Ignition keys - where do you keep (or hide) them?

[l'escargot]

I keep a set under the flower pot by the Patio doors.

Henry

Why don't you keep a set in the gas locker like everyone else?

 

[Sundowner Portofino]

We DO NOT keep keys on the boat, however the chaps that do any engine works on the boat just turn up, and whip out the existing ignitions and put in their own!!!!!!

So I guess any thief could do the same

 

[MRC]

We leave ours in the aft cockpit sink, no one would ever look there...........

 

[volvopaul]

I work on many boats that have the keys in the ignitions, the best place is to leave a set in the office and insist that they are only given out when you (the owners) has authorised the marina staff to do so by getting the engineer to say the owners name to the staff and not to turn up and say" im here for the keys for moody blue" etc.

But as said before in an earlier post, it would literally take a few minutes to hot wire most marine diesels into life even in this modern tech world, vehicles are a totally different ball game.

Oh and I keep mine.................................

 

[gingie]

On services we use dummy dashes. in our van just select engine type (older merc and volvo looms the same) take the relevant dash disconnect boat harness, connect dash and turn key. Great to use on service saves the ups and downs to the helm but great if customer forgets to leave the keys......

 

[spannerman]

I know from experience that the bigger the boat the more likely the keys are onboard, its amazing how many large Princess's etc have the keys onboard all the time, you get to know where to look like the left wellington in the gas locker, or top tray in the toolbox in the lazarette, and once inside if the ign keys aren't already in then its a glass in the drinks locker or the favourite is in the cutlery drawer.
I know of a 95 ft Princess which has the ign keys in and the door keys onboard all the time, admittedly its hard to make off with one of those, but I am sure the insurance would take a very dim view.
I have never left the keys on my humble little weekend cruisers and have always modified the wiring so that even if they tried to hotwire the engine it won't start, only good mercruiser mechanic would suss it out.

 

[volvopaul]

I know from experience that the bigger the boat the more likely the keys are onboard, its amazing how many large Princess's etc have the keys onboard all the time, you get to know where to look like the left wellington in the gas locker, or top tray in the toolbox in the lazarette, and once inside if the ign keys aren't already in then its a glass in the drinks locker or the favourite is in the cutlery drawer.
I know of a 95 ft Princess which has the ign keys in and the door keys onboard all the time, admittedly its hard to make off with one of those, but I am sure the insurance would take a very dim view.
I have never left the keys on my humble little weekend cruisers and have always modified the wiring so that even if they tried to hotwire the engine it won't start, only good mercruiser mechanic would suss it out.

Hi SM I see you even favour a merc over a volvo for your own boat!!

 

[burgundyben]

As a result of this thread I took the boat keys home yesterday for the first time in the 8 years I've owned her!

 

[MarieK]

I have one of these that I keep hidden away.

 

[maverickofpoole]

As a result of this thread I took the boat keys home yesterday for the first time in the 8 years I've owned her!

Bet you loose them

Martin