Where is my boats kill switch?
The kill-switch is physically mounted to the front of the outboard motor casing (shown schematically here for clarity). One wire is taken from the ignition points to a terminal of the kill-switch.
Can you start a boat without a kill switch?
You need to have an engine cut-off switch — AND USE IT! Since the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Section 503) required manufacturers of covered recreational boats less than 26 feet in length, with an engine capable of 115 pounds of static thrust “to equip the vessel with an ECOS installed as of December 2019.
How does the safety kill switch work on a boat?
The kill switch is a simple ON/OFF switch that completes an electrical circuit to the motor when it’s on, allowing it to run. When the switch is off, it breaks the electrical circuit to the motor, preventing the engine from running. The kill switch is attached to the helmsman, either physically or electronically.
What happens when an engine kill switch is activated on a boat?
A boat engine kill switch, or cord, is a cut-off device that activates and ‘kills’ the engine if the helmsman becomes separated from control of the boat. It typically consists of a length of strong plastic cord with two different ends. A kill switch is an inexpensive yet important safety feature for any boat.
Does my boat have to have a kill switch?
Under a new federal law effective April 1, 2021, those piloting boats less than 26 feet in length are required to use their engine cut-off switches (ECOS) much of the time. However, this law applies when the primary helm is not in a cabin and when the boat is operating on plane or above displacement speed.
Are boat kill switches required?
Boats manufactured after January 1, 2020, are required to have an engine cut-off switch, but boat manufacturers have voluntarily installed ECOS on their boats for decades. The Coast Guard highly recommends using an engine cut-off device on all open-style boats.
How do you bypass a kill switch?
The “kill” switch can be bypassed by simply unplugging the Black/white stripe wire where it comes out of the CDI box (under the tank)…. Applying Battery positive to the Yellow/red stripe wire at its solenoid side will crank the engine over…IF the transmission is in neutral, and/or the clutch lever is pulled in….
Are boat kill switches mandatory?
It’s the law everywhere in the U.S. Engine cut-off switches are now mandatory on personal watercraft and most small boats.
Are kill switches required on boats?
Engine cut-off switches are now mandatory on personal watercraft and most small boats. The law applies to all personal watercraft and recreational boats under 26 feet with motors capable of 115 pounds of static thrust (a little under 3 horsepower).
How do I reset my boat kill switch?
All you need to do is place the Kill Switch cord in the correct place and then start the engine. After a few minutes, tug at the Kill Switch cord to remove it from its place. Your engine should stop working as soon as the Kill Switch is out of place. This means your Kill Switch is working perfectly.
What if your boat does not have a kill switch?
Heads Up for Boaters: Start Using Your Motor’s Kill Switch or You Could Get Fined By the Coast Guard. Practical times when “kill switches” are not required are when boats are trolling, loading on or off a trailer, or in no-wake zones. The vessel operator is also exempt if the boat’s motor produces less than 115 lbs.
Is kill switch needed?
There are times when a kill switch comes in handy in certain emergency situations. Such situations many include tipping the motorcycle over on to yourself while it’s still on; it’s useful to have a switch that will immediately shut the bike off to prevent further burns and injuries.
Where is the Kill Switch on a boat?
The kill switch is attached to the helmsman, either physically or electronically. If the helmsman is thrown from the boat’s controls, the connection between the helmsman and the kill switch is severed and the switch automatically turns the engine off, thereby immobilizing the propeller and the boat.
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What is the correct name for an engine kill switch?
Although they’re commonly known as kill switches or kill cords, the correct name is engine cut-off (or cut-out) switch. It’s a safety device that immediately shuts off the outboard or sterndrive if the helmsman becomes separated from the boat’s controls.
When do you need a Kill Switch in Texas?
Texas has a new law September 1st 2019 requiring any boat with a “kill switch” to use the thing. I encourage everyone to comply, and want to set an example to follow on my old boat that didn’t have one and so would fall under the requirement.