This is probably a very routine question but given my one year of boat ownership, I need a little help. I was cruising down the Ashley last weekend when I felt something fall and hit my foot. I looked down to see my boat keys sitting on the deck, with the boat still running like nothing had happened. I stopped and picked up the keys, and noticed that somehow the key broke off like a twig, and the majority of it is still in the ignition. When I got back to the dock and powered down, it wouldn’t start again and now the second half of the key is still stuck in there. So my question is, do I just take out the ignition and buy another one and install it myself? Or is it possible to get a new key made from two separate parts? Not sure how I can get the second half out as it’s pretty far in there. Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.
I had a similar situation last year with my tillered Yamaha F60. I left the dock and headed out to do some fishing. When I got to my spot, I reached down to turn the ignition off and the key was gone. Completely gone. Not on the deck, not in the bilge, nowhere. My only guess is that I bumped it with my leg, broke it off, and the floaty key ring caught the wind and took the rest of the key over the stern. I turned around and headed back to the dock, slowly retracing my path looking for the float, but never found it. Once I got back to the dock, I used a flathead screwdriver to turn the ignition off. Then, since the important part of the key was still in the ignition, I tried using the screwdriver to turn it back on, which worked! As for your situation, you have a few options: 1. You can try my patented screwdriver key 2. If your key has a number on it, you should be able to order a replacement key through a dealer, then try to fish the broken part out somehow. 3. You can replace the entire ignition. The screwdriver is still my key.
I have changed the ignition on an older out drive. Not too bad of a job. You would most likely spend less time and frustration just replacing the whole piece rather than try and fish out the key piece, destroying the ignition in the process, and changing anyway.
I believe Ken may be on to something. Can you see the end of the broken key or is it too far into the ignition? I think I would try putting a very small bend into the end of the paperclip to give you more surface area to adhere too. Also use the gel form of superglue, hopefully it won’t drip off into the switch and cause problems. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Thanks for all of the input so far folks. That’s a good idea Ken, I’ll be trying that tomorrow on my lunch break. And Zeppelin it’s funny you mention that, it’s crazy that a piece of metal can break as delicitely as a leaf from a tree in Autumn. The boat actually started just fine for a week using the second half of the key. Until I let my friend borrow the boat, and he tried to use his car key to start, thereby pushing the rest of the key further in and making my method useless. Still waiting on the apology for that…
Easy I did Google this as well, I was more wondering how to get a new key rather than scrapping the whole ignition.
Pull your boat to the end of Cracker Larry’s driveway and pull off the road. Get out and pretend like you are trying to fix it. In about 5 minutes he’ll come out to see what’s going on. When he sees your problem, he will fix it in a few minutes and probably invite you in for a beer and dinner. Then send you home with stuff from his garden.
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
Pull your boat to the end of Cracker Larry’s driveway and pull off the road. Get out and pretend like you are trying to fix it. In about 5 minutes he’ll come out to see what’s going on. When he sees your problem, he will fix it in a few minutes and probably invite you in for a beer and dinner. Then send you home with stuff from his garden.
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
You think he’ll let me borrow his truck to tow the boat too? Haven’t gotten the funds in-line yet to buy a truck, boat is stacked.
quote:Pull your boat to the end of Cracker Larry's driveway and pull off the road. Get out and pretend like you are trying to fix it. In about 5 minutes he'll come out to see what's going on. When he sees your problem, he will fix it in a few minutes and probably invite you in for a beer and dinner. Then send you home with stuff from his garden.
I would just run it like that unless you need the other half… it wont hurt anything staying in there as long as you can start and stop the motor with out any issues
I have use a pair of tweezers to remove a broken key! I took a pair and ground it down to be small enough to fit in the space, worked like a top! If the key on an outboard is like a backhoe or skidsteer all keys are the same! Never tried an outboard myself! Good luck!!!
Now that the word is out, there may be a “pilgrimage” to Cracker Larry’s this weekend. I hope he has an ample supply of beer, groceries, and fresh veggies.
Pretty sure I know which rig is yours at the marina. You got a Johnson right? There’s only a handful of different OMC keys. Your key should have a number on it. Just buy a new key with the same number as what’s on your key. No need to install a new ignition switch unless you jimmy it up trying to get the broken key out.
If you’re bringing a broke boat, better bring some extra beer too.