with 550 cord, Last week that key tied to the hand rail departed for Florida with Mike and family,,Security when I wasent home was the dog,,When I was home the dog came to wake me up ^@^,,,He loved hearing that Ruger GP 100 bark in the dark
EJO	posted 07-10-2014 08:01 AM ET (US) I keep a spare key in the CC and a key to the locked console door in my towing vehicle. Therefore if for any reason I forgot my ignition & CC key I can still boat as I don't forget the boat. Two weeks ago I had ignition switch problems and due to all the ignition switch recalls for cars took my float and other keys and only had the boat ignition key for the bouncy trip. Was able to start it, had fun, but when taking the boat out in my haste missed putting the key in my pant pocket and lost it somewhere at the ramp. Went to a lock smith which can't get a blank. Called BW for a replacement, they told me that is a Mercury part, went to the Certified mercury dealer and gave them my little SS tag with number and my spare key. They told me it was no longer available?????? 2008. Pressured them a little more and voila they were able to find some. Now I have a key, the admiral has a key, and the boat has a key. Happy boating. ps. Those magnetic Hid-a-Key won't work on out FG boats with true SS
swist	posted 07-10-2014 08:34 AM ET (US) I live on a semi-cliff on the Maine coast and have 100 steps down to the dock. The first couple of times I forgot the key and had to go back up and down were annoying. Even more annoying when the boat was on the mooring and there was a dinghy trip involved. So I put a spare into a box inside the box in the center console which also contains flares, boat's papers, misc tools. Wouldn't take long to find it if you looked, but boat theft is pretty rare around here, and the spare key is really for my failing memory as I turn into a geezer. Even on something as small and open as a Montauk, I would think there are many places a key could be hidden if foiling thieves was the goal.
macfam	posted 07-10-2014 08:44 AM ET (US) It's so easy to hide a key. A small piece of Gorilla tape, and stick the key under almost anything. When needed, peel it off. I wrap the key in foil or clear wrap so it doesn't get sticky. When my daughters lived at home, I ALWAYS taped a spare car key somewhere on their cars. Behind the front or rear plates worked, or somewhere in the grill area. Without fail, sometime around midnight my phone would ring. "Dad, I locked myself out of my car". I would remind them where the key was, and roll back over to sleep. ..................priceless.
Binkster	posted 07-10-2014 09:26 AM ET (US) The ignition key for my outboard is chained to a small float and lives in the ignition switch at all times. the boat is kept in the garage. I think I have a spare key somewhere. This thread may be a wake up call for me. rich
contender	posted 07-10-2014 12:01 PM ET (US) Good to hear all of the stories, Like Mac, I have also hid keys on all of our vechiles. Just for safety reasons, and keys locked in cars...
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-10-2014 12:22 PM ET (US) Hiding a key for the modern cars that just have a fob and a push button gets interesting. Hide the fob on the car, and the car will start without a key. My diver friends have been running into this. I've got a boat key hidden on the boat, along with a door key for my truck (won't start it), and a door fob for the truck. The normal boat key has a float (one of those cute Boston Whaler whale floats -- it's getting tired, anybody seen any for sale lately?) Chuck
Draftsmanswife	posted 07-10-2014 12:25 PM ET (US) Thanks for the reminder, I used my spare not too long ago and forgot to put it back! I rarely take it out of the ignition, but for some reason I did. Then I was nervous all day because I didn't have my registration either. I think I'll make a copy of that too and stash somewhere. Janis
EJO	posted 07-11-2014 01:07 PM ET (US) Janis don't forget to laminate your papers and then you can gorilla tape the registration anywhere and if the law enforcement office gets sticky hand from the gorilla tape so be it. Gorilla tape is a great idea though for hiding the key. Thanks macfam
SJUAE	posted 07-11-2014 11:51 PM ET (US) After sitting on a friends boat gunnel fishing I noticed a perfect square of teak go floating by. It was my soaked brown leather wallet that had been squeezed out of my back pocket. Since that day I never take my wallet but use a small zipped safety bag with cash, card, papers and a spare key
RevengeFamily	posted 07-12-2014 07:07 AM ET (US) Yes... Got half way to the marina once and realized my Whaler float was still hanging in the kitchen... Now no matter what, I'm good to go... Norm
Jeff	posted 07-12-2014 12:16 PM ET (US) I have a spare ignition key, trailer key and kill switch/safety key clipped up under my dash of the boat. I also have a spare of of all of the above stored in my tow vehicle and on my car key chain. I like the redundant redundancy as I am the kind of person that has locked their keys in the car twice in an hour and forgets things all the time. I remember once Buckda hauled his 25 over an hour to meet me at a ramp in Grand Haven. After dropping the boat in he went to get it started and then realized he left the keys at home. Luckily my Newport was just five minutes away and we where able to use that for our run.
dfmcintyre	posted 07-12-2014 02:17 PM ET (US) Regarding taping the key. Prior to all the remote opening fuel cap doors, I used to duct tape one on the inside. Worked great. Then my wife locked herself keys in her purse, in the car, and called me. I pointed out that the spare was under the gray tape on the fuel door. She said, nope.... was in her purse since the last time she locked herself out..... Port Huron to Monroe (she worked in Monroe during the week) is 95 miles, one way. There were words...
contender	posted 07-12-2014 05:16 PM ET (US) Sjuae: I have found the Pelican Box 1060 (comes in different colors with or without a clear lid) is the nice size to take on board. Holds all the correct papers, car/truck keys, wallet, cash, phone, and some other stuff. Keeps everything dry and it floats when closed. I have one for each boat, when I go out I just grab the correct box and everthing stays in it ready to go.
Ridge Runner	posted 07-13-2014 10:35 AM ET (US) I keep a spare in the center console of my boat. I just "zip tie" the key to the steering cable.
Landlocked	posted 07-22-2014 02:46 PM ET (US) I keep one attached to the underside of the motor cowling in the little plastic bag the factory emergency start rope came in. Ll.