In the late 80's, I lost the key (actually dropped it overboard without a floating key chain...lol) for my Evinrude 60 HP. I went to the marine dealership I bought it from. He had a board without about 60 keys on it. It was keys that would fit every Evinrude for that era. Of course, it was the last one we tried that worked-but it did work. Not sure if Mercurys were like that or not. Or don't know if outboard manufacturers stopped that practice at some point, but I would call around and see.

I would hope that y'all didn't continue to try more keys after y'all found one that worked

FWIW....I've owned many bass boats since the early 70's and have never taken the keys out of any of them....and I take the spare keys and put them in bottom of rod locker....I suppose if you had small children that might climb in your boat or you left your boat in a slip where somebody could drive off with it, there would be a reason to take the keys out..other than that, what have you accomplished by taking keys out?.....it certainly won't stop someone from stealing a boat.....
kinda like taking the plug out of your boat....sooner or later it's gonna bite you......

What the heck do you do when you loose your boat keys? I have a 94 gambler intimidator and somehow lost the keys. Locksmith said it would cost $120 for a new key. That's insane, anyone have a better cheaper idea?

""Amazing advice. ALWAYS leave your keys in your boats and never remove the drain plug. Simply amazing.""

I bet if I told you to unhook your winch strap before you backed down the ramp,you would really think I'm crazy.....
tell you what,next time you are around an elite or FLW tourney,pay real close attention to the pros both launching and loading their boats...and ask as many of them as can if they remove the keys from their boat or remove their drain plug.....will say this,removing drain plug is getting more common because there are some lakes/states that require you to remove your drain plug....

Use a flathead screwdriver..OAK CLIFF STYLE