Kill Cords

[neil.mccrirrick]

I know there have been lots of threads re this, I hope this is not a repeat, did a quick search and didn't find out.

So we all use them and the use is not in question. My question is do you carry a spare and where do you store it?

I'm on the Menai straits a fair amount and for those that know there can be a fair bit of current. So in a scenario where you as driver part company with your boat, some types of kill cord will come with you attached to you, which is all good, engine stopped etc

Problem now is you're in current and drifting from the rib, the only way back is the rib coming to you. And if you have the type of kill switch that needs the cord plugged into it, and you have the cord now what?

I have a spare wrapped around the steering column for exactly this problem, I just wondered if others had thought about this or had different solutions?

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[Ian M]

As has been said before, no additional kill cord needed with an Etec, if the kill cord is 'pulled', you can simply re-start the engine on the key. Seems so simple why don't other manufacturers do it this way?

[neil.mccrirrick]

Yep you could on my last rib too which had a mercury on it, just flip the switch into the up position. That's not going to work on the tohatsu you have to plug the cord in hence the risk

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[kerny]

If it's a side mounted controls Neil, just keep a spare clipped to the throttle cables.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by neil.mccrirrick

I have a spare wrapped around the steering column for exactly this problem, I just wondered if others had thought about this or had different solutions?

Yes - it lives at the top of a box in the console with other "emergency" kit in there. Those who need to know are aware of its location and the process for restarting (in a "panic" it seems likely that not putting engine back to neutral is a likely problem).

Originally Posted by Ian M

if the kill cord is 'pulled', you can simply re-start the engine on the key. Seems so simple why don't other manufacturers do it this way?

I guess that means if your rescue crew somehow go over there is the risk of two bodies in the water and a run away boat. It also means that there is the risk you accidentally trigger it and then reset it the quick way (certainly the old mercury toggle switch could be ignored like that). I've never understood how the etec one works but I assume it is "electronic" rather than mechanical so is something else to go wrong.

[Bushrider]

I have a second one with a very short cord attached to the key . If I go over board a second person can start the motor within seconds .
Also no need to leave anything in the boat - key & cord going into my pocket when I leave the boat .

[MustRib]

securely taped inside the OB cowling !

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by kerny

If it's a side mounted controls Neil, just keep a spare clipped to the throttle cables.

Yes. One goes 'missing' the other is right there

[AJ.]

Originally Posted by kerny

If it's a side mounted controls Neil, just keep a spare clipped to the throttle cables.

+1 in clear view so crew can attach quick and get me out of the water quick

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by AJ.

+1 in clear view so crew can attach quick and get me out of the water quick

But only if you trust the crew not to run you over if you're in the water.....

[AJ.]

Originally Posted by PeterM

But only if you trust the crew not to run you over if you're in the water.....

Good point I think its time to do some MOB refresher with my scurvy lot I'm sure they would have forgotten about windage technique and remembering to take the boat out of gear to start it up

[Mollers]

The Honda throttle box on the SR has a spare kill tab clipped into the plastic body. If one goes over the side with the helmsman, there's another readily at hand for the crew.

My lad reckons that he bounced himself half out whilst flying across the Bay with a pal. He managed to haul himself back in without the killcord pulling out. It put the wind up him, which was a lesson learnt.

[Hightower]

One thing worth mentioning is that it's surprising the numbers of crew that I've conducted a basic MOB exercise with who forget to put the throttle in to neutral before restarting and can't figure why the engine won't start.

BTW I had an old Yamaha that could only be used with a kill clip in position (without one it wouldn't work). I think all new outboards can be started without a kill cord as a safety feature but older ones don't always have this facility.

[Northern Tim]

Originally Posted by PeterM

But only if you trust the crew not to run you over if you're in the water.....

I keep a spare kill cord clipped to a handle by the throttle. I also keep a kayaker's throw line clipped to the tubes for my crew to use once they driven back to within 10m of me. (I don't trust them to not run me over - mostly, they only come with me once or twice a year).

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Mollers

The Honda throttle box on the SR has a spare kill tab clipped into the plastic body. If one goes over the side with the helmsman, there's another readily at hand for the crew.

My lad reckons that he bounced himself half out whilst flying across the Bay with a pal. He managed to haul himself back in without the killcord pulling out. It put the wind up him, which was a lesson learnt.

Did that on my SR4 as well.It's a hairy experience and not hard to do either.

I keep 2 spare killcords on the 5.4-one on the grab rail in front of the wheel, and one in the the spares box.
That way if one gets broken/damaged somehow,or I forget one there's still a spare.

[mister p]

Ultimately the kill cord is to stop the boat/vessel running away. It's not a security device only enabling the owner to start the boat as in car stuff.
So as long as the engine dies when the skipper/helm is thrown over, that is the kill cord's job done. There should be another device (identical) on board, enabling the crew to restart the engine. They should also be shown how to do this.
Every crew member should really carry a kill cord around their wrist or person.

[Starovich]

current will effect you and the boat equally, wind however..., and I have a spare in the safety kit and my crew has a spare attached to her LJ

[Mextli]

I retro-fitted the old 1990 Mercury Killswitches to all my boats , the ones that are actual switches, so you can restart the engine without the small bit in an emergency or modify a shoelace to use as killswitch.

[chris.moody]

As I am mostly out with people who are not familiar with driving boats at all, my safety brief is to push the red button on the DSC radio for 5 seconds until it bleeps, then wait for assistance to arrive. I do not want anyone who has never driven a boat before trying to start the engine and attempting to come and get me so I don't tell them that a spare killcord is onboard.

In a leisure not commercial environment if I was out with other competent people, then my safety brief is that everything you may need is in my grab bag (killcord, safety knife, basic first aid kit, handheld VHF, handheld GPS). Thinking about it I may put a throw line in my grab bag for this season.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by chris.moody

As I am mostly out with people who are not familiar with driving boats at all, my safety brief is to push the red button on the DSC radio for 5 seconds until it bleeps, then wait for assistance to arrive. I do not want anyone who has never driven a boat before trying to start the engine and attempting to come and get me so I don't tell them that a spare killcord is onboard.

.

Was on a corporate jolly on one of solent rib charter boats and asked the skipper if he had a spare cord.....once I explained my boating history he told me yes and where it was.

His view was same as Chris..unless someone is competent you'd not want to survive falling in, then get killed by an attempted recovery......