AutoTether- Any Users?

I preach using a PFD every time a person is in a boat. We ALL know that but what about that kill switch?

I know it’s pretty much the only thing that’s going to keep the boat around to have a chance in swimming back to and then there’s the “circle of death” when the boat is circling the person in the water making being struck by the prop real.

I use mine frequently. Not all the time and less during the day light. I wore out my first tether 4-5 years ago and needed to replace it (yes I use it that much boating at night). I’ve been taught to be in control of the boat on the river at all times. That means the motor is running before the anchor is pulled…always in control.

The problem that I hate with the tethers is when I stand up to drop anchor or even grab the rope in the lock and the motor kills because I forgot I was wearing the tether. There’s times when I’m running from one spot to another a short distance away and intentionally leave it off.

Last year when I was reading over my insurance coverage I notice that I’m not covered if I’m not wearing my kill tether! I’m not sure if it’s always been this way or it was a change.

I noticed a new NPAA sponsor called AutoTether. It’s a device that attaches to the kill switch and can be run off of batteries or wired directly. There’s a pager like device that the boater attaches to himself and if they get to far away or go in the drink, kills the engine. Wireless or in this case TETHERLESS.

I’m thinking this is going to solve the problem of remembering to put the tether on and just as importantly, to take it off before moving around the boat.

Has anyone used one? Do they work as claimed?

Looks like a great idea! 300 bucks for a convenience item seems a bit out of my price range though.

“Last year when I was reading over my insurance coverage I notice that I’m not covered if I’m not wearing my kill tether! I’m not sure if it’s always been this way or it was a change.”

Darn insurance companies always looking for a way out of paying out!

I use my tether when alone, but it sure is a pain in the butt. I like the main motor running when I stow the trolling motor or the anchor but can’t have both as you pointed out. I have a kill lanyard permanently attached to the boat and the other end always in the kill switch. Attached to my vest is another tether with a metal clip that attaches to the tether in the switch so I don’t always kill the motor trying to deploy the anchor or trolling motor. Maybe not as good as the wireless, but keeps me using the kill switch a lot more often than I would otherwise.

Not sure if this is the same as you are referencing BK, but this is a link to the one I saw once before: https://www.fellmarine.com/?gclid=CN6mmcHO29ECFZUkgQodaUsAFA

My tether has been lengthened. Not a lot, but enough that I can stand to net a fish. I do (try) to use it all the time. I do a lot of fishing while just solo in my boat.

I was looking at this one.

http://www.autotether.com/

It’s just over $200.00 and even at that it seems a little on the high side but then again, I would have my kill switch attached at all times. Insurance covered, if I ever needed it, it’s on. I can’t always say that with my tether.

5 minute installation unless I want to hard wire it and that’s what I would do.

Hopefully someone has used them or something like it?

Sounds like a great idea.

I wonder if it can kill 2 motors that aren’t running in tandem. I’m always afraid of falling out when I’m using the kicker out on superior.

I’m not sure Biggill. If they are on the same kill switch I’m sure it would. They connect directly to the kill switch. The tether end can be changed to fit a kill switch from different motors as Yamaha, Merc ect. are all different.

But then they can be run off of batteries (portable) or hard wired.

I’m going to have one sent out since the only thing I could find on line about them is they use batteries.

BK is the tethet insurance clause in your policy because of being a fishing guide? If it is you are no longer guiding so that clause should be deleted from your policy.

I never use the tether and probably should. As I am getting older maybe a little wiser I have been thinking I should start taking safety a lot more seriously. At first I thought $ 200.00 sounds like a lot but when I think of the new rod or other equipment I will probably buy but don’t need for this upcoming fishing season, doesn’t seem so out of line when it could save my life. Thanks for bringing this up, at the very least if I decide I need that new rod I will at least start using the tether this year when moving.

mxskeeter wrote:

BK is the tethet insurance clause in your policy because of being a fishing guide? If it is you are no longer guiding so that clause should be deleted from your policy.

I’m not sure if this is something moving into all policies or just my commercial insurance. Since I’ve renewed my CG License I plan on making a couple trips in June. I’ll still need the commercial insurance.

While thinking about it now, forget about the insurance piece, it just makes sense at least in my mind.

Anyone see the bass tourney guys that were doing 57 mph and had a “mechanical failure” in the steering system? By wearing a tether and inflatables, the climbed back into their own boat.

All recorded on a go pro.

It’s that one log just under the surface that scares the heck out of me.