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I be limin · 01-10-2012, 05:54

We are cruising down island this fall and I would like to get some feedback on leaving the key in the ignition while we are at anchor, I say yes in case we drag and some kind yachtsman comes to our rescue while we are away from the boat, the admiral says no as the boat can be stolen..........whats the consensus on this one.

I be limin

**Ex-Calif** · 01-10-2012, 06:06

This has been discussed before and there is no consensus (go figure)

Also wheel on - wheel removed.

I am key removed wheel on...

**Sailmonkey** · 01-10-2012, 06:26

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

**KDH** · 01-10-2012, 07:06

We debated this as well and we left the key in on anchor in case of dragging but usually took it out if we were at the dock. We also turned off the ignition battery at the dock.

**zeehag** · 01-10-2012, 07:09

i leave key in----even at dock. no locals have ever boarded my boat--the only problems i ever had so far has been from another cruising boat in mazatlan's old harbor--the dfgringo stole my paper charts, as i watched walking back from provisioning in centro--i could see them on and off my boat. funny thing about that....

**Vasco** · 01-10-2012, 07:14

I leave the key in all the time.

**Waterwayguy** · 01-10-2012, 07:56

We often leave the key in the ignition at anchor in case it's needed in an emergency in the dark. We have a cut off switch below decks that can be used to disable the ignition when we are away or any other time it is needed. A simple toggle switch or something more sophisticated will do just fine as long as it will handle the voltage. Chuck

atoll · 01-10-2012, 08:02

unless we were in a commercial port we never locked the boat,and the key never left the ignition,over 100,000 miles,and 20 years!,still got the boat and never had anything stolen!

**Don L** · 01-10-2012, 08:15

key in, wheel on

pillum · 01-10-2012, 08:15

Key kept getting bent and I was scared in case it broke in the keyhole, so I removed it and replaced it with an on/off plus toggle switch for the power and glowplugs, and a starter button. So no key at all.

**donradcliffe** · 01-10-2012, 08:22

I suspect that at least 100 boats drag for every stolen one--key in, battery switch on at anchor.

Dave852 · 01-10-2012, 14:09

+1 for key in. Not having a key will not prevent theft but will slow down reaction in an emergency.

mikepmtl · 01-10-2012, 14:16

Well let me ask this, if I see a boat dragging, it gets some damage on a reef etc., I board it and get it off the reef and re-acnhor it. Could I be considered liable for the damage?

The only time I was in a similar situation, was during a major storm (50mph with gusts closer to 80mph). I could not believe the owners of a 50'+ cat left their boat unattended during the storm. The anchor broke loose and it was up on the rocks. I called the coast guard and they moved it to a sea wall and tied it up. I would have been way to worried to board it.

belizesailor · 01-10-2012, 18:22

My keys stay in all season. Yacht theft is exceeding rare and marine diesels are easy to hot wire anyway. In contrast, times when you or someone else may need to quickly start the engine are far more common.