Kill switch

[broadbent]

What are your views about attaching a kill switch to an inboard engine?
Where is the best place to fit one?

 

[DavidJ]

I think with safety you have to weigh up convenience (or inconvenience) with the statistical chance of an occurance plus the severity of the occurance.
If you usually travel with a companion it may well be better to keep things running if you fall out so that rescue can commence ASAP by your buddy.
If you travel alone you may have a point I guess
David

 

[hlb]

Very inconvenient for going to bog and making tea or butties. Also would need very long string for going upstairs and down again! <g>

Haydn

 

[BarryD]

The RYA instructor wondered why I don't have one - he's mainly on ribs, I told him I'd need to be very unlucky to fall overboard. He then pointed out that if I ever single hand it could be important. If I ever feel the need then I will get one of those car alarm types - remove the key and it all stops stuff - and improve the theft protection at the same time.

Barry D

 

[DavidJ]

Just had a thought, if you fall in with the kill switch 'key' round your wrist then your buddy is literally powerless to help. On the brighter side it also stops them absconding with your boat, leaving you in the water.
David

 

[Guest]

On most of the outboards which I have used equiped with this feature there is a "emergency restart key" attached to the engine so that if you do fall off taking the normal one with you, any other person who might be on board can insert this emergency key, restart the engine and then come back for you.

 

[mtb]

Has no one developed an automatic system that the wearer clips on to his person then if ,the person goes out of range ( in harbour ) or the unit sences a certain depth of water it not only cuts the engine but can if linked up to navigation system return to sensor unit ie you the poor b________d who fell over .
Mick

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v/cheep or swap for tug

 

[hlb]

Ye that sounds great, unless it runs over you first!!

Haydn

 

[MikeBrazier]

If you fall overboard next to a pontoon or concrete pile the boat would then automatically drive straight in to it! ;-)