Ever wondered if your keys would float?

P

Phil_boat

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I was rearranging the boat keys and happened to have a pack of washers on the desk next to me.

Thought I'd do a little experiment...

My boat keys weigh 59g

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My float just floats with 31g

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Another washer about 3g makes it sink. So a completely pointless float that I've been carrying around for months (and it previously had 3 extra keys on it).
 
Phil_boat said:
I was rearranging the boat keys and happened to have a pack of washers on the desk next to me.

Thought I'd do a little experiment...

My boat keys weigh 59g

View attachment 209066

My float just floats with 31g

View attachment 209065

View attachment 209064

Another washer about 3g makes it sink. So a completely pointless float that I've been carrying around for months (and it previously had 3 extra keys on it).
Click to expand...
But your keys will weigh less in water than in air. Especially the plastic bits.
 
Phil_boat said:
I was rearranging the boat keys and happened to have a pack of washers on the desk next to me.

Thought I'd do a little experiment...

My boat keys weigh 59g

View attachment 209066

My float just floats with 31g


Another washer about 3g makes it sink. So a completely pointless float that I've been carrying around for months (and it previously had 3 extra keys on it).
Click to expand...
Isn’t that a Suzuki car key fob amongst that lot? That ain’t a set of boat keys.
 
I dropped some keys with an inflating key fob into a river while beaching the dinghy. They sank but it was only inches deep so I retrieved them easily and put then back in my pocket. A minute of two later I wondered why trousers had suddenly got tight. Yes, the key fob had inflated in my pocket and was difficult to get out! It also had a light flashing in it. Lucky we did not go straight into the pub or I might have got some funny looks!
 
bobgarrett said:
I dropped some keys with an inflating key fob into a river while beaching the dinghy. They sank but it was only inches deep so I retrieved them easily and put then back in my pocket. A minute of two later I wondered why trousers had suddenly got tight. Yes, the key fob had inflated in my pocket and was difficult to get out! It also had a light flashing in it. Lucky we did not go straight into the pub or I might have got some funny looks!
Click to expand...
As Mae West might have said:

" Is that an inflating key fob in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?"
 
dunedin said:
My Mercury 3.3hp is a bit simpler.

A keyless start fob on a boat sounds like a risk factor. If it fails to work due to salt water and contacts, are you stranded?
Click to expand...

No, there’s key as well… which needs a complicated sequence of inputting a pin by turning the key after counting the right number of beeps for each number of the pin.

We tested it and after about 5 goes we can get it to start.

I’d much rather just have a key!
 
Bonefish Blues said:
On another linky this is included in the product description:
  • Key Buoy rises to the surface in as fast as 60 seconds.
  • May take longer in deeper water with maximum weight attached.
The definition of squeaky bum time!

Great product name, mind :giggle:
Click to expand...
May never come up at all if the water is deep enough
 
SimonX said:
May never come up at all if the water is deep enough
Click to expand...
Yes. Years ago there was a similar device offered on "Dragons' Den". It was claimed to lift 0.xKG (I don't remember the amount) . But there was no discussion of whether the inflation was fast enough to work before water pressure at the depth to which it might have sunk would critically reduce the buoyancy...
 
My car and boat access keys would require far too big a float to fit in my pocket, so I don't bother. For the engine start keys and the padlock to ensure the dinghy and OB are still on the davits when I come back, I use a couple of these

iu
 
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