Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Kill Switch

Posted by AJR on 05/08/08 - 7:35 AM
#1

I know you should never remove the kill switch from the ignition circuit, but if i were to do that (on an '86 Evenrude)--- would you simply have the black w/ yellow wire go to one "M" on the ignition Switch and the black wire connect to the other "M" on the ignition switch?

THANX
AJR

Posted by Binkie on 05/08/08 - 4:03 PM
#2

The kill switch is only a break in the interruption of the current. Just remove the kill switch and wire the two wires together. I don`t use one unless the boat is fast enough that I worry about being thrown out.

rich

Posted by flippa on 05/08/08 - 4:45 PM
#3

Not to be a stick in the mud, but....

Fast boat, slow boat, small boat, big boat, whatever. I have slipped numerous times on my boats, but haven't fallen out yet. Still, I am in the process of yanking out old wiring & installing a bunch of new electrical crap on my boat. A new kill swich is included in the pile of stuff.

It would be a real drag watching your boat motor away from you if you did happened to fall out.

Posted by CapnJs on 05/08/08 - 5:10 PM
#4

I imagine it would be an even bigger drag if your boat were going in a circle and came around to get you in the water; say at a slow speed of 10 to 15.

I'm rewiring and a safety switch will be installed.

Posted by Derwd24 on 05/08/08 - 6:56 PM
#5

So you guys are saying that every time you get behind the wheel you hook the kill switch lanyard to your person?

Joe, I think that would be a great topic for a future poll, how many people actually use that safety feature regularly?

Posted by Gary Sr on 05/09/08 - 5:30 AM
#6

I don't use the existing kill switch because it limits my movement around the boat. What I have found is a "AutoTether", man overboard wireless motor shut-off. Basically, you alone or with a passanger wear a small sensor on your belt. There is a wireless kill sensor attached to the boats kill switch. Should you fall in the water the sensor you are wearing shuts of the boat's engine. Simple to install and a really great safey factor. You have free movement around the boat. I have my 5 yr old grandson wear one of the sensors along with his life jacket. The unit can be found at www.brownspoint.com The unit can easily be moved from boat to boat so if you have two boats you can use the unit on each.

Edited by Jeff on 05/09/08 - 8:29 AM

Posted by Jeff on 05/09/08 - 8:30 AM
#7

Interesting Product

http://www.autotether.com/home.cfmm/home.cfm

Posted by flippa on 05/09/08 - 3:47 PM
#8

My montauk had the kill switch. When I was out solo (which was quite often) I would always hook it on. It doesn't really bother me at all when standing behind the helm as I rarely stroll around the boat when under way. It clips right off when you stop & want to move around.

The outrage did not have a kill switch when I bought it. One will be going back in it this weekend.

When I have other people on the boat, I usually will not wear it. Typically I do not go anywhere near as fast as I do when I am by myself as the passangers will bitch. If I was to fall out, someone else hopefully is still on board to grab the helm & turn around to get me. Still, there are times even with passangers on board that it gets clipped on.

I do tend to run the hell out of the boat when I am by myself. Gotta love WOT, lots of fun!!! There is nothing better than flying along on the boat with the hammer all the way down. I know a few other guys out here also like to go a little fast in the whaler. There is that famous picture of Tom launching his boat off a huge wave. I have had my boats completely out of the water, just no cool pictures of it to share. I would have to bet that more than a few of you guys have as well.

If I did get tossed overboard, I would prefer having the option of swimming back to the boat. I can only imagine that watching it go away with no one on board would just suck bigtime! I typically do not wear a pdf, and can only tread water for so long.

Call me over-cautious if you like, but I do wear mine.

I have never been in a nasty car accident either, but I still wear a seatbelt.

Posted by kamie on 05/09/08 - 7:06 PM
#9

Gary
I think that is going on my to-do list. Very cool product and since I usually boat alone, a nice safety feature.

Posted by Jeff on 05/09/08 - 7:27 PM
#10

I always remove the clips on the end of my kill switches as I do not trust aging plastic. What I do then is run a velcro strap through the end of the lanyard and wear it on my throttle wrist. Much like a kill switch for a PWC. This way I can kill the engine in a instant with the quick jerk of the wrist and do not have to reach for a key or find a lanyard strapped to me elsewhere.

Here is an image.

Edited by Jeff on 05/09/08 - 7:30 PM

Posted by MW on 05/10/08 - 2:30 AM
#11

I use it if alone, or going fast in rough water, always connect it to your clothes as it can slip off your wrist if you go over (it should be used all the time), it would be great if the boat just went away but, as mentioned above, the outboard will slap up against the transom with the boat going in circles until you get run over (happen's more often than you think).
mw