When you have lost the key to your boat, knowing how to replace a lost boat key will keep your boat in active use.
You can replace lost boat key by using a spare key, contacting your dealer for a new key, getting new key from locksmith or replacing the ignition switch with a new one.
Losing the key to your boat can be very disappointing a lot of times.
But regrets will not solve anything at such a point.
When you are faced with such a situation, it is best to start searching for the boat key.
Searching the deck, other boat locks and places you last visited helps too.
But most times after this, you still may not find the keys to your boat.
At this point, you have to look at replacing lost boat keys to still be able to use your boat.
This guide will take you through the best approach for lost boat key replacement and boat key replacement cost.
How To Replace Lost Boat Key
When it comes to replacing lost boat keys, it can be easily done through the methods below;
- Use The Boat Spare Key
- Contact The Boat Dealer Or Company
- Visit a Locksmith For Boat Key Replacement
- Replace Boat Ignition Switch With a New One
1) Use The Boat Spare Key
One of the fastest ways to replace your lost boat key is to make use of the spare key of the boat.
Having a spare key to your boat is very important when you buy a boat.
So many people always make the mistake of not storing the spare key to their boat ignition well.
This is very bad and should be avoided at all cost.
If you do not have the spare key to your boat stored safely, problems will arise when you need it.
In a situation where you cannot find the spare of your key, a delay will set in when you want to use your boat again.
But if the boat spare key is available, it will be very easy to replace lost boat key.
This can be done by reaching out to where you stored the spare key.
2) Contact The Boat Dealer Or Company
In trying to find a boat key replacement, if you cannot find the spare, you have to use the alternative ways.
One of the alternative ways is to contact the dealer of your boat or the company.
This is another way on how to replace a lost boat key.
From there, you have to tell them that you lost your boat key and need a replacement.
To make sure that they reproduce a key that will work well with your ignition, some information will be required from you.
Some of the information that will be required is the key identification number of your boat key.
This number can be found on the key of the boat.
But if you did not write it down, you will not be able to access it.
But there is another way out in which you can find the key identification number of your boat key.
That can be done by reading it from the ignition switch of the boat.
From there, you can send the details to your boat dealer who will then request for your replacement key from the manufacturer.
3) Visit a Locksmith For Boat Key Replacement
Replacing lost boat keys through your boat dealer might be a long procedure sometimes.
But there is a way you can make the process quicker.
That is by using the services of a locksmith.
This is a fast way on how to replace lost boat keys when the need arises.
A locksmith is a person that deals with the production of keys.
You can also make use of them when you want to produce a spare key.
But in this case, you want to get a lost boat key replacement.
In such a case, you have to supply the locksmith with the engine model of your boat.
Also you will supply the details of the key identification number.
With these details, the locksmith will be able to produce a new key that will work in your boat ignition.
At this point, do not just pay for a single key, make sure that you get two or more to serve as a spare.
If the boat key gets lost again, you can easily make use of the spare without any delay.
4) Replace Boat Ignition Switch With a New One
When the key of a boat gets lost, it is sometimes the activity of a thief.
Even if it was not stolen by someone, it could still find its way into wrong hands.
At such a situation, the safety of your boat is not sure.
That is why some people change the ignition switch to a new one when replacing lost boat keys.
This is a very good way of protecting your boat from theft.
With changing the ignition switch of your boat, the former key will not work again.
This is because the new ignition switch will also come with new keys with a different configuration from the lost one.
So when the lost one is used, it will not work.
This saves you from the exploitative activities of a thief.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Lost Boat Key
Boat key replacement cost really depends on the method you want to use in replacing your lost boat key.
At any of the methods that you make use of, the cost that you will pay will be different.
Some will require you to pay shipping fee like when you contact a dealer.
But some will just require you to drive down to your house when you have a spare boat key.
Cost Of Replacing Boat Key Through Boat Dealer
The amount of money that you will have to pay when you want to replace the keys to your boat through a dealer depends on two cost.
The first cost is the cost the manufacturer charges for producing the spare key.
The next cost is the cost of shipping the new key to you.
When it comes to the cost of production charged by the manufacturer, it could be up to $50 for some brands.
Also you have to consider the cost of the shipping too.
A total of this could reach $70 when you want to replace your boat key through a dealer.
But when you contact your dealer, your dealer will tell you the exact price.
Cost Of Boat Key Replacement Through Locksmith
If you do not want to wait as the dealer method might take some time, you can seek the services of a locksmith.
A locksmith will charge between $50 to $100 to produce a new key that will work in your boat ignition.
Cost Of Replacing Boat Key With New Ignition Switch
If you want to increase the security of your boat, it is at your best interest to get a new ignition switch.
The new ignition switch will also come with a spare key incase you mistakenly lose your boat key.
The cost of a new ignition switch depends on the brand.
You can buy a new ignition switch at the range of $10 to $100.
Time It Takes To Replace Lost Boat Key
The time it takes for lost boat key replacement depends on the method you use.
If you have a spare boat key in your house, it just takes you a drive to your house to get it.
Such time depends on the distance you are from your house or where you keep the spare boat key.
If you are making use of a dealer to replace lost boat key. It might take few days or even months to get your new key.
If you make use of air mail, your key will be delivered to you very fast.
But if it is coming through a ship, it could take weeks or months.
If you are using the services of a locksmith to get a new key, this can be done in few minutes.
If you are changing the ignition switch to a new one, you can also get this done in less than an hour.
How fast you can do it depends on your level of technical skill.
If you do not have enough technical skill, make sure you hire a technician to get the new ignition switch fixed.
This will avoid causing damage to your boat through wrong connections.
Conclusion
Anytime you discover that you have lost the key to your boat, do not panic.
If you cannot find a spare, use the alternative methods that has been discussed in this guide.
This includes methods like getting new key from a locksmith, contacting your boat dealer or buying a new ignition switch with new keys.
If you have any questions on how to replace a lost boat key or cost of replacing lost boat keys, use the comment section.
Further Reading