Kill Cords

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by harryesd

i'm quite happy with my trusted cord

You and me and lots of others

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by harryesd

I will still wear and prefer my own, round my leg, with a spare cord on crew, and in boat box incase my one breaks or gets lost etc IMO

Me too. I don't like the idea of the motor shutting down 'within 2 seconds'. That's a lot further to swim to self rescue. It's hard enough swimming at all with clothing on.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by harryesd

I don't know....didnt read how it worked, i just spotted it. a few folk have asked why cant we have wireless ones, it was put up in answer to that. As iv'e said before i'm quite happy with my trusted cord round my leg.

It mechanically operates the original equipment kill cord switch with a different adapter for each engine.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Cookee

It mechanically operates the original equipment kill cord switch with a different adapter for each engine.

Sounds complicated, messy and introduces a bucket load of potential fail points.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Leapy

Sounds complicated, messy and introduces a bucket load of potential fail points.

IMO, doesn't look too good stuck to the dash either.

Are they fail 'safe'-ie , if they go wrong do they stop the engine?

I read up on the CoastKey system. They sounds prohibitively complicated way to make your boat act like your car on a remote.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Are they fail 'safe'-ie

Fail safe-ie and cigar lighter plug. Hmmm...

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Leapy

Sounds complicated, messy and introduces a bucket load of potential fail points.

agreed - I wasn't recommending it!

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Cookee

agreed - I wasn't recommending it!

For sure Hadn't got you down as a wireless kill cord man :-)

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Leapy

For sure Hadn't got you down as a wireless kill cord man :-)

The race boat has a roof and full 6 point harnesses with air so we have a stop button, kill cords are a bit redundant when you're strapped in!

[Al Baker]

Personally I wouldn't need a sign on a boat that says "kill cord!" because I've learned by experience (hideous) that kill cords are essential. Therefore I would say that it's a matter of education rather than enforcement that's needed. If you've been educated as to why they are essential and choose not to wear one then it's entirely up to you.
How you wear it what it's made of and what shape it is all down to common sense and problem solving. I think that a wireless kill cord sounds like the perfect solution. However having seen how most computerized electrical gadgets get on at sea I would be very surprised if it actually worked when it was needed.
Foot straps in boats with Jockey seats (if correctly fitted and used) are a very good of ensuring that the driver stays in the boat no matter how rough the ride. I've been in some situations where I was very glad I had foot straps and I can recommend fitting them for sure.
Of course if you're indoors and have six point harnesses then that will also help to ensure that the driver stays put when the going gets rough.
Some vessels, well it would just be silly to have them fitted and some, like tiller helm sibs for example, it's totally essential, given what tends to happen when transverse thrust and lightweight hulls team up in full throttle hunt the driver spiraling circles with spinning butchers knives whatever the horsepower.
Having said all that, if some chap from a yachting magazine or the RYA came and told me that I had to wear one then it would probably put me off somewhat. ;-)

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Cookee

The race boat has a roof and full 6 point harnesses with air so we have a stop button, kill cords are a bit redundant when you're strapped in!

I remember it well!. Sat in it at Charlestown one time. Very impressive

[DGR]

The kill cord debate is interesting - even though we don't yet know that it was the cause in the Padstow incident.

I've tried to attach mine in various places - around the leg works best for me - although I have lengthened it. I've only tripped it once in 8 years - and then it took me a bit to work out why the engine had stopped!!

If 'enforcement' arrives - not only will it increase the costs vastly - but the easiest place to get 'done' is at the point where you sometimes have to disconnect. I have to unattach to get my mooring single handed - or tie up on the quayside single handed. In all honesty, where is the 'enforcer' most likely to be?

Our local council (Gwynedd) insists on registration before you launch (within office hours anyway... ) - and the paperwork requires proof of insurance, and for jetski's, proof of the 1 day RYA course. The proof of insurance is enforced - but the cert of competance never has been.

The best way to encourage education is for insurance companies to offer a discount if you do your PB2 - and for launch authorites not to permit launching without insurance.

[hullguy]

Educate Educate Educate,Training to pb2 would be the intelligent option as this should promote best practice to both new and "experienced" boaters remember familiarity breeds contempt in my honest opinion

[ian parkes]

It seems to me the kill cord gets overlooked because its cheap and nasty . A standard kill cord with the fiddly clip etc is anoying to use and not very comfy especially if you have shorts on .
making it comfy and easy to use with a better attatchment is the way top go , like the dog collar idea or just a decent clip on the end
I use an elastic loop on mine with tiller steer as it goes around my wrist , the loop hangs on the tiller and when i go to hold the tiller i just slip the elastic around my wrist . Even then i have forgotten at times especially when leaving a busy slipway , i usually notice it well before i get moving very fast .

[DGR]

It is cheap and nasty - but I'll bet it's more reliable (if used!!) than any other 'techno' option.

I'm also going to go the red dog-collar route - on yer leg, or on the throttle......

[harryesd]

Originally Posted by DGR

It is cheap and nasty - but I'll bet it's more reliable (if used!!) than any other 'techno' option.

I'm also going to go the red dog-collar route - on yer leg, or on the throttle......

I've been down this road before about extending kill cords etc, I ended up getting lines from someone that slips my memory. I use (have done for years) a diving ankle lanyard that's easy to get on eBay. Because its coiled it fits round even the largest thighs, waterproof etc etc and I leave it on even walking about when landed. It doesn't extend the cord anymore than wearing on a wrist or life jacket, and operates leaving the seat long before reaching the tubes. Even sliding to the rear seat it operates, so to me it's a great thing IMO

[Al Baker]

Typical kill cord fail. Not sure what the police are up to there. All you need to do is throw some rope in the water.

Police capture 14-ft boat circling out of control - YouTube

[ShinyShoe]

Was waiting for them to shoot the engine out... ...the american police have disappointed me.

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Was waiting for them to shoot the engine out... ...the american police have disappointed me.

No, no, no. They use lasers nowadays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awsQs4ct0c4

[C2 RIBS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=xT16FK2KfXs

This sales video was just sent out on FB for the world to see from an overseas RIB. The greatest areas of concern to me is sales/manufaturers ignore safety all many sales vids and images. This does not even seem to have a kill cord fitted for twins and the loveley image of two women hanging onto the helm could be very short lived. Perhaps Powerboat and RIB can influence the market in these areas.