Who leaves their boat keys in ?

[DAKA]

While walking round marinas I am amazed how many boat keys I see left in the ignition, isnt this a bit risky ?

Even dangerous and selfish, it invites kids to take it for a joy ride and could cause serious injury.



I even remove mine while on the hard, if a couple of idiots broke in and started the engine the impellers would soon be wrecked and you might not even know.

If thieves left the engine running with sea cocks closed it could cost a couple of new engines and I would not expect my Insurers to cough up, although I would like to think they would pay I doubt it ?

 

[colingr]

Never, nor do I leave car keys in when I go to pay for petrol, or to use a cash point.

As you say it is an open invite for ne'eer do wells.

 

[DAKA]

There is 20% that leave them in /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[alt]

Not a hope, key's always come out of the ignition. When I leave the boat, I always throw the keys either into the locker in the clubhouse or the glove compartment of the car.

When pulled up at piers etc. I just throw the keys in my pocket

 

[VicS]

while leaving the keys in the lock is a pretty dumb thing to do hopefully the battery isolator is off so it wont be possible to start the engine(s) without breaking in and switching that on.

Hopefully the key to the door or hatch lock is not on the same bunch!

Not all panels are key operated, the very basic Volvo panel does not have a key switch

 

[oceanfroggie]

I remove the ignition keys, and also hide the key to both battery isolator switches. So if somebody breaks in they can't even turn the lights on never mind start the engines.

I remember many many years ago some drunken thugs broke into a locked hanger at the local airfield, got into a twin engined piper Senica with two girls they had picked up locally, the keys were in a locker, they managed somehow to start both engines, taxi out of the hanger, but luckily for them and unluckily for my pal they taxied into a grass bank walloping both props and stopping the engines. Otherwise who knows what could have happened had they managed to taxi out to the runway! At least they never got airborn. Legal wrangles took forever for my pal to get compensated for the damage to his engines and props.

PS: I can imagine some clever do gooder liberal lawer arguing that a boat owner was responsible for the drowning of a boat thief or joy rider, because the owner was negligant leaving the keys in the ignition, facilitating an unskilled thug to put themselves unknowingly in danger - what a mad world.

 

[ari]

[ QUOTE ]


Even dangerous and selfish, it invites kids to take it for a joy ride and could cause serious injury.



[/ QUOTE ]

Whilst I can see where you're coming from, has anyone ever ever heard of this actually ocurring? I certainly haven't.

However it's keys out and home with me when I left my boat.

 

[Wiggo]

Nope, doors locked but keys in. If the marina need to move her in a rush, I'd rather they weren't fishing around for the keys.

If someone really wants to nick the boat, they'll do it anyway, and they'd do more damage trying to hotwire the boat.

 

[DAKA]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Even dangerous and selfish, it invites kids to take it for a joy ride and could cause serious injury.



[/ QUOTE ]

Whilst I can see where you're coming from, has anyone ever ever heard of this actually occurring?


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, one of my neighbours boats.

Barry and Rose's Boat taken down the river at speed and broke down, a lot of damage was done.

I thought at least one had been grounded off CIs ???

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
Whilst I can see where you're coming from, has anyone ever ever heard of this actually ocurring? I certainly haven't.

[/ QUOTE ] There was a case debated on here a little while back, where a bunch of kids stole a mobo with dire consequences - several people died.

The story's here.

 

[crazy4557]

I think that anyone who is either stupid or dumb enough to leave the keys in the ignition deserves everything they get!! And if somebody nicks a boat that has the keys in and hurts themselves it's tough luck! Can't fathom a reason why they should ever be given any sympathy whatsoever. A thief's a thief in my book and just scum...but that's another story and not what this forum is here to discuss.

 

[Elessar]

I've replaced my keys with rocker switches. With twins you need two key rings which is a PITA.

You won't find the isolator switch though.

 

[Vanilla]

My engine doesn't have an ignition key (raggy with a D1-30)

 

[Divemaster1]

I can start my engines with a screwdriver.... and with batteries between the engines... it'll be too easy to lash something up for those deterined enough.... instruments won't work, and may damage the alternator... but they'll run as long as you give them fuel, air and some sort of lubrication.... and attempting to keep them cooled... and if you know the engines and boat, you can go for approx 450 NM..... but you need to know a couple of things or two to get her going . /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif...typical Italian.. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif and air intakes at engine blower is blocked ... so you'd have to know Detroit's to get them going...

 

[DAKA]

You can buy a remote key operated isolator, mine is fitted with one and has one very small key to cover both engines and aux. electrics.
I still remove the ignition keys and they go home with me.

Its the first job after we moor up, engines off, keys attach to the patio key fob via a quick snatch catch.