Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

[eterry]

I just went to check on my boat, getting it ready for the weekend, and noticed someone has been in the boat, moved the seats around, moved the control lever and stole the key!! It had a small bobber on it so I guess a kid thought it would look good in his tackle box. Its a Johnson Control box, for a '77 85 hp. Any thoughts on getting a new key? I am guessing the Marine center wont have one that old. I need a cover for my boat to keep the kids out; had one ordered but it was backordered and I cancelled.

Eterry

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

I just went to check on my boat, getting it ready for the weekend, and noticed someone has been in the boat, moved the seats around, moved the control lever and stole the key!! It had a small bobber on it so I guess a kid thought it would look good in his tackle box. Its a Johnson Control box, for a '77 85 hp. Any thoughts on getting a new key? I am guessing the Marine center wont have one that old. I need a cover for my boat to keep the kids out; had one ordered but it was backordered and I cancelled.

Eterry

Hopefully someone will chime in who actually knows something, but the first thing I'd look for is a number stamped in the key slot area. If there is a number, I'd then go to the nearest dealer (or call one) and I'd hope they could order or make a key based on that number. If I couldn't find such a number, I'd post the question here!

Good luck.

OH, and PS, based on years of hard experience in this area, I recommend when you do get your new key .... MAKE A COPY! I have a extra set of keys hidden on the boat and all my cars as well as in the place at home where I keep a copy of every key we have... this is maybe the most organized part of my life because I've been burned so often and from such an early age.

 

[david_r]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

you can pop that control box off and replace that switch for $20-$40

 

[F_R]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

A dealer can order a key for you if you have that number. Or a REAL locksmith can cut one from the number. Unfortunatly, real locksmiths seem to be an endangered species. Our late Art Estus could make a key for the 3 Bears' den.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

The keys are stock. Get the number off the plate and your dealer can order the replica. You can also get them from ishopmarine.com or sea-way.com but you have to have the number off the keyplate on the switch.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

What Ezeke said. I've ordered keys for two different 1972 Johnson 65hp control boxes. You should find a key number imprinted into the switch right next to the key slot. It may actually be a number and a couple of letters.

I bought my last one about three weeks ago at a cost of $5.00.

 

[eterry]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

Thats good news, I went over to talk to the neighbor (my prime suspect) but no one was home. Probably a good thing...I was ready to accept I lost it, but that someone had been goofing around in my boat bugged me. I still want to mention it to the neighbor, its the cop in me...
Will get the plate # and call my local guy, see what he has.
thanks,
Eterry

 

[david_r]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

i wish i had found this site a lot longer ago. i was like you, eterry, i thought no way they have records for a key this old. i went and drilled out my switch until i had time to go get and install another one.

oh well lesson learned next time ill know better.

im not glad someone stole your key but im glad this discussion came up. next time ill save some money.

goodluck!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

Look directly at the area where the key would be inserted. There's a number there. What is it? I have some duplicate keys and may be able to help you on this aggravating situation. Private Message sent.

A lesson learned I hope. Doesn't matter whether the rig is in your driveway or a marina..... leaving the key in your boat is like leaving he key in your unlocked automobile. Not a good idea.

 

[eterry]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

Yea I know better, classic case of the cobblers kids having no shoes!! I work 1-2 car burglaries a week and tell them to lock their car and take the keys, just never thought it would happen to me in my own yard! Will get that # tomorrow and send you a PM.
Eterry

 

[eterry]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

Ok, I just went next door and made contact with the neighbor boy, who said he thought he knew where the key was, went in the house to get it, lost his nerve and said he didnt have it!!! I finally got to talk to the mom and she said she would have him look for it. Five minutes later the key was in my hand, and the boy got a quick review of the law courtesy of yours truly!

I need a duplicate in case I ever lose this one again, I looked on the control box and didnt see any numbers; boats been kept uncovered forever and lettering may have faded. Now that I have the original it may be easier to get a duplicate, we'll see.

Thanks for the help guys, once again y'all are a lifesaver.
Eterry
PS, Joe, PM sent

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

Wow, your little neighbor must have a big set to steal from a L.E.O.
Now you know who the *%$#@$^* is.

 

[snuffy45]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

glad you got your key back. I have one better for you. a local marina here requires you to leave key with them in case of emergency they can get your boat away from dock where stored, friend went a few weeks ago to go out on his boat and it was gone. long story short the marina had rented his pontoon boat out for the day. he saw it on the water and called TWRA and they came and took him to it and people on board had valid receipt for the rental. marina said they had over booked rentals that day so they used his and was going to clean it up and refuel it for him, they don't seem to think they did anything wrong. how many times has this happened? and bet it still does even after getting caught. that's why I trailer mine, maybe more work but I know where it is.

 

[david_r]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

glad you got your key back. I have one better for you. a local marina here requires you to leave key with them in case of emergency they can get your boat away from dock where stored, friend went a few weeks ago to go out on his boat and it was gone. long story short the marina had rented his pontoon boat out for the day. he saw it on the water and called TWRA and they came and took him to it and people on board had valid receipt for the rental. marina said they had over booked rentals that day so they used his and was going to clean it up and refuel it for him, they don't seem to think they did anything wrong. how many times has this happened? and bet it still does even after getting caught. that's why I trailer mine, maybe more work but I know where it is.

wow thats pretty sorry. who knows how many hours and how much abuse his and other peoples boats have gotten without permission.

you would think the marina would have gotten some sort of charges you know thats the same as stealing in my book. i probably would have had some charges of my own after i found out the people had a valid recipt.

hope he doesnt use the same facility after this incident.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

Snuffy45: The Marina stole your buddy's boat. He should press charges on them and claim damages. Plus I would call the local TV stations etc and report what hapened at this Marina.

What was the rental fee they charged the customer? That fee should tripled and given to the owner of the pontoon. Does that come even close to "stealing" a persons water vehicle? Fill her up and do it again? That marina needs a serious look at it's managers and employees.

What newbies abused the pontoon? Dinged the prop,put holes in the toons?
What renters left a stash of drugs on board they "forgot" about.
Too much to even think about.
This makes me too mad to even contemplate.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

If you can't find the code, take the boat to a local Evinrude or Johnson dealer. The service department should have a "try-out ring" (a set of keys). There aren't very many different keys so it will take just a minute or two to find the right one. Buy one and then head to Lowes or any shop that cuts keys. Buy a few extra. Then write the code down somewhere so if you need it in the future you have it.

 

[Labman]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

At one time here, that would have been classed,as Theft by Conversion!
It could earn the same sentence as Grand Larceny!
Talk about getting it both ways, charge for moorage and then rent the boat out, they probably even charged the unsuspecting renters for the fuel they used!
This place needs to see some charges laid!

 

[dave11]

Re: Some *%$#@$^* stole my key !!

Snuffy45: The Marina stole your buddy's boat. He should press charges on them and claim damages. Plus I would call the local TV stations etc and report what hapened at this Marina.

What was the rental fee they charged the customer? That fee should tripled and given to the owner of the pontoon. Does that come even close to "stealing" a persons water vehicle? Fill her up and do it again? That marina needs a serious look at it's managers and employees.

What newbies abused the pontoon? Dinged the prop,put holes in the toons?
What renters left a stash of drugs on board they "forgot" about.
Too much to even think about.
This makes me too mad to even contemplate.

I agree. PRESS CHARGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They have already admitted to the crime. Is this the first time or the twenty-fifth? I would pursue it in both civil and criminal court.