Key in or out

[Paperbird]

Like most, it seems - Key in, wheel on, intake open. Unless we leave the boat, then intake closed with key hung on the handle.

[Carlisle Spirit]

When berthed in a marina

Key in.
Wheel usually on
Sea cocks - all open
Fresh water pump off when we leave the boat
Auto bilge pumps always on

Carlisle Spirit

[GaryMayo]

Insurance is valid with the key in? I rather doubt it.

Key out, wheel on.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by GaryMayo

Insurance is valid with the key in? I rather doubt it.

Key out, wheel on.

Insurance? what the hell is that

[jim767]

Never had to worry about the key. Preheat/Start toggle switch and kill switch. One less decision to ponder over.

[rtbates]

Left in it can also be broken off...

I say out and know where it is..

[GaryMayo]

Key in. Neighbors kid knows your comings and goings. Has a cove party on your boat after the marina closes. Skinny dipping, alcohol (yours, you left the keys , right?) and some young girl looses a leg in your prop.

Insurance finds out it was preventable had you locked the boat and removed the key. They don't pay. Now what? Sell your business, home and go bankrupt. Wife is best friends of the Mom of the injured girl, so your wife divorces you.

All over not removing a $5 key.

Could this happen? Would this happen? Not if the boat is secured.

[zeehag]

insurance is a scam that will not pay out anyway, so why bother with it. keep key in so emergencies can be dealt with effectively. they happen.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by GaryMayo

Key in. Neighbors kid knows your comings and goings. Has a cove party on your boat after the marina closes. Skinny dipping, alcohol (yours, you left the keys , right?) and some young girl looses a leg in your prop.

Actually, the key in thing has nothing to do with being in a marina. The gist of this is if you anchor and leave your boat, where do you put the key.

When we're at the dock, the boat is locked. When away, and the boat is anchored the key is in the ignition.

[Sailormantx]

Skip the key, they break too easy. Pushbuttons are the way to go. When I leave the boat all underwater seacocks are always closed. Being 'self insured' tends to make one very careful.

[barnakiel]

If you are in a place where the boats are not stolen, you can leave the keys in I guess.

b.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

If you are in a place where the boats are not stolen, you can leave the keys in I guess.

b.

So, Barney, just where ARE sailboats being stolen? In all the years I've been around the sailing scene, I can remember only the recent debacle of the chap stealing the boat, kidnapping (?) his kids and trying to escape with them --all commented upon here on CF.

What I'm getting at is that it is extremely rare for sailboats (cruising boat size) to be swiped, and that I have better things to worry about. Having stuff stolen from boats is far more common and in some areas one must take measures to prevent such thievery.

And for the record, our Nanni has no key... just pushbutton switches for glow, start and stop. They are situated just inside the companionway, inaccessible when the boards are in and locked. The wheel is generally left in place, but then we have a permanently mounted tiller as well, so it really doesn't matter!

Cheers,

Jim

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

So, Barney, just where ARE sailboats being stolen? (...)

As far as I know:
- one got stolen in Cabo Verde and found later in Brasil,
- one was stolen in the Italy and found later in the Tunisia,
- one was stolen in Portugal and never seen again.

And so my vote goes for 'keys in', much as I am not sure why not anchor the boat properly in the first place!

b.

[Ex-Calif]

My original vote was key out wheel on.

If my boat drags, a good samaritan can tow and steer my boat. If the boat is in a precarious situation I doubt most good samaritan would try to board.

Many/most boats start without a key anyway.

Keys only keep away the honest folks (and kids as has been pointed out) a serious thief will defeat most security setups.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

A key in a typical yammer panel does little to prevent theft. A flat screwdriver will turn the ignition with no fuss.


So key in

Agreed. I can use my Yanmar key to steal your boat.

So key in.