Forums > Kitesurfing General

Car keys and water don't mix...

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Created by MikeyG > 9 months ago, 23 Jan 2019
MikeyG
WA, 156 posts
23 Jan 2019 7:20PM
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I normally take my car keys on the water in a waterproof pouch. I've been through a few - Aquapac, Northcore and Ocean & Earth. They all last about a year then split or the seals stop working. The Ocean and earth pouch (www.surfstitch.com/ocean-and-earth-water-key-pouch-black.html?&istCompanyId=bc6fb727-f9f9-4f2e-87d6-b0bbf90d0e2b&istItemId=xxqittmqmm&istBid=tztx&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvqDiBRDAARIsADWh5TcSpK8xRys8uCwuBUOG6k8XrpmTs9wrzM1Z1-gGwjL3NIPM0unz8eIaAtqjEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) was the worst (indeed my bros completely failed and his car key stopped working).

So I was wondering what does everyone else do?! And has anyone found a decent pouch?!

psychojoe
WA, 1806 posts
23 Jan 2019 7:27PM
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I used to have an old-style manual key to put in the harness pocket while kiting. I've since bought a house on the water. Either option works great.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
23 Jan 2019 11:24PM
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Get a Subaru. You disable the key fob and lock it inside the car. There's a secret keypad that you enter a pin number to open the car without the key. You can't start the car without the key fob and you need to know the process to re-enable it.

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
23 Jan 2019 8:34PM
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I leave mine in the car

MikeyG
WA, 156 posts
23 Jan 2019 9:27PM
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Gorgo said..
Get a Subaru. You disable the key fob and lock it inside the car. There's a secret keypad that you enter a pin number to open the car without the key. You can't start the car without the key fob and you need to know the process to re-enable it.


So I've actually got a Subaru (2016 Outback) and I can't get that thing to work!

weebitbreezy
617 posts
23 Jan 2019 9:34PM
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If you can get a valet key (just the metal for unlocking the car but won't start it) for your car thats a good option.

I double bag up. Waterproof bag inside one of the drylock bags.

bigtone667
NSW, 1502 posts
24 Jan 2019 6:33AM
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Go to Coles or Woolworths and buy the kiddies plastic zip lock lunch bags. I triple bag. I replace the bags once the outer one starts to fail.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
24 Jan 2019 7:02AM
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MikeyG said..


Gorgo said..
Get a Subaru. You disable the key fob and lock it inside the car. There's a secret keypad that you enter a pin number to open the car without the key. You can't start the car without the key fob and you need to know the process to re-enable it.




So I've actually got a Subaru (2016 Outback) and I can't get that thing to work!



That's part of the security features. It's a little bit hard to do if you don't understand it. There's videos that show how to do it and the instructions in the manual are fine. You just have to follow them explicitly.

search for "subaru pin number" and watch the videos.

Adam''KiteRepair
NSW, 104 posts
24 Jan 2019 8:12AM
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Just buy a jeep and leave the key in the ignition. No one will ever steal it.

Seriously though, I'll vote for getting a steel key so you can just lock your fob in the car

Phoney
NSW, 583 posts
24 Jan 2019 8:59AM
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I put it inside the Velcro pocket in the kite bag that I leave lying on the beach.

hilly
TAS, 7195 posts
24 Jan 2019 10:04AM
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Phoney said..
I put it inside the Velcro pocket in the kite bag that I leave lying on the beach.


+1

Jono77
WA, 348 posts
24 Jan 2019 7:45AM
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Phoney said..
I put it inside the Velcro pocket in the kite bag that I leave lying on the beach.



I think this is what most of us do but is ridiculously insecure.

It's so obvious that a thief would say "nah, they wouldn't be silly enough to leave their key in a bag lying on the beach and then head kilometres out into the ocean, we will look somewhere else". If they got the key, they would just go to the car with kite gear in the car and kite stickers on it.

i think the thing that plays to our favour is that when kitesurfing, it's windy and there are not too many people on the beach as it's unpleasant.

vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
24 Jan 2019 3:17PM
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Valet key is the go if you can get won Be careful with key safe's you are advertising that there is car key inside ,they can easily be cut open with battery tool It has happened to friends

Bara
WA, 647 posts
24 Jan 2019 12:24PM
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for 20 bucks you can get a key cut that will unlock your car but wont start it. didnt know they were called valet keys but yeah one of those.

Gorgo
VIC, 4911 posts
24 Jan 2019 6:40PM
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I don't think valet keys exist for cars with keyless entry. I could not get a key or a key blank after a lot of trying.

I could have put the key insert from my fob on a string around my neck but I didn't want to do that. It ended up I didn't need to because of the pin pad.

Even if you can get a key cut, you need to stash the fob somewhere that won't trigger the keyless entry. Wrapping the key in foil works. Key safes work. There's a couple of spots in my car where the fob is not detected by the car.

Hardcarve1
QLD, 547 posts
24 Jan 2019 6:42PM
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psychojoe said..
I used to have an old-style manual key to put in the harness pocket while kiting. I've since bought a house on the water. Either option works great.


I live on the water and kite outside my house and put keyless entry in to house so never have keys. Hate it when you drive to a kite spot and rush to rig up then as you put your harness on you hear the keys in your pocket. First world problem that few understand.

Brohan
VIC, 528 posts
24 Jan 2019 7:48PM
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My car came with a surf key, but the car before that didn't I just went to a locksmith and he cut a key that only opens the door.

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1869 posts
24 Jan 2019 5:28PM
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Yee Heathen scoundrels with viscous tales...
Matey this be your saviour ???



cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
24 Jan 2019 7:40PM
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your car chasis has about 200 nooks n crannys to stash your keys in, i do this in a dwinder, some great key locks also, or get an extra set and stash permenent on your bus

shi thouse
WA, 1129 posts
24 Jan 2019 8:51PM
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I've got this one...

www.hitchsafe.com/

works well

weebitbreezy
617 posts
24 Jan 2019 10:06PM
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vendeavours said..
Valet key is the go if you can get won Be careful with key safe's you are advertising that there is car key inside ,they can easily be cut open with battery tool It has happened to friends


Maybe get a keysafe and then stash your key under the bumper. Thief comes along and tries to crack it only to find its empty/whatever twisted thing you want to leave inside.

I guess the downside there is they might smash the car up in anger though?

I had a bag 'tidied away' once by council staff. Topped off an already bad day (had a bit of a mare, lost my board and had a 20 min walk back up the beach). Would have been very stressful if I couldn't get back inside my car. Managed to get reunited with the board and bag but all the bits and pieces that were in the pocket of the bag (couple of carabiners and a leash for launching, line extensions, puncture kit, chocolate bar) never made it back.

stray
SA, 316 posts
25 Jan 2019 2:44PM
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Phoney said..
I put it inside the Velcro pocket in the kite bag that I leave lying on the beach.


Cars have been pinched like that.
i have a "secret spot" on the underside of my roof rack end.
just hope no one sees me poking the key in there.

Plummet
4862 posts
25 Jan 2019 3:15PM
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cauncy said..
your car chasis has about 200 nooks n crannys to stash your keys in, i do this in a dwinder, some great key locks also, or get an extra set and stash permenent on your bus


You will probably find that insurance will not pay out on a "stashed" key. but they will in a key lock. Also you can use one of those 200 nooks to lock the key lock. It doesnt need to be in plain sight

Kay1982
NSW, 274 posts
26 Jan 2019 8:29AM
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Hey I'm surprised no one has mentioned the "cat scratch"? Just put your stuff in a shopping bag and bury shallow in the sand under yo kite bag. I've been doing it for years- just remember a landmark nearby in case yo kite bag blows away or some thief steals your pump (I'm averaging one pump stolen per year by non kiteboarder beach walkers)

Ozone Kites Aus
NSW, 884 posts
Site Sponsor
26 Jan 2019 9:44AM
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Phoney said..
I put it inside the Velcro pocket in the kite bag that I leave lying on the beach.


A customer in Sydney had his car stolen by thieves that were watching people do stuff like this, they waited till he was on the water and heading out to sea and then just took his bag and then went to his car and stole it. The car was eventually recovered after it was used in a robbery and the cops shot and killed one of the thieves inside the car, happened about 2-3 years ago.

I've had a blank key cut that will lock and open the door and then look my electronic keys inside (VW), I just open the car with the one I keep around my neck while kiting and then turn off the alarm with the real key.

IanR
NSW, 1237 posts
26 Jan 2019 12:01PM
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Mercedes Benz have had a great solution to this issue for over 15 years.
Inside the Key Fob is a removable metal key that opens the drivers door.
Locking the car with the Fob, whilst it's in the car can be difficult but not impossible.
Works really well and the alarm doesn't go off every time, the push button start is also removable.

PrfctChaos
WA, 82 posts
29 Jan 2019 8:52AM
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Check your car insurance. Some have specific clauses saying they will not pay if your car is stolen after leaving keys in key lock.

I can understand why, those ebay locks are useless.

bjw
NSW, 3568 posts
30 Jan 2019 12:08PM
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Ozone Kites Aus said..

Phoney said..
I put it inside the Velcro pocket in the kite bag that I leave lying on the beach.



A customer in Sydney had his car stolen by thieves that were watching people do stuff like this, they waited till he was on the water and heading out to sea and then just took his bag and then went to his car and stole it. The car was eventually recovered after it was used in a robbery and the cops shot and killed one of the thieves inside the car, happened about 2-3 years ago.

I've had a blank key cut that will lock and open the door and then look my electronic keys inside (VW), I just open the car with the one I keep around my neck while kiting and then turn off the alarm with the real key.


Mental note... Next time my car is implicated in a robbery, blame the old "keys were in the velcro pocket" trick.

smook
VIC, 196 posts
30 Jan 2019 1:47PM
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IanR said..
Mercedes Benz have had a great solution to this issue for over 15 years.
Inside the Key Fob is a removable metal key that opens the drivers door.
Locking the car with the Fob, whilst it's in the car can be difficult but not impossible.
Works really well and the alarm doesn't go off every time, the push button start is also removable.


Yes that was great had 3 xMerc Vito vans over the years But now have Ford Custom Vans The Fu do not have Wonder if you can get CNC plastic Valet key done They are saying $70 to get metal copy key

toppleover
QLD, 2033 posts
30 Jan 2019 6:41PM
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I've had a blank key cut that will lock and open the door and then look my electronic keys inside, I just open the car with the one I keep around my neck while kiting and then turn off the alarm with the real key.


That's how I've always done it, feck those key safes....too much stuffing around imo.



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Forums > Kitesurfing General


"Car keys and water don't mix..." started by MikeyG