Back to Kill Switch Tethers

Jon Jordan wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brian Klawitter wrote:</div>
Every darn time I do remember to hook up the tether I forget about it and when I stand up to do anything in the boat the motor kills.

I’m pretty good about using the tether cord. However, I have it set up to wear around my wrist. (Left had on tiller, right hand on wheel boat throttle) You usually feel the tug when standing up or reaching for something before pulling the cord and killing the motor. But, yeah it does happen on occasion.

-J.

Same for me. Easier to slip onto the wrist than clipping onto your life jacket or belt loop. Good topic!

Here is a topic I started on another website. Not scientific but almost but over 40% who voted said they never wear the tether. Must admit I still don’t. This year I will.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535570&page=3#/topics/535570?page=1&_k=7taca7

Here is a personal story of mine.

Buddy and I put his john boat with a 15hp motor in on a local lake one day. He was trying so hard to get the motor to start but he could not do it. Had his left hand on the tiller and his right hand pulling the cord. Everytime he pulled he would push the tiller hard to the port side. Well the motor finally kicked on, in gear, full throttle and he fell out the back. I was in the front of the boat and did a glancing blow off of the dock. Boat came around and thankfully my friend was able to grab onto the gunnel as I leaped towards the back of the boat and pulled the killswitch. We laughed about for weeks after. Wasn’t until recently where I really realized how lucky we got.

Jonesy wrote:

Here is a personal story of mine.

Buddy and I put his john boat with a 15hp motor in on a local lake one day. He was trying so hard to get the motor to start but he could not do it. Had his left hand on the tiller and his right hand pulling the cord. Everytime he pulled he would push the tiller hard to the port side. Well the motor finally kicked on, in gear, full throttle and he fell out the back. I was in the front of the boat and did a glancing blow off of the dock. Boat came around and thankfully my friend was able to grab onto the gunnel as I leaped towards the back of the boat and pulled the killswitch. We laughed about for weeks after. Wasn’t until recently where I really realized how lucky we got.

I have a friend with a similar story, started the motor in gear, 25hp in a small aluminum boat. He was alone and luckily fell to the floor of the boat. He said the G forces were enough that he went around a few times before he could make it back to the motor.

This year I plan to be safer. Cabelas guidewear inflatable vest arrived last week with the plan to actually wear a vest instead of it on a seat back.
Get them now while they are on sale, $70 off.

I also planned to start using the kill switch this year and have been watching this thread. I look forward to seeing people’s results.

I’m guessing there are many of us that don’t want to tell their story of a close call for one reason or other. A few others that can’t. RIP

As mentioned earlier, I was looking for something that was hassle free and would improve the chances that I could spend more time with the Favorite Granddaughter.

I’ve been boating over 10 years on the river at night. I’ve hit two logs that I didn’t see. One didn’t do any damage but scared the crap out of me and the other bent my stainless prop. Neither of them pushed me towards the edge of the boat.

I feel the percentages are not in my favor anymore PLUS I’ve been told that I’m not the strong swimmer I was back in high school. I don’t really want to pop my bubble to find out.

BlackTA, I’m guessing I wear mine about 15% of the time.

This summer it’s going to be 100% of the time to help my chances.

‘Course I could die from Hamm’s poisoning tomorrow. Life has no guarantees.

Thanks for posting this! That video was a eye opener. I fish by myself alot and never wear a pfd but I will be now. Just ordered one on sale from cabelas. I will also be using the kill switch from now on whenever running. Thank you.

Another note for those of you fishing by yourself, put your PFD on before launching the boat, I have heard of several people simply slipping on the dock and either being knocked out or at least hit their head hard enough to be disoriented and fall into the lake between the boat and dock.

When I am out on the St Croix (or any body of moving water) I attach the kill switch lanyard religiously, I need to make a better habit of doing it on the smaller lakes also.