kill cord question

[ZEBRA]

my kill cord has a curly lead with a loop on one end now if i was just playing about just tryng out the engine i would think the loop would go over my wrist but if i am fishing it would be in the way on my rist so if i put an extension on the kill cord to make it longer what should i attach it to

[philpot]

It depends how you view it Terry. If fishing, the motor is unlikely to be on so do you need the kill chord to be attached. If the motor is running at all, must be connected, try a dog lead.

Phil

[ZEBRA]

i was thinking of one of the curly wire things with a clip on each end (for keys) if i was to attach it to the back of my pfd i could use the clip to clip it on to the kill cord and it would not be in the way i think. would that work ok

[kerny]

Kill cords should always be worn whilst the engine is running... Like the life jacket slogan says... "useless unless worn"... the same applies to the kill cord.

With a tiller engine I wouldn't recommend lengthening the cord the reason being you are sat much closer to the prop than you are on a centre console model so If you capsize or fall overboard the engine will cut out almost instantaneously before you go into the brinny and save you a lot of grief from being chopped up by the prop, but if lengthened it wouldn't do its job. You would be amazed how powerful and dangerous a small outboard can be.

Always best to attach the kill cord to your wrist when using a tiller engine.

Hope this helps,

Steve.

[philpot]

I have used for some time telephone curly wire with clips on each end for rod connectors. They are so stretchy with no resistance when stretched and also free just look for an old phone.

Phil

[ZEBRA]

but does the cord not get in the way while your fishing i dont mean when on the anchor because the engine would be stoped so no problem taking the cord off your wrist but if drifting short drifts surley you dont stop the engine at the start of every drift would it not just be a case of sliping it in to newtral during the short drift and jigging the drift would it not get in the way then if on your wrist.
what do you do with it in that case so its not in the way

[philpot]

Never done really short drifts Terry so I can't say but Kerny has a very valid point regarding the longer chord. To be honest I think I would cut the motor because most motors in sound order will start very easily, it is not a big job.

Phil

[kerny]

Oct 31, 2013 9:30:55 GMT -1 philpot said:

To be honest I think I would cut the motor because most motors in sound order will start very easily, it is not a big job.

Phil

Thats very true Phil.

Terry the other solution is to attach the cord round the top of your knee there is plenty of it do do this, this way both your hands are free and the kill cord still has the desired effect.

This is what I do when on my rib.

[ZEBRA]

great idea steve i will do that it won't be in the way then and still do its job thanks gents problem 1 solved

[SEAJUNKY]

To break this down into basics, the only function is to stop the motor if you loose control, like falling in or out of the boat, so it needs to be attached each and every time the motor is running. I used to have a key ring on a belt loop which I used to connect via a spring clip. Nice and easy to attach and take off, and out of the way.

[nala]

Firstly, ensure before starting the engine,the steering is straight...

The killcord is attached around the persons thigh closest to the o/b engine.
If the vessel has a helm/steering wheel,then loop it around the thigh closest to the remote throttle control unit.
As mentioned earlier looped around anywhere above the knee...

And under no circumstance must the killcord be lengthened or altered in anyway.
Usually in an overboard situation the killcord detaches flicking the kill switch off
with very little resistance.

And if at anchor,with the engine off it can be removed but make sure its kept safe.
But,in a readily available place....good practice is to have a spare one onboard aswell.

Whether or not your boating alone "keep a good lookout at all times",especially whilst re-clipping the killcord into the switch.

As a tip, its quite difficult at times to compress the doglead type clip... i just push the plastic teardrop/loop/prong through it before attaching to the switch.

Remember its easier to pull the killcord in a situation other than to trying to steer yourself out of it....in most cases they usually occur at speed!

And by the time you've tried to steer out you've traveled closer into that situation,where a collision is imminent.

Thanks for reading and stay safe on the water.

[philpot]

Good post Nala