nf,
that is the biggest thing i worry about when im heading down to the launch. Man that is tough story...Next time will be better... it can only BE better... at least that what i used to say with my old 1976 merc
not to sound like a jerk, but this happened to me last week...
did you have the safety ignition clip in (not sure what the correct term for that is, lanyard??) I was so used to keeping the key in it on my old boat that taking it out after every trip, i forgot to clip it back on one early morning.
sometimes it's that simple....
ps glad you have a dry boat cause it coulda been a lot worse!