Kill switch

[Micahhaase]

Got a question for you guys...I have noticed on my pontoon that there is no kill switch.. I know pontoons are not made to go fast and are for cruising but I really would have thought this would have a kill switch on it. Do you guys have a kill switch on yours and if not would you recommend putting one on?? Ive never installed one so i dont know how hard it would be. All thoughts would be appreciated

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Kill switch

I have one on my 2007 Starcraft.

 

[sfy]

Re: Kill switch

2003 Party Barge, it has one as well

 

[badbird]

Re: Kill switch

my 1999 Bennington has a kill switch

 

[Kitchen363]

Re: Kill switch

My Bentley has one, but I just clip it back to itself. In my case it dose nothing. I'm not going to clip in onto my wirst while I'm underway.

The kill switch must be some goverment mandate

I wouldn't even worry about it. If you add it, that's just one more thing that could give you problems down the road.

 

[VaGent]

Re: Kill switch

The kill switch is a SAFETY item that IMO should be taken seriously even though many don't. The "it's never gonna happen to me" attitude has caused a lot of people to loose their lives & the lives of others. I have them on both of of my boats & attach them to my life vest whenever the boat is running.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Kill switch

I have one on my 1985 OMC controller and had one on the previous 1979 OMC controller. I fish alone a lot and have two lanyards hooked together that I put on my vest or a belt loop when I'm out alone. The two lanyards let me move around the deck a lot more than one would.

I've never done it underway, but I have fallen overboard. I leaned against a gate to get a bucket of water for in the bait tank and when I pulled the 5 gallon bucket back up over the gate it gave way. It's dumb but easy to do, so don't think it can't happen to you. This was in the Spring and the water was right about 50 degrees F. That is mind numbing cold and you need to get out immediately, if you did it underway and the boat kept going you would be in a very bad situation if you weren't just a few yards from shore. Lucky for me we were on the bank and my buddy pulled me out. He busted a gut laughing but I was OK after a change of clothes.

I have a friend who tells a story of a fishing buddy who died in Lake Erie in 80 degree water from hypothermia when he fell over by himself and the boat kept trolling. He drifted for 20 some hours and they found him dead in his PFD.

Kill switch, get one and use it.

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Kill switch

My 1993 Lowe has one... If it's just me on the boat, I always clip in. Even if it's me and one other, I clip in. If there are several adults on the boat, it's less of a concern to me, but I definitely see the value in it.

 

[Engreps]

Re: Kill switch

A kill switch should always be used. I have installed kills switches on two Merc outboards. I used a test light to fond the correct wire and just cut it and added the circut for the kill switch. I used on one a conector similar to a trailer wiring plug that only had two wires hoked a piece of cord with a swival catch on it and was good to go. You can also buy the correct kill switch from a boat supply place.

Had a friend to fall of of his toon and watched it go into a sea wall. He wasn't hurt. His boat has a kill switch that wasn't being used..

 

[Pontoon_Hokie]

Re: Kill switch

I am new to boating and my '89 Lowe pontoon does not have a kill switch on the helm, but is on the tiller handle. Kill switch wiring has been run to the console and the kill switch is on its way by FedEx this week. Not sure why you would not want to use a simple safety device that does not really make you uncomfortable or get in your way. Seems like a no brainer, but my two 20 something boys still think seats belts are not necessary even though I was saved by one when they were young and am here today to talk about it.

Not sure why you would not want to be safe, if not for yourself for your friends and family on the boat.