Lanyard to disable engine when operator leaves the helm

[gwhitten]

Maine is requiring that operators must use a lanyard connected to the boat kill switch which will disable the engine if the operator leaves the cockpit. There is a new Coast Guard requirement mandating its use for most operations.
I thought it would be good to have a central place for all questions regarding lanyards in light of the new law.

 

[nola mike]

Maine is requiring that operators must use a lanyard connected to the boat kill switch which will disable the engine if the operator leaves the cockpit. There is a new Coast Guard requirement mandating its use for most operations.
I thought it would be good to have a central place for all questions regarding lanyards in light of the new law.

Last I saw this was only if your boat came equipped with it. No requirement to retrofit. I don't know if Maine has enacted more stringent rules...

 

[gwhitten]

I have a 2004 190 SSI Chaparral with the Kill Switch on the Shifter/Throttle Control which is mounted on the Starboard wall of the cockpit. I have the Lanyard, but there does not seem to be a way to attach it to the on/off Kill Switch.
You are correct, Mike. I looked a little deeper, and this is what I found:
The Coast Guard requirement is for all federal waters. It does not cover Maine's inland waters. The Maine agency "highly encourages" the use but it is not mandated.

 

[gwhitten]

Here is a link to the Coast Guard Note:

Engine/Propulsion Cut-Off Devices

 

[BWR1953]

I have a 2004 190 SSI Chaparral with the Kill Switch on the Shifter/Throttle Control which is mounted on the Starboard wall of the cockpit. I have the Lanyard, but there does not seem to be a way to attach it to the on/off Kill Switch.
You are correct, Mike. I looked a little deeper, and this is what I found:
The Coast Guard requirement is for all federal waters. It does not cover Maine's inland waters. The Maine agency "highly encourages" the use but it is not mandated.

Post a pic of the throttle & switch.

 

[Texasmark]

Maine is requiring that operators must use a lanyard connected to the boat kill switch which will disable the engine if the operator leaves the cockpit. There is a new Coast Guard requirement mandating its use for most operations.
I thought it would be good to have a central place for all questions regarding lanyards in light of the new law.

Texas has the same law. I think its a good idea since I always boat alone and sometimes I get up around 50 and things happen pretty fast......and I am a senior citizen, without the faculties I once had.

 

[pgandw]

North Carolina law changed to require use of lanyard and kill switch if on plane (mirrors CG). Pretty sensible, but difficult to enforce. But it sure beats mandatory while trolling or getting ready to dock or motor sailing.

For jet skis, use of the kill switch/lanyard is mandatory at all times.

Fred W

 

[FLATHEAD]

Texas has the same law. I think its a good idea since I always boat alone and sometimes I get up around 50 and things happen pretty fast......and I am a senior citizen, without the faculties I once had.

I’m with ya. I fish alone a lot. My balance is trashed anymore. Wear a PFD every minute I’m on the water, also have the coiled lanyard hooked to my kill switch, it can be a PIA at times. It’s law here.

 

[airshot]

As a lone older boater, I also use mine when at speed or rough seas. Often I have a long 15-20 minute ride at idle speed to get out of a canal. Here I don't use as I often get my gear ready while making this long slow ride. People need to use their common sense if they have any left....

 

[cyclops222]

That switch also prevents your runaway boat from hitting other boats or swimmers.

 

[flashback]

Have you ever pulled it at speed , the boat will stop in a heartbeat. I pulled mine accidentally at wot, it almost thru me over the bow.

 

[airshot]

Have you ever pulled it at speed , the boat will stop in a heartbeat. I pulled mine accidentally at wot, it almost thru me over the bow.

Lots of drag from the water, one reason a boat engine uses lots of fuel compared to a road vehicle.

 

[cyclops222]

Time for another sea story.
1st week with my brand new 2002 Chaparral 186 with the 200 hp V 8. Doing the first WOT with the hand held GPS. I am running in the Clayton, N Y bay all alone. At 50 mph watching The GPS as I head out of the shallow bay towards the main channel. Looking good. As I am at 52 mph.
I am suddenly AIRBORNE for a second or 2. I stop looking at the GPS just as the boat lands on the water. I come out of the bucket seat and my teeth are inches from the top pipe of the windshield.
I still have both hands on the steering wheel.

LUCK ALWAYS BEATS SKILL !

 

[dubs283]

200 hp V 8....... Looking good...... AIRBORNE

Speed runs require a second set of eyes

 

[cyclops222]

I did not see the wake from a long passed by freighter. It jumps up as the pressure wave from the freighter hits the shallow ledge of the bay. I now call it the Tsunami Effect from big freighters. I had a similar wave at another bay near Clayton. was doing 30 ? mph with wife. The tallest wave rolled almost to the top of the windshield. Bow cover was fully snapped in place.

 

[Texasmark]

Have you ever pulled it at speed , the boat will stop in a heartbeat. I pulled mine accidentally at wot, it almost thru me over the bow.

That's why most lower units have an overrun clutch in F gear. Otherwise every time you chop the throttle you are subject to having your teeth embedded in the windshield.

 

[Black58]

I did not see the wake from a long passed by freighter. It jumps up as the pressure wave from the freighter hits the shallow ledge of the bay. I now call it the Tsunami Effect from big freighters. I had a similar wave at another bay near Clayton. was doing 30 ? mph with wife. The tallest wave rolled almost to the top of the windshield. Bow cover was fully snapped in place.

Happens here on Lake Huron too!

 

[cyclops222]

The sad / dangerous thing about freighter waves in shallow bays ? You can turn away from the coming wave. BUT What do you do as you approach the shore line or docked boats ? The white capped biggie is still coming after you.
I now pick bays with a breakwater or a sticking out shoreline to hide behind.

 

[airshot]

Speed runs require a second set of eyes

My hand self GPS is setup to keep the highest recorded speed until it is manually erased. Over the years made many speed runs with various toys, always kept my eyes on where I was headed...I knew it would hurt to much if I didn't !!

 

[Texasmark]

My experience with large waves is to not take them head-on. 45* and slow speed to maintain steerage, has been my solution. On some, where it seems appropriate, if your boat has a wide beam for lateral support, I have run in the trough and slowly moved up over the crest till I was out of the wake. I do this on windy lakes too. On Oceanliners, 3 crests is usually what I encounter.

On the faster boats with the appropriate V type hull (some with the BB pad) I have had, with 2-3' waves, I have accelerated, getting on top of the waves and accelerated, heading directly into the wind, whereby the boat would softly, hit crest to crest, and the transom would dip down comfortably as the bow would pass over the crest.