Keys don't float

[texanaustinite]

Any one else ever drop their keys in the water? Not the boat keys with the smart little floaty on it... the car keys!

I had docked the boat and was going back to the truck to park it when I fumbled the dang keys and they fell straight down into about 15ft water. I had my little girls with me so I decided not to go in after them. Water was kinda murky anyway.

Called my oldest daughter, waited 30 minutes for her to bring the spares, while blocking one of the ramp lanes. Crappy start to a good morning on the lake.

 

[1730V]

Re: Keys don't float

I made some good gas money as a teenager with a scuba tank and gear hanging around busy public docks.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Keys don't float

Couple of months ago I dropped my boat keys (boat, coupler lock, ball lock, draw bar lock keys) on the floatie into about a foot of water when I was unhooking the boat from the trailer. They went straight to the bottom! Immiediatly took the keys to all the locks off and left just the boat key on the floatie...........

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Keys don't float

I often just leave my car keys hidden with my car. Why even take them into the boat with you?

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: Keys don't float

Any one else ever drop their keys in the water? Not the boat keys with the smart little floaty on it... the car keys!

Nope! I did lock my keys in the truck though. My quick thinking wife saved the day and told me where she has a spare stashed. I always secure my keys as soon as I get in the boat. I usually keep them in a day bag. If I have them in my pocket I dont take them out unless I'm IN the boat or take them out of my pocket until I get to the truck. Been lucky so far I guess.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Keys don't float

No, but I've thrown the anchor in the water, and had forgotten I'd untied the rope from it to tie the boat to the dock on a previous trip.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Keys don't float

Mine almost fell out of my pocket at the boat dock as I was boarding the boat in my slip. Ever since then, I make sure that my keys are in the cooler with my wallet and other pocketable items that don't float before we leave the truck.

The cooler floats

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Keys don't float

No, but I've thrown the anchor in the water, and had forgotten I'd untied the rope from it to tie the boat to the dock on a previous trip.

BTDT also. In about 25 foot of water.
Throwed anchor in and watched rope lay there.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Keys don't float

BTDT also. In about 25 foot of water.
Throwed anchor in and watched rope lay there.

Least you still had the anchor line. I used to throw the anchor, and just hold the line in my hands. That way, the slack line wouldn't go over. That is all fine and dandy, until the water is deeper than the anchor line, (or at least the part I was holding) so the anchor jerks the line out of my hand before hitting bottom. Luckily I was holding about halfway through the line, and managed to catch the end before it slipped over.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Keys don't float

I don't know why the Ford keyless entry (with the keypad) never caught on with the other car makers - I always lock the keys in the truck when I'm boating.

I wonder if they could be retrieved with a big magnet on a line?

 

[jddenham]

Re: Keys don't float

I wonder if they could be retrieved with a big magnet on a line?

Walmart sells a big magnet for such retreival in their boating section next to the rope and anchors.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Keys don't float

I never leave my keys at my truck. If someone where to break in and find them it would have been a free 2005 4runner. I used to get very self-conscious about my keys and phone. Now, phone goes in its dry bag even before I put the boat in the ramp and the keys don’t leave my hand until I am inside of the boat where I clip them in their secure spot.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Keys don't float

Yea, my keys stay with me.
They go in the dry bag till I need them.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Keys don't float

One trick I learned after the wife locked herself out of her car is to hide a key UNDER the car in a special place where no one can find it. If needed as a last resort the key will always be there.

 

[texanaustinite]

Re: Keys don't float

The good news: I was able to retrieve my keys with a magnet I bought at Walmart. They were in 20ft of water.

The bad news: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=225174

 

[_brad_]

Re: Keys don't float

I dropped my car keys while out ice fishing one year.. Dropped them down the hole in 24 feet of water on a sand bottom.

Spent 3 hours fishing at them with the underwater camera and a big treble hook!

Finally got them back. Learned a good lesson; dont put stuff in your front pockets in a ice house.

 

[srothfuss]

Re: Keys don't float

I'm really glad that I found this thread.. I've made a small list of things to note:

Things to do:
1) keep car key in dry bag or cooler
2) keep anchor tied to line

Things not to do:
1) Throw anchor over without checking line
2) Know depth of water before tossing untied anchor overboard

Hopefully you all have tought me something..

Now for my dumb story: I was climbing down to my friends boat from the dock. It's maybe a 2 or 3 rung ladder drop. Nothing big or hard for that matter

I had my cell phone clipped to my belt and as I swung around to man the ladder, the lock tab holding my phone in its craddle pressed up against the ladder hand rail. PLUNK! There went my cell phone into about 8 feet of water. It was DOA the minute the battery hit the water.. So from now on, my cell phone is also stowed in a dry bag.

 

[guy74]

Re: Keys don't float

I just keep my keys on a little foam float key ring. If I drop them they will float.

 

[skimmer]

Re: Keys don't float

I had my cell phone clipped to my belt and as I swung around to man the ladder, the lock tab holding my phone in its craddle pressed up against the ladder hand rail. PLUNK! There went my cell phone into about 8 feet of water. It was DOA the minute the battery hit the water.. So from now on, my cell phone is also stowed in a dry bag.

A mate of mines lost three phones this year over the side of the boat not cheap ones either he's always got to have the latest and greatest. Don't know how he manages it but nokia must really love him.

 

[texanaustinite]

Re: Keys don't float

Forgot to mention... 3 days in the water and the remote still works. Why don't they make cell phones like that?$$$$