Kingston Mariner
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2019
- Messages
- 40
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Wanetta
- Vessel Make
- 1983 Ocean Alexander 40 Europa
My new to me boat came with only a single set of ignition keys and a single aft saloon entry door key. Spares were in order.
The Cole Hersee ignition keys (twin engines) appear to be original to the boat and the Perko mortise lock saloon door key is cut from an Ilco blank. All the locksmiths around here have gone mobile only and the local hardware stores didn't stock the key blanks, didn't offer to order them for me, shrugged their shoulders and wished me luck. Such is the state of customer service these days.
Online I go and in a few seconds am at easykeys.com. The Cole Hersee keys are stamped with the key cut numbers. I quickly find the corresponding keys and add them to my cart. I find the 1502 Ilco blanks and for $26.42 they are in my P.O. box from across the country in North Carolina in less than a week.
I take the Ilco blanks to be cut at the local hardware store. This time the manager, who I am personally acquainted with helps me. In a lighthearted manner I tell him the story. He sympathetically rolls his eyes, shakes his head, and only because I insist he charges me. I am out the door for two bucks.
The new mortise lock keys work perfectly in the saloon door. One of the new ignition keys worked perfectly the other required a little fine tuning with a key file. If you don't have a key file get one. They are cheap. I find myself regularly using mine.
Now where to stash the spares? I'm thinking in the lazarette.
Also, I highly recommend easykeys.com
First boat project successful
The Cole Hersee ignition keys (twin engines) appear to be original to the boat and the Perko mortise lock saloon door key is cut from an Ilco blank. All the locksmiths around here have gone mobile only and the local hardware stores didn't stock the key blanks, didn't offer to order them for me, shrugged their shoulders and wished me luck. Such is the state of customer service these days.
Online I go and in a few seconds am at easykeys.com. The Cole Hersee keys are stamped with the key cut numbers. I quickly find the corresponding keys and add them to my cart. I find the 1502 Ilco blanks and for $26.42 they are in my P.O. box from across the country in North Carolina in less than a week.
I take the Ilco blanks to be cut at the local hardware store. This time the manager, who I am personally acquainted with helps me. In a lighthearted manner I tell him the story. He sympathetically rolls his eyes, shakes his head, and only because I insist he charges me. I am out the door for two bucks.
The new mortise lock keys work perfectly in the saloon door. One of the new ignition keys worked perfectly the other required a little fine tuning with a key file. If you don't have a key file get one. They are cheap. I find myself regularly using mine.
Now where to stash the spares? I'm thinking in the lazarette.
Also, I highly recommend easykeys.com
First boat project successful
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