Not off to a good start

[DAMATS]

Thanks everyone...I feel a little better after reading your misfortunes haha...lots of good tips and I'm sure I'll be utilizing the help line at some point! That's a great thing to have especially for a clueless boater like myself! Lol..

 

[RightStuff]

rear straps still attached - did that one
forgot to put in clean out plug - did that one
forgot to put in the transom drain plug - did that one (bilge pump saved me, it was tied at the dock and I'm wondering why the bilge running so much, always turn y the bilge on before you turn on the engines)
ran out of gas - did that one
forgot the boat keys - pending

Don't forget trying to start an engine without the lanyard clip! I do that about once a year...

 

[eticket]

I don't launch too often (having a slip) so sure enough I forgot the boat buckles on Saturday when I put her in the water for the season. At least I remembered the plug. Then for an encore I forgot the keys Sunday, 45 minutes round trip while the wife was not too amused. My checklist sat in the glovebox the whole time.

 

[Gym]

I don't launch too often (having a slip) so sure enough I forgot the boat buckles on Saturday when I put her in the water for the season. At least I remembered the plug. Then for an encore I forgot the keys Sunday, 45 minutes round trip while the wife was not too amused. My checklist sat in the glovebox the whole time.

Get a spare set made along with another safety lanyard & hide them in your boat. It will never happen again. Ask me how I know.

 

[scot71]

Do most of you remove the keys when you're done for the day? I'm not sure I have removed the keys more than once or twice. Since I trailer everywhere and I rarely leave it docked unattended, I don't see the since in taking them out of the boat. Less chance of losing them that way.

 

[bronze_10]

I don't unless I am walking away from it at the dock.... but I trailer everywhere as well...

 

[eticket]

Get a spare set made along with another safety lanyard & hide them in your boat. It will never happen again. Ask me how I know.

I am not comfortable with keys in my boat in a slip, but I should get a second set for my other vehicle. I figured leaving them in my truck was safe but then we took the wife's ride on Sunday!

 

[bronze_10]

I have an extra set hidden in the boat as well...

 

[Bill D]

I have my boat keys and the trailer lock keys on the same key-chain. I have gone to pick the boat up from storage without the keys, but never made it to the water without them. Knock on wood...

 

[msavold]

Do most of you remove the keys when you're done for the day?

Always. (This would make an interesting poll question...) I guess it's a "driving" habit.
You guys made me realize that even though the boat is usually on a lift in the back yard a spare set and lanyard hidden on board really would be a smart move!

 

[DBamaC]

Do most of you remove the keys when you're done for the day? I'm not sure I have removed the keys more than once or twice. Since I trailer everywhere and I rarely leave it docked unattended, I don't see the since in taking them out of the boat. Less chance of losing them that way.

I take out my keys too, but to be honest given how easy it is to hotwire a boat it's probably a waste of time if someone wants it. You'd be better off to put a toggle switch in the wire going to your rear hatch cover and flip it off when you leave the boat.

 

[Gym]

I take out my keys too, but to be honest given how easy it is to hotwire a boat it's probably a waste of time if someone wants it. You'd be better off to put a toggle switch in the wire going to your rear hatch cover and flip it off when you leave the boat.

I agree with you @DBamaC. The knowledgeable boater or thief won't have much trouble stealing our boats, cars or breaking into our homes but you just want to make it a little more difficult for the joy rider or drunk to take us for an expensive ride. I do like your idea about the hidden hatch switch but given the fact we have a hard time remembering: throttles in neutral, lanyard switch in, battery switch on, rear hatch latched & clean out plugs in I don't know if our memories can tolerate another checklist item.

 

[RiverRat]

I trailer every time out as well, and just leave the keys in the glove box. I'd then have to forget the boat to forget the keys. I do however take them with me when I'm at a restaurant or bar on the water though.

 

[DAMATS]

I trailer every time out as well, and just leave the keys in the glove box. I'd then have to forget the boat to forget the keys. I do however take them with me when I'm at a restaurant or bar on the water though.

Thanks everyone...I checked clean out plug and yup ..wasn't sealed . I aligned arrow with notch and seated and and yanked hard. Should be good !

 

[DAMATS]

Should be ready to drop in water...woohoo

 

[DAMATS]

Should be ready to drop in water...woohoo

 

[Gym]

I am not comfortable with keys in my boat in a slip, but I should get a second set for my other vehicle. I figured leaving them in my truck was safe but then we took the wife's ride on Sunday!

@eticket, Nobody is more uncomfortable with leaving spare keys on a boat than those of us living in Boston or NY but if you can find where I hid my keys you can have my boat. You have 60 minutes cause I'm never out of sight of my boat longer than that and I'm armed and dangerous.