Spare Key Reminder

[Nehalennia]

I thought I'd remind everyone, that now is a good time to plan for spares. The one thing I see all season long is people with lost or broken keys. In many locations where our boating keys reside, whether they are left in the ignition or stuck in a straw basket somewhere, they can either end up missing easily, broken or cracked from being bumped if left in the ignition.
I carry spares on my normal house/car key rings for just this reason, but realized when off of the boat I often times leave my ouse/car key rings in the boat. If I were to lose the keys while away from the boat, I'd be locked out.

So, inspect your boat's keys get spares made now and save yourself the headache of doing in on a 100 degree day in July.

 

[billandamy]

Shameless entrepreneurial self-promotion and obvious boredom.

:grin:

But important, nonetheless.

 

[Nehalennia]

Shameless entrepreneurial self-promotion and obvious boredom.

:grin:

But important, nonetheless.

No, I'm not asking anyone to send me their keys to make copies. I don't want that. I want you all to go get them now, so in July I don't have to say I told you so.

 

[billandamy]

No, I'm not asking anyone to send me their keys to make copies. I don't want that. I want you all to go get them now, so in July I don't have to say I told you so.

Shoot, I better stop the fed ex guy.

 

[fc3]

I've forgotten my keys a few times. Once I borrowed keys from a guy on my dock who also has a Sea Ray. They fit. Another time I picked the locks. Not hard either. There's no excuse for not going boating.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Vince_nj1]

I would suggest having a spare fuel cap as well. I once had a fuel cap pop off the little chain when I removed the gas nozzle and it fell into the drink. It was a Friday night, just before leaving for a weekend trip.

I took me 2 hours, but I fished it out with a scap net. Pure dumb luck. :wow: I don't want to repeat that experience.

If you loose your key, and you are in a jam, you can always remove the panel and bypass the key switch. Some genius did that to my boat before I bought it.

 

[mrsrobinson]

I have wondered about the fuel cap as one of our chains is broken. Good suggestion.

Any idea where one can pick up a spare?

 

[comsnark]

My mechanic once noted that one of my two ignition keys was sticking a bit. $25 later. . .I had a whole new switch and two keys.

$25 for something electrical on a boat? To hot wire one of these things must be trivially easy.

 

[Vince_nj1]

I just searched West Marine and it seems they sell them. Don't know if it they are all the same.

However I can't believe the price...:wow::wow::wow:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/21694/377%20710/0/cap/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=cap&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=cap&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=11&subdeptNum=70&classNum=71

PERKO

Deck Fill Cap, Chrome
Only $65.99 USD

OK.. I went to SeaRay's website http://www.searay.com/parts_manuals.asp?tab=&year=2006 and determined that they are not standard. Different caps for diesel vs Gas. So I guess you need to order one from your dealer.

At least when the dealer tells me the price I won't fall over.

 

[Nehalennia]

Most boat ignition switches are PERKO. They're a simple wafer style key switch. Not much more too them, but they do have different cuts. I've thought about installing a 12V keypad and a button for the starter to eliminate the keyswitch, but if God forbid something happens to me, I'd want the internationally "known" key to allow someone to start the boat.

 

[Morpheus]

No, I'm not asking anyone to send me their keys to make copies. I don't want that. I want you all to go get them now, so in July I don't have to say I told you so.

Did you say your making FREE copies for members? Your such a great guy! :smt038 :grin:

 

[Nehalennia]

I thought I'd post this as a reminder to those to get their spares in order NOW! Don't wait until you're at the launch, or they fell overboard or whatever scenario you can think of. GET THEM Now!

 

[carterchapman]

Todd,

I think you said Southco made our keys - is that correct?

Do they do both entry and engine keys?

 

[wish2fish]

I would suggest having a spare fuel cap as well. I once had a fuel cap pop off the little chain when I removed the gas nozzle and it fell into the drink. It was a Friday night, just before leaving for a weekend trip.

Isn't that what duct tape is for? :huh:

 

[Nehalennia]

Most of the cabin keys are made by Southco/Mobella. Go to Southco.com The blanks are not common and I recommend the originals from Southco. They will deal with you directly.

The ignitions typically are Perko and those can be duplicated easily at any locksmith. That one is a very common key blank.

 

[Presentation]

Just sent me your keys and I’ll make you a spare set for free.

Hey Todd,

What address should we use to send you our keys for our free spare set?

 

[firecadet613]

I was able to get a cabin door key direct from Southco. I was at my local Ace hardware store, and saw they had the blanks. Southco was $10/key, Ace was a buck or so for them to copy it. Just an FYI.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

I do like the idea of a spare gas cap - great suggestion, thank you!!!!

 

[Gofirstclass]

I keep one set of boat keys in each of our two cars and one complete set hidden on the boat. I try never to use the hidden set but on a couple of occasions I had to use them.

 

[rondds]

I'd like to remind everyone that they should brush twice daily, chew only sugarless gum and visit their dental professional every six months.