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2012 273 sliding door locks

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2026 10:28 am
by mbohlingid
First summer enjoying my 2012 273. Have worked out some kinks but am still working on some nagging issues. A very small issue concerns the sliding doors covering the head and the cuddy cabin entrance. When I bought the boat those locks were unlocked (thankfully!) but no keys were provided when I received the ignition key. Some research indicates that no one (Cobalt, EasyKeys, etc.) can sell me a key for those locks, even with the provided codes. They are Southco locks. Has anyone replaced those locks? I'm assuming it's an easy job. If you've replaced them, what 2026 lock would be suitable? - matt

Re: 2012 273 sliding door locks

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2026 10:56 am
by jhnmdahl
If you can remove the lock and take it to a locksmith, some are talented enough to make a key for a lock without having another key using a process called "impressioning" where they file the key down based on marks left by the pins when they try to turn the key against the locked lock.

Have you tried contacting Southco? It seems unusual that they couldn't provide keys (or at least information on how to get one made) for their own locks. Check out https://southco.com/en_us_int/contactus