Solo launch - keys in or out...

[dvan1901]

When you all solo launch, do you leave the keys in the boat, boat running, at the dock while you go back to the vehicle and park it? I think I've done both based on the situation i.e. how many people are at the ramp/dock.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Ayuh,......

I don't think the Key has Ever been out of the switch on My boat,.... Ever.....

I just tie off, Go park, then start the motor when I return......

 

[ziggy]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

did it solo yesterday, key in the ign. switch, and like bondo, that's where the key always stays at. i also have a spare key in my onboard toolbox too, just in case...so,
launched it,
tied it up,
turned on the blower,
parked the tow vehicial,
came back to the boat,
lowered the drive,
checked the oil and had a sniff for fumes, quick inspection for water leaks,
started her up and let it warm up a shade,
departed the dock......

I think I've done both based on the situation i.e. how many people are at the ramp/dock.

yep on that. yesterday there were kids on the dock so figured i'd best be there when it was running..... + i like to watch the gages when she's warming up, so my useual sequence is above, but not always...

 

[QC]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Sorta unrelated, but since it has come up. I think the key in the ignition is a safety item. I never want to be fumbling around looking for the key . . . situations arise where you need to start and move quickly.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

I suppose if the ramp I launched at wasn't private, I might consider removing the key. I have to remove my trailer and park in in the storage lot after I put in. Then I usually drive my truck down to the dock where my boat will be slipped. That's about 300 yards away. So then I walk back to the boat. It takes many many minutes, but I don't think twice about leaving the key in it while it's tied to the fuel dock. It's insured and I pay my premium on time!

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

I rarely leave the key in the truck or the boat. They're removable for a reason!

Here's the sequence for me.

Back into water, turn off truck, lock up.
Climb into boat, start, and proceed to dock.
Tie up at dock, turn off boat, take key and valuables with me
Return to truck, unlock, start, and move to parking spot
Return to boat, start, head out.

This changes slightly as I move out away from town. The above procedure is the norm when launching near Downtown Louisville. The keys staying or going, truck getting locked/left, and the boat running/not running is all dependent on how comfortable I am with the area. When I'm at Green River Lake I have a good deal of friends down there, and trust the area alot. So the truck stay running, the keys stay in the boat, etc.

When I docked at the river front the other day, I was |..| that close to cabling the boat to the dock for fear of theft. There were a number of other boats larger than mine docked there as well, so I figured it wasn't a huge ordeal and left it just tied up without the cable lock.

It really depends on the location for me.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

I wouldn't think of leaving the key in .

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

The key is removable??? I also have never removed the boat key. I do wait until I return to start the motor. Ramp is usually loaded with folks. Never really thought twice about it now that you mention it, but I have never heard of a boat being stolen from a ramp.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

No key on my little aluminum boat. I was at a busy launch the other day, though, and there were a bunch of teenaged boys hanging around the launch area. I thought for a couple of minutes, then pulled the kill switch lanyard before I went back and parked the trailer. No sense tempting fate. I doubt they could have found my backup lanyard.

 

[QC]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

They can't steal it without a trailer parked at a different ramp . . . I would not leave it idling, but the key is not going to be the deciding factor in a thief's mind. If they are bent on stealing a boat, they will. That's what insurance is for. I am simply against playing with keys around water . . . been there done that, done doing it. Lanyard switch may be a good idea. If you are really worried about theft shut off your fuel . . .

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

The only time I remove the key from my ignition is if/when I park at a restaurant dock becuase of the heavy foot traffic. I trust boaters...its just the non-boaters I don't trust.

 

[salty87]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

same as ^ bruce. even then, i never thought someone might steal the boat but might play a prank and leave me without keys.

otherwise, when the boat is getting loaded in my driveway, the key is the first thing i put on it (in it) and one of the last things to come off (if i remember). no harm finding it ready to go the next morning

 

[bhammer]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

I wouldn't leave the boat running without being in it. Too many what ifs can come up. I have seen once, on an early injected engine, a boat just go full throttle and then stop. Just one of those sounds you normally don't hear around the docks. Lucky for the guy that it was in netural.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

I wasn't worried about them stealing it to sell it or something. More of a joy ride thing. There's no overestimating the stupidity of teenaged boys hanging around in a group. Again, better safe than sorry. I figure taking the lanyard will solve the problem in small boats. If they tried to steal it, they'd just get a sore arm yanking on the recoil starter rope.

 

[oops!]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Ayuh,......

I don't think the Key has Ever been out of the switch on My boat,.... Ever.....

i think keys are there just to hand the new owner somthing.....im doin a complete re fit....i think the key is still in it.....the was cap is off and it was up side down....

did it solo yesterday, key in the ign. switch, and like bondo, that's where the key always stays at. i also have a spare key in my onboard toolbox too, just in case...so,
launched it,
tied it up,
turned on the blower,
parked the tow vehicial,
came back to the boat,
lowered the drive,
checked the oil and had a sniff for fumes, quick inspection for water leaks,
started her up and let it warm up a shade,
departed the dock......
yep on that. yesterday there were kids on the dock so figured i'd best be there when it was running..... + i like to watch the gages when she's warming up, so my useual sequence is above, but not always...

the above is a perfect starting procedure.....including keeping an eye on the gauges

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

i'm pretty sure the key in my boat has never, never, never, never...did I say never been out of the switch. I say this because it will not come out...corroded in there

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Interesting mix of responses. When I park my boat at its storage location, I take the keys with me in my truck. I think that while launching I've done every combination; Leave the truck and boat running, leave truck running but not boat, leave boat running, but not truck, etc. I'm like some others and think that, generally, boaters aren't in the market to steal a boat in the two minutes it takes to pull the truck out and park it...what would they do with the boat they are in anyways?

 

[woodee148]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

I may think twice now with a new boat but I'll tell you right now that after my very first launch with my 15' holiday, my key never left the ignition again. I trailered it up 2 hours to the Severn River, pulled into the boat launch with a boating friend to help me and low and behold I did not bring the key. I now it sounds dumb but I was so excited to get that boat in the water....I brought books, fishing stuff, notes, all my safety equip..etc etc.. I had a list one page long. Anyway no key. We were launching at a Marina so we had the guys come out and see if we could start it on the pull cord and then they went inside and grabbed a coffee tin full of Merc keys. Believe it or not the last key we tried worked. I dam near ***** myself. We backed her in and launched, tied off to the dock and I started her up. My 8 yr old daughter was with me while my friend parked the truck.
There I was proud as a peacock holding the wheel with my boat running looking down the river waiting for my friend to get back.......when I heard....... "Daddy, this water is really cold, can fish get in the boat?" when i turned around my daughter was standing in 4" of water at the very back of the boat. In all the excitement I had forgotten to put the plug in.

Still to this day (four years later) my daughter asks me everytime in a condecending voice, "Dad, did you put the plug in?"

lessons learned

Woodee

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

Still to this day (four years later) my daughter asks me everytime in a condecending voice, "Dad, did you put the plug in?"

lessons learned

Woodee

Now that's funny

 

[bhammer]

Re: Solo launch - keys in or out...

That is funny. I hope none of my four kids ever has to ask me that.