Looking to purchase a Westerbeke 21 ignition key

General
1

If anyone has an extra key or can get a copy made, I would love to buy one. My new-to-me NS26C did not come with a key.

2

Brandon,

There’s got to be a story behind the owner turning over the boat without a key.

I hope someone can help you, but I’m not sure all W21 keys are identical. I’d hope not. The whole purpose of keys is to limit who can use whatever they go to.

I switched to electric several years ago, but my recollection was that there was nothing special about the ignition set-up. If all else fails, you could take the instrument panel out of the coaming and replace it with any off-the-shelf marine grade ignition switch and the keys that’d come with it.

– Bob

3

Brandon, you might take advantage of the opportunity to forego the key. A few years ago my 26c with same engine suffered from a failed spring in the ignition key switch which left the starter motor running after the diesel started. Fried the wiring to the battery box and virtually melted the mains switch to a lump of red plastic. And the starter motor was toast. I replaced that with a momentary contact switch for start and another for glow. Another single on-off switch between the starter motor and new start switch (inconspicuously installed down below) is now the ‘security’ instead of a key. The rewiring and replacement parts, let alone the stench and downtime were costly and time consuming. Otherwise I kept the panel as all the gauges are fine. I understand this happened to a few others with Westerbeke panels (mine is a 1983). All good now although I am considering going electric.

4

I think the key and switch are fairly generic, unlike a vehicle that incorporates anti-theft and steering lock features specific to each model of car. You can probably just get one at marine store, they’re not specific to Westerbeke. Check out West Marine to start with. But get a quality marine one that won’t rust and cause you trouble in the future. Pull the panel out, take a picture of the back of the original switch to reference where the wires go. Pretty easy to do.

5

Thanks, I’ll try that.

Thank You,
Brandan Hoffman
Designer/Draftsman
M: 215.499.1040 | F: 267-583-3197