Kill cord issue !!

[lewi]

Hi folks, I have not posted anything in a while but still follow the forum with interest on how other peeps deal with the day to day issues of boat owning, the reason for this post is that recently whilst afloat (not making way, just drowning worms ), I moved too far from the helm and the kill cord was tugged and disconnected but the engine did not stop, although the unit was checked recently a small piece of grit had found its way in and although tiny it was enough to prevent proper operation of the kill switch, some extra lubrication and several tests and all is good, had it jammed in the event of an emergency the out come could have been far worse, just thought I'd share as a wee reminder for folks to check and lub their own kill switches, better safe than sorry.

 

[sarabande]

Good point, Lewi, thanks. A valid reminder to test it from time to time.

 

[GrahamHR]

A very good point. Things need testing to make sure they still work.

It's astonishing that a kill cord/ switch was not mandatory to meet CE regulations at least up to 2009; maybe they are still not mandatory, I do not know. My 2009 American (VP diesel powered) boat did not have one, yet the petrol engined versions (VP and Mercruiser) did as standard.. The diesel kill cord/ switch is a little more expensive than the one for petrol engines due to the way it works, but for the manufacturer that can only have been a few $.

 

[No Regrets]

I usually turn my little Mercury 3.5 off using the kill cord! Never thought of testing one mind you....good call!