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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Engine Lock help needed!!

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/19/2009 : 07:00:48

Hi All,

Sad day yesterday, took Adventurous out of the water for the year. Adding to this sad day, the key to the Master Lock in my engine lock won't turn, thereby preventing me from removing the lock and taking the engine from the boat. This is the style of engine lock I have:

As you can see, there is no room to get bolt cutters on the lock itself. Anyone know if a good way to remove this lock inexpensively? I DO plan on working on the lock some more with the key to see if I can get it to work, but I'd like to have a plan in place in case the lock remains stubborn.

Thanks all!

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

Edited by - on

Ed Cassidy
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 07:40:25

Find a thief, they can show you how to do it in less than 60 seconds! Sorry. I would think that plenty of WD40 should work, just don't force the key. spray down around the top of the lock and let it soak a few minutes. Push down on the lock while pushing up on the base to loosen it up, then try to turn the key. Don't use any more force than you would normally use on a key. Wiggle the key back and forth and above all, make sure it is the correct key for the lock. I know, you probably already tried all of this and you may get to actually test out how secure the lock actually is. Keep us informed.
Ed

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 08:14:56

My first thought was that maybe you've got the wrong key. Don't ask why this thought occurred to me

WD-40 might work but I think graphite lock lubricant might be better. How old is the lock? Since you're in fresh water, I would think that corrosion shouldn't be a huge problem.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 10:14:16

Depending on the size of your outboard's handles, you could probably pry open the lock's slot enough to pull the lock off the handles.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 10:40:16

I had the same problem a few years ago...I just cut through the tab at the opposite end of the slotted side, and slide the bracket off w/ the lock in place.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 10:40:30

I'm in Kansas, so I can't check what the brand name is on Lysistrata, but there is a very good penetrating oil that works better than WD40 in a bright yellow can... Something Blaster? It works. Other than that, your only real option is a torch. Those locks are designed that way for a reason.

sten

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 10:57:30

After applying some WD-40 or "Something Blaster", a whack with a hammer (with the key out) might jar something free.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 11:01:18

Cut it off with a masonry blade.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 11:11:03

Angle grinder with a cut-off wheel. Take about 60 seconds.

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 13:32:07

Thanks all,

If indeed I cannot get the key to work after appropriate remedies are attempted, I will cut the area opposite the lock as suggested by Jerlim.

Thanks so much for the ideas.:-)

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 16:49:08

I think you're talking about PB Blaster, which I've used with good success, but keep in mind this caveat: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/33279-pb-blaster-penetrating-oil-warning.html

Edited by - on

Rich P
1st Mate

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USA
77 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2009 : 21:10:09

Kroil sold by Kano Labs is by far the best spray I've ever used.
As for getting the lock off, a dremmel and a cut off wheel would go through the lock pretty quickly and if done carefully, you should be able to reuse the bar.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2009 : 06:40:23

Sooooo! How many of us are rushing out to our boat and checking the lock still works?

Paul

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2009 : 07:30:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 I think you're talking about PB Blaster, which I've used with good success, but keep in mind this caveat: http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/33279-pb-blaster-penetrating-oil-warning.html
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, that's the stuff... It is powerful and yes there are warnings all over the place on the can. Some PB Blaster and perhaps some heat applied should do the trick...

sten

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2009 : 07:58:01

So if some PB drips into the water and forms a slick, does it cut a slit through your transom at the waterline?

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PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2009 : 21:04:20

Just ran across this query. I have had several of these types of motor locks and finally gave up on them. They eventually seize up. If you catch it soon enough, you might get the lock free with penetrating oils as mentioned above. I can now get this device off the motor in a few seconds. All you need is a bar to pry the slot wide enought to get it off the motor screw on knobs. So, it's not very effective anyway.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2009 : 05:20:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PZell
 I can now get this device off the motor in a few seconds. All you need is a bar to pry the slot wide enought to get it off the motor screw on knobs. So, it's not very effective anyway.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yep.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2009 : 15:56:29

and now they have battery powered 4" side grinders. Just put in a cut off wheel and now you are in business for some really easy thievery. Just what we need.

Thanks for the heads up on PB blaster

Edited by - on

cat25
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2009 : 02:35:36

Try using a hack saw with a screwdriver under top of lock to hold it up while cutting.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2009 : 20:45:00

No locks prevent theft, they just divert thieves to easier targets. The ever-faithful Dremel works wonders

Edited by - on

EAbrams
Navigator

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USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2009 : 06:50:01

Just found this article on a couple types of [url="http://www.sailorssolutions.com/BodyPages/Other/BoatWorksLocksReviewFall2006.pdf"]Motor Locks Review[/url] . May be of interest to a few.

==================================
Just looked a little deeper and found that the Editors Choice (Stazo Smartlock) apparently doesn't fit the following motors.

Known engines that the Smartlock does NOT fit:
Evenrude 10 and 15 HP 2-stroke
Johnson 15 HP 2-stroke
Mercury 4 HP 4-stroke long shaft
Mercury 9.9 HP 2-stroke
Mercury 15 HP 2-stroke
Mariner 15 HP 2-stroke
Nissan 8HP 4-stroke 2006
Nissan 9.8 2007
Nissan 9.9 HP 4-stroke 2006-2007
Daihatsu 6HP 4-stroke model MSS66BL
Honda 20HP 2006
Honda 15HP 2007 model BF15DKSH
Tohatsu 9.8 hp four stroke
Yamaha 15

Edited by - EAbrams on 11/23/2009 07:04:16

Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2009 : 09:59:29

Ben, is it possible the mechanism was installed with the keyhole in the up position? I install mine with keyhole down. Works great, going on fifth year.

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