Wisdom of using an'Unbreakable' killcord?

Nos4r2 · 30 June 2009, 16:02

I've been having problems recently with the plastic spiral killcords cracking and breaking. It's proving quite hard to get hold of one with a core as my local chandlers don't sell them.

Anyhow, looking through an old copy of a shooting magazine today, I spotted somewhere that sells kevlar cored plastic coated spiral pistol lanyards. They say they are virtually unbreakable.

Anyone got any thoughts on having one that's unlikely to snap if it got caught on the way out of the boat?

GuyP · 30 June 2009, 16:12

As long as it releases from the controls and kills the engine before it gets caught I don't see a problem.

GuyP · 30 June 2009, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

As long as it releases from the controls and kills the engine before it gets caught I don't see a problem.

Unless the boats upside down of course.....

chewy · 30 June 2009, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I've been having problems recently with the plastic spiral killcords cracking and breaking. It's proving quite hard to get hold of one with a core as my local chandlers don't sell them.

Anyhow, looking through an old copy of a shooting magazine today, I spotted somewhere that sells kevlar cored plastic coated spiral pistol lanyards. They say they are virtually unbreakable.

Anyone got any thoughts on having one that's unlikely to snap if it got caught on the way out of the boat?

Sounds like a good idea, I think you've got more chance of getting thrown out the boat than capsizing it.

9D280 · 30 June 2009, 16:22

It only really needs to be strong enough to remove the plastic clip form the kill switch - your local friendly chandler can supply numerous colours off suitable thin rope! (and if you choose red nylon multibraid you get a really retro looking one!)

I might be a tad concerned about being attatched by my ankle (my switch is at knee height so cord goes round my leg) with my head the wrong side of the toobs - engine stopped or not!

Having said that, if same happened with a new cord, would you suffer the same problem? (although the plastic snap hookk would probably give way first)

Nos4r2 · 30 June 2009, 16:31

These are the ones I'm looking at:-
2nd and 3rd cord.
http://www.usmcpro.com
Search 'lanyard'.

jyasaki · 30 June 2009, 16:39

By using the killcord, you've taken steps to avoid a fairly likely scenario (ejection; unfortunately too common.)

I'm not sure your concerns about the latter are all that well founded, for a few reasons:

1) What is the likelihood of the situation occuring? For the clip to hang up on something as you exit the boat is, IMO, pretty long odds. I suppose you could test it by leaping out of the boat several times while it's on land...

2) Is that really any different than it was before? The cord in the OEM lanyard is relatively thin, but I'd also guess that it would take a pretty decent tug to get it to part. Depening on what it's clipped to, I'd guess, as did 9D280, that the key or clip would give way first.

3) Should it get hung up, does it actually present a threat? Kind of depends on orientation of everything when it all stops, but how many configurations would actually trap you underwater?

Then again, stranger things have happened, I suppose. I certainly wouldn't worry about it, but that's just me.

jky

SeaSkills · 30 June 2009, 17:40

You could always build a weak link into the system, and clip it to yourself with something strong enough to guarantee the disconnect but not so strong you couldn't break free if you had to

Nos4r2 · 30 June 2009, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

You could always build a weak link into the system, and clip it to yourself with something strong enough to guarantee the disconnect but not so strong you couldn't break free if you had to

I was thinking that- maybe a keyring or something before the clip.

Poly · 30 June 2009, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I was thinking that- maybe a keyring or something before the clip.

Or a bit of that red stuff they use for a normal kill cord

Avocet · 30 June 2009, 19:07

Nos

For a pledge of two beer tokens (which you can pay when we next meet!) I'll pick you up one of these from Force 4 in Poole tomorrow and mail it to you first class:

http://www.force4.co.uk/553/Force-4-...d--Yamaha.html

If you want me to do that, let me know what type of clip you want.

David

Nos4r2 · 30 June 2009, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avocet

Nos

For a pledge of two beer tokens (which you can pay when we next meet!) I'll pick you up one of these from Force 4 in Poole tomorrow and mail it to you first class:

http://www.force4.co.uk/553/Force-4-...d--Yamaha.html

If you want me to do that, let me know what type of clip you want.

David

Thanks for the offer David, but unfortunately that's exactly the same as the ones that I'm having trouble with falling apart on their own.

willk · 30 June 2009, 19:48

here's one with free postage:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KEVLAR-COILED-...3A1%7C294%3A50

Limey Linda · 30 June 2009, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Or a bit of that red stuff they use for a normal kill cord

Or a short length of mono fishing line of say, 20lb. test. At least it gives you some idea of the load it will break at.. Remember a knot in mono can reduce the strength by as much as 50%.

Nos4r2 · 30 June 2009, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

here's one with free postage:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KEVLAR-COILED-...3A1%7C294%3A50

Cheers. Just bought one.

At a tenner it's worth trying one anyway

willk · 30 June 2009, 20:52

Your welcome - Fleabay is Your Friend!

Seriously though, I nailed a 28G Uk and Ireland Navionics Gold card on there a couple of weeks back for £72 - it's worth watching!

chewy · 01 July 2009, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Or a short length of mono fishing line of say, 20lb. test. At least it gives you some idea of the load it will break at.. Remember a knot in mono can reduce the strength by as much as 50%.

Thats if it doesn't cut through your arm first!

m chappelow · 01 July 2009, 12:38

wonder if that very thick heavy duty strimmer line would do .or plastic micro tubing or windscreen washer pipe ,though as CHEWY said you dont want it to slice into your arm. .ps as i was writing this looks like CHEWY has just launched on a shout with the lifeboat ,,

chewy · 01 July 2009, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

ps as i was writing this looks like CHEWY has just launched on a shout with the lifeboat ,,

Bugger, thats another I've missed... am still in Norway!