Don’t forget the kill cord !

[Bouba]

https://boattest.com/article/three-...tm_content=360858968&utm_source=hs_automation

 

[bowler]

A too familiar tale.

 

[ylop]

A too familiar tale.

It is - but for some reason the message just doesn’t seem to sink in - in particular with yachtsmen using tenders. It very much the exception to see kill cords actually in use with 2-5hp engines.

 

[Alicatt]

It is - but for some reason the message just doesn’t seem to sink in - in particular with yachtsmen using tenders. It very much the exception to see kill cords actually in use with 2-5hp engines.

My 2HP Honda does not have a kill-cord or even provision for one.

 

[ylop]

My 2HP Honda does not have a kill-cord or even provision for one.

There’s not many engines that old still running. Retrofit kits are available but my “criticism” is for those who leave it dangling/tangled round the tiller.

 

[Bouba]

My 2HP Honda does not have a kill-cord or even provision for one.

Are you sure ?....my Honda 2.3 does

 

[wonkywinch]

Don't forget to have a spare on board so the people you left behind can get the engine started again and come and pick you up.

I always wear mine even using the ePropulsion leccy thing with plastic prop.

 

[Alicatt]

Are you sure ?....my Honda 2.3 does

Mine is from around 1989 a BF20, an older model before the 2.3

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

It is - but for some reason the message just doesn’t seem to sink in - in particular with yachtsmen using tenders. It very much the exception to see kill cords actually in use with 2-5hp engines.

On the other side of the coin, I have recently heard of more than one case where an engineer was called to fix an OB that "Ran perfectly all last season and now wont start" Helps if you attach the KC

 

[KevinV]

On the other side of the coin, I have recently heard of more than one case where an engineer was called to fix an OB that "Ran perfectly all last season and now wont start" Helps if you attach the KC

That was me 6 weeks ago - nearly took my arm out of the socket trying to get the ruddy thing going

 

[john_morris_uk]

I’ve lost count of the number of idiots driving around Caribbean anchorages with the kill cord dangling or tied round the tiller. A favourite technique with some is to stand up in the tender holding the painter with one hand and steering with the other and no kill cord in sight anywhere.

 

[ylop]

On the other side of the coin, I have recently heard of more than one case where an engineer was called to fix an OB that "Ran perfectly all last season and now wont start" Helps if you attach the KC

May be the same people! If they were in the routine of actually using the KC every time they would perhaps realise something was amiss!

 

[wonkywinch]

Powerboat.training.lifeboat on Instagram: "This is why we wear the kill cord and take extreme care when people are in the water around our boats. Don’t forget to follow me here for the stuff I can’t share on the big page."

 

[KevinV]

I’ve lost count of the number of idiots driving around Caribbean anchorages with the kill cord dangling or tied round the tiller. A favourite technique with some is to stand up in the tender holding the painter with one hand and steering with the other and no kill cord in sight anywhere.

That always used to be the Americans - oversized engines, planing their ribs through the anchorage?

 

[Bouba]

Powerboat.training.lifeboat on Instagram: "This is why we wear the kill cord and take extreme care when people are in the water around our boats. Don’t forget to follow me here for the stuff I can’t share on the big page."

The missing foot was a shocker

 

[ingenious]

Don't forget to have a spare on board so the people you left behind can get the engine started again and come and pick you up.

I always wear mine even using the ePropulsion leccy thing with plastic prop.

That's a very good point. There was one with the motor that came with the boat ( brand new 2.5hp Suzuki) but I've not used it in anger yet. May well do once we get to the little coves in Spain.
Are they brand specific or generic?

 

[wonkywinch]

That's a very good point. There was one with the motor that came with the boat ( brand new 2.5hp Suzuki) but I've not used it in anger yet. May well do once we get to the little coves in Spain.
Are they brand specific or generic?

The petrol ones seem to be generic clips but the electric ones a proprietary magnet.

 

[Bigplumbs]

I must admit I forget to use mine a lot of the time. This is a good reminder

 

[ylop]

The petrol ones seem to be generic clips but the electric ones a proprietary magnet.

The petrol ones are brand specific too - albeit that some work in other brands.

Certainly the ePropulsion Elite whilst being “proprietary” is just a magnet on a piece of string - any magnet that fits the whole seems to work. The get accidentally pulled far more often than the traditional clips and is probably the worst part of the design.

 

[Bouba]

The petrol ones are brand specific too - albeit that some work in other brands.

Certainly the ePropulsion Elite whilst being “proprietary” is just a magnet on a piece of string - any magnet that fits the whole seems to work. The get accidentally pulled far more often than the traditional clips and is probably the worst part of the design.

I have a torqeedo and wonder about the same thing....
For a start the kill cord comes off every time I move my arm, which is annoying
Do we need it ?...if the throttle return to neutral when we let go (does it ?...I will check) it’s not like a petrol motor in idle
And the magnet is proprietary....in the sense that if I go overboard, whoever is left on the boat won’t find another to come and rescue me
Is it really just an anti theft device ?