Kill Switch - What If?

[Shark]

I've thought about this many times in the past and the video that Spur hunter posted about the runaway boat prompted me to ask this question here on the forum.

If there was a kill switch invented that can be installed under your boats driver seat (and/or passenger seat if your boat has a dual console) - Would you make the investment and have it installed. This switch would be a plunger /w spring and no cords required to attach to your floatation device.
This switch could even be an additional safety device for those that have foot throttles that could possible get stuck - anything could happen.

FYI: The switch would be weight activated and pre set at a certain lb range so only legal age body weights would depress the switch allowing the motor to start. When the weight is taken off the seat, it activates and cuts the motors power. May also quicken the response if your passenger was thrown out from large swells/ boat wakes. Is the passenger side switch a bad idea?

And!!!!! An option to install an override switch to use for those that prefer to keep the engine running at the dock after launching your boat and/or kept running while backing your trailer to load the boat.

 

[grayson_garrett]

The only issue that i can think of would be if you hit a big wake and lifted off of your seat, would the engine cut off?

 

[Shark]

Wow, very good point! I didn't consider that.

It would cut the power unless there was some type of delay circuit built into the wiring and would only activate if the driver didn't drop back onto the seat within 2-3 seconds or less. After the delay ends, it would still kill the motor before the boat could do a full 360 and hit an unconscious person in the water.

Mainly - If a boater was in rough water and causing the driver to lift off the seat. With a delay circuit of 2-3 seconds installed, the driver will end the circuit every time he drops back into the seat. Thus over riding the timer and preventing the motor from cutting off. A bit harder to make, but should be possible.

 

[buzz]

Basically works on riding mowers. Good idea.!

 

[grayson_garrett]

I agree, you may have something Shark! Would cut out those of us who often forget to hook up the kill switch!

 

[Gator]

I definitely like the idea as I don't hardly ever hook mine up as I don't open it up often.

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">The one down side is the tournament start up. The up side of avisible cordis the tournament director can see the kill switch cordand there is no question about whether it is connected or not. If it were a seat mount there would be no visual cue as to whether the boat was equipped with a proper kill switch or not.</font>

 

[twilson]

Here's one thats radio controlled. Think its kinda gay would be nice when you pull the kill switch by mistake. Think these are around 200.00 http://www.autotether.com/at/new-products

 

[fischnrod]

Here's a kill switch for the passenger just in case the driver forgets he's over there.

 

[Shark]

Buzz,
Thanks for reminding me how forgetful I am... Daaaaaaa - I forgot riding mowers have the kill switch in the seats. So much for inventing something new! emoDoh

Carl,
You brought up a great point about TX boaters proving the seat installed kill switch is working. emoTeacher

I guess the switch needs an indicator light located next to the key or fancy start buttons on new boats. But it is wired into the system so that the light only glows when the seat switch is working. It won't glow if the key is inserted and switched on and no weight on the seat. The light would be connected to both ends of the switch contacts.

If your switch fails to work correctly, you still have the over ride switch and your original factory installed kill switch.

FYI - The switch can be installed and removed easily with just a couple tools- pliers, wire cutters and electrical tape. A more water proof installation would use heat shrinking tube and aquarium sealant.

Keep up the great pointers I keep forgetting about. Thanks

P.S. I like the passenger seat auto reminder! lol 9 mm or 45 acp?

 

[Hook1]

It would be something new in the boaters' world Shark. I like the sound of it I am one of those who sadly ignore the kill switch lanyard many times. It would be nice to not have to fool with it. My son was playing in the boat a while back and I didn't notice he had pulled on the lanyard. It didn't come off but the switch was just barely off the "run" position. I flooded my motor the next day trying to start the stupid thing. I looked at the switch and it just barely moved up. I would love for this to never happen again!

 

[digitalcb]

I often stand up when in shallow waters, docking, crowded harbours etc..

 

[groomer1a]

I like the idea of some kind of switch. I use the kill switch on my boat all the time but the kill switch on my lawn mower is not connected now. I got tired of it cutting off the motor when I tried to shift position or leaned the wrong way. I am afraid this would happen on boats. There are too many times people stand up or as talked about above, getting bounced in the seat. I feel that a lot of them would disconnect it. If I remember right in the past the same thing happened in automobiles when they tried to introduce using seat belts and used switches on them. The only other thing I could see a problem with would be the varied styles of seats that are in different types of boats. Some could be tricky to install in a reliable way.

 

[clutch442]

I had an '75 model 280Z when I was in high school and it had a switch like this in the bottom of the seats. There was a switch in the car and if activated you couldn't start it unless you were seated and buckled in.