companionway lock

Mark Maulden · May 12, 2015

Go to your dentist and ask the hygenist if you could have some old explorers. Those sharp thing they ise to prod around with..They always save some for patients who use them as tools for hobbies etc. work them down both sides and see if you can extract enough to grab hold of.

Capt jgw · May 13, 2015

You can get the dental probes at Harbor Freight too.

Chris Patterson · May 13, 2015

It looks like it's ready for the drill. Giving my experience with locks, (I do), this will be a lesson in patients to extract the key part. It's aluminum, so it'll drill out easily. Once it's drilled out and you gain entrance to the back side of the lock, it should disassemble with little problem. A local lock shop should put a new barrel in it for around twenty bucks.

31seahorse · May 13, 2015

In an effort to add some levity to a serious situation........

Be VERY careful with your wording when you ask for the "probe"! There are several kinds of probe you definitely DO NOT WANT!

Phil

BTW...... How did you get the picture of the back side of the lock mechanism? Did you get into the boat through the back door, an open window, or through the underwater escape hatch/air lock entry?

dziedzicmj · May 13, 2015

I heard of people using glue to attach something (what was left of the key) to the broken off key. I am not sure if this would work for the lock, but i read reports on using it in the ignition.

Ron20324 · May 13, 2015

Is the key magnetic, and the lock is not (SS?). Got a big magnet?

Capt jgw · May 13, 2015

Most keys are brass so a magnet won't work. You can usually get it with two dental picks, one top and bottom, kind of dig onto the brass and pry it out. Hopefully you've got another key.
Last year I broke off my ignition key, and it was the only one I had. I took the lock out of the panel and to the hardware store. Took them four tries to copy the broken pieces but they finally got one to work. Only charged me for the one, I had them make two more. While bill was about five bucks.

BigEasy · May 13, 2015

Are you now "locked" out of the cabin? Looks like it will be difficult to get a pick on the broken key as it appears flush with the sides of the key receptacle. If you can remove the hatch board, just take it to a locksmith to have the key removed. Personally, I wouldn't attempt to drill out the key. Its going to take a very fine drill (like a dental drill & burr) to drill it out. You don't want this episode to turn into a lock and hatchboard replacement. I would let a professional do it.

seadaddler · May 13, 2015

Locksmith

You don't want to screw it up for sure and I would take it to
Locksmith and they are experts and pretty sure taking it him won't cost much.
And think they have Keys here just ask Phil.
Nick

Jake N Eggs · May 13, 2015

If you put a Philips screw driver in the slot under the manual lock tab, the one with the gear teeth, and turn the screw driver it will release the spring loaded tabs that hold the lock mechanism in the hatch board. The lock mechanism will pull out the top.

Benny17441 · May 13, 2015

The key probably broke because the lock is corroded and was too stiff. You can get an exact replacement lock for around $45 which will give you many more years of service. Just drill the cylinder out to release the lock and to uninstall and replace. I hate half fixes where you have to go back frequently to oil or adjust . Some things just not worth fixing.

twalker H260 · May 13, 2015

Looks like it is just a friction/snap in fit. Should be able to pry mechanism up and off from the top edge of door. Install manual is here:

http://f190ddc82b556f3f60bb-737abe26839743c5cf98efa4eee8f4ee.r90.cf1.rackcdn.com/MG-Entry.en.pdf

Your lock is on pages 3-5.

Prime Time · May 13, 2015

Not too hard to drill out a lock cylinder and replace.

Stu Jackson · May 13, 2015

Hi, sorry to hear about your issue.

Could you please explain why there is such a complicated mechanism for a simple lock?

Sure, someone with a big wire cuter could simply snap off a standard lock, but I've always read that locks are to keep the "honest" people out. That mechanism looks like overkill to me.

In any event, good luck with getting it off, since if it's as simple as Jake says, what is the need for the complexity?

Please help me understand.

Thanks.

slaume · May 14, 2015

I just had a similar problem in that my combination lock would not open. I messed with it for a good while and then took a walk up to the marina store and asked to borrow the bolt cutters they use to cut anchor chain. One snip and the old lock was gone. I returned the cutters and purchased a new lock for around #20.00. Why would you want to waste your time messing around with a lock that has already jammed once?

Ron20324 · May 14, 2015

slaume said:
... Why would you want to waste your time messing around with a lock that has already jammed once?

Why would you "secure" your possessions with a padlock that can be cut quickly and quietly with a big pair of scissors?

Stu Jackson · May 14, 2015

Ron20324 said:
Why would you "secure" your possessions with a padlock that can be cut quickly and quietly with a big pair of scissors?

Pretty much what others have asked. Doesn't look like we're gonna get an answer...

Jake N Eggs · May 14, 2015

The lock mechanism is part of the upper hatch board. The hatch board is cut specifically for the latch mechanism. It was this way from the factory. The lock can be easily broken by trying to slide open the sliding hatch. The latch is in no way a security deterrent but I lock mine when I leave the boat.

I knew how the latch worked because I had to replace mine after it was broken by an intruder. Stu is absolutely correct. A lock only keeps an honest man out! I have an alarm on the boat now. A little like locking the barn door after the horses have bolted.

By the way, it is pretty much the same key for most of these latches. At least for the Hunter family of boats.

companionway lock

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