Solo launch - keys in or out...

[BamaAlum97]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

I typically take the key out. I always keep a spare a key in the glove box of my tow vehicle and another in the dock shop of the local marina.

With gas prices like they are, I'll have the engine running as little as possible.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

When I launch solo, I usually have a 5 minute walk back from the parking area. Being a public launch, I don't leave the keys (or the kids when they come with me) in the boat. So far no one has messed with the boat, but you never know.

 

[AGENT 37]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

My fishing buddy is always so eager to go that if I have the key in the ignition he just takes off without me before I get back down to the dock. I did get him one-up once and took off with his boat when he didn't see me at the dock though......

The other fun thing to do is to take off with his trailer when he's out fishing. Then I find out how many fish he caught when he calls me to ask where his trailer is.

 

[dave11]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

When I launch solo, which is at least 1/2 the time, I never leave the keys in the boat.........

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Sorry but there is no way in hell I would leave the keys in the boat while unattended out in public. If there was no opportunity in this world crime would be greatly diminished. There are so many opportunists out there that there's just no reason to encourage them. The only way I'd leave my key in was if I was the only person at the dock.

As for leaving it running unattended, that's not such a great idea either. There are too many bad things that can happen to your very expensive boat doing that too. Not to mention the whole opportunity thing again...

In this day and age I also lock my truck up when I go into a convenience store too...

 

[arboldt]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

All depends on where you are and who else is around -- if anyone.

Not pertaining to boats, but for example... One of our neighbors is really trying to remind himself to take the keys our of his car when it's in the driveway (vs in his garage) overnight. The other extreme was 10 years ago when a family just moved to our neighborhood from the Big City. They locked and set the alarms on their cars inside a locked garage. (I'd sure hate to live where they came from if that was necessary).

Where I launch it's usually not very crowded. But I guess my habit is to keep the key in my pocket until I'm IN the boat ready to go. Not so much a security concern as not wanting to accidently drop the key in the lake even though it has one of those floatie things on the keychain.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

HERE HERE, to what he said....

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

We just took delivery of our brand new boat yesterday. Take the key? You bet. Ask me again at the end of the season. Maybe I will have chilled out by then...:redface:

 

[tomh59]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Is the the key removeable? 19 years with the same boat and the dang thing has never moved from its home.

 

[QC]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

BTW, Ford has the best system there is for keys with the door mounted keypad. A little off topic, except that I don't like passing keys around when launching retrieving, and I used to think the keypad was stupid until I got an Expedition with one We simply lock the keys in the truck all of the time. Period. Keypad gets us in, voila. No chance to ever lose them if they never leave the car . . .

 

[PSS-Mag]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Ayuh,......

I don't think the Key has Ever been out of the switch on My boat,.... Ever.....

I just tie off, Go park, then start the motor when I return......

The keys come out?????



Yea I do the exact same thing.

If somebody wants my boat, even an amature can hot wire it in about 30 seconds with out any tools, and a new ignition switch with new key is only $5 at any auto parts store. Not having the key won't stop anyone.