Safety Switch Usage [Archive]

Tom023

03-07-2005, 05:05 PM

OK, I was reading the thread about Rod's LQ9 where several posters mention the safety switch. It's also been mentioned in other posts as a source of potential problems. It got me thinking about my usage, which is only during maintenance when I don't want the engine to start when I crank it. So what is your usage?

MarkP

03-07-2005, 05:30 PM

I dont use it at all

DanC

03-07-2005, 05:37 PM

I don't use it. It inhibits my use of international hand signals to other boaters who might come near enough to require their usage :eek: .

Farmer Ted

03-07-2005, 05:43 PM

Safety Switches?

We don't need no stinkin safety switches....

http://www.ladyofthecake.com/mel/saddles/images/badges.jpg

milkmania

03-07-2005, 05:47 PM

I always use mine......just because of the UN predictability of an old boat...
besides, if my big *** fell in the water, I wouldn't want the wife and kids to leave me:purplaugh

ski_king

03-07-2005, 06:17 PM

The safety switch wasn't invented yet in 82.
If I had one, I probobly wouldn't use it. Would make my teenagers use it though.

bradamerry

03-07-2005, 06:30 PM

The 87' has one, but I don't use it. I do use the one on the duck boat. Cold water, running in the dark, logs in the river. I used the one on the Fish&Ski we had at high speeds(65mph+boat). I should use it, but getting up to help skiers, getting skis in boat, adjusting ropes and I don't wear a lifejacket while driving, so where would I hook it?? Farmer don't answer that question!! :purplaugh

Ric

03-07-2005, 06:33 PM

shamefully admitting that I make the kids and girlfriend wear (the lanyard) whilst driving but I never wear it
Bradamerry, you drive naked?

Ric

03-07-2005, 06:34 PM

Safety Switches?

We don't need no stinkin safety switches....

http://www.ladyofthecake.com/mel/saddles/images/badges.jpg
I'm thinking of the toll road scene right now haaaaaaaaaaaa!

bradamerry

03-07-2005, 06:36 PM

shamefully admitting that I make the kids and girlfriend wear it whilst driving but I never wear it
Bradamerry, you drive naked?
Yes I do?? I know better, but I do wear one during duck season in the duck boat. I do wear one if riding at night, like coming back in from the Fireworks on the 4th. But I make everybody wear one then.

ChrisG

03-07-2005, 06:55 PM

Safety switch??? :confused:

Farmer Ted

03-07-2005, 06:56 PM

I'm thinking of the toll road scene right now haaaaaaaaaaaa!

....run back to town and get a $hit load of dimes....

Farmer Ted

03-07-2005, 06:57 PM

Farmer don't answer that question!! :purplaugh

I was hoping that wasn't going to come up......

but it did save the Windsor from an overheat.....

bradamerry

03-07-2005, 07:00 PM

I was hoping that wasn't going to come up......

but it did save the Windsor from an overheat.....
True, very true :( !

boatwake

03-07-2005, 07:43 PM

Nice key chain and cord to hang my ipod from. I haven't disconnected it since I got the boat.

I suspect there is a regulation in at least one of MasterCraft's market areas that require the safety switch regardless if it makes sense or not.

SkySkiSpokane

03-07-2005, 08:14 PM

I usually take it off in the winter and forget to put it back on and get mad cause the damn thing won't start. that is an embarrasing brain fart! :uglyhamme

Tom023

03-07-2005, 08:29 PM

I usually take it off in the winter and forget to put it back on and get mad cause the damn thing won't start. that is an embarrasing brain fart! :uglyhamme

That sounds familiar, considering I pull it while fogging the engine, which is the last mechanical thing I do in the fall. I never can figure out why it doesn't start in the spring. The only other time I use it is sometimes when I keep it in a marina at night, I'll pull it with the keys hoping some thief may not think of it if they try to hotwire the boat.

sfitzgerald351

03-07-2005, 08:32 PM

Lance

03-07-2005, 08:47 PM

Don't have one in my 84....

A better question to ask is if people pull the pin for neutral when ever leaving the drivers seat... Nothing like getting up for some reason with the boat running (like to clear a rope snagged on a ski in the back of the boat) and bumping it into gear.
I am going to try to get into this habit now that I boat with my family and could see one of the kids going for the lever when I am up. In fact I have had it get caught on my swimsuit in the past. Also read on another thread where either a dock line caught it or someone it it entering or exiting the boat causing a lot of damage.

Laurel_Lake_Skier

03-07-2005, 08:50 PM

Ooops....answered with out reading all of the choices-glad I'm not getting graded on this test. It does come in handy for maintenance jobs when the ignition needs to be killed.

milkmania

03-07-2005, 09:43 PM

well, since I'm the only one that admits using the lanyard all the time.....

I guess I gotta admit I kill the engine any and every time I get up from the pilot's seat:o

I'd rather paddle from a dead engine than hurt one of my kids

Leroy

03-07-2005, 09:56 PM

Never used it, hope it doesn't fall off I would never miss and be posting on here about my dead boat, probably call it a piece of sheet or something like that...:rolleyes:

milkmania

03-07-2005, 09:59 PM

Never used it, hope it doesn't fall off I would never miss and be posting on here about my dead boat, probably call it a piece of sheet or something like that...:rolleyes:

hey now.....

that's a cheep shot......technically my kill switch was broken!!!
from the inside:uglyhamme

rodltg2

03-07-2005, 10:42 PM

never used it before, my old boats didnt have it. went to the top of the line at the dealer and got them to look at my boat tommorow.

skimax

03-07-2005, 10:44 PM

Oh you should just return it and buy a CC :D ,or better yet trade it in for a Stars & Stripes :D

Bongo

03-07-2005, 11:54 PM

I never use the kill switch. Especially, since I removed it from the current flow after finally determining it was my intermittent electrical problem. After getting new points, condenser, coil and following every single wire in the boat. I did leave the lanyard hanging there for the impression, but finally tossed it into the bucket o’ lost parts. At least I do have a full set of replacement, consumable parts should I really need them.

I always pull the pin when idling in neutral. Unless I shut the boat off completely, which I most commonly do. Especially if swapping skiers -- those who want to spend a few minutes talking about how good they’re going to be rather than just hopping in and showing me.

And yes, the blower motor is always running when I’m pulling skiers and between skiers. Turn it on and forget about it until any planned, long breaks in the action.

Bongo

rodltg2

03-08-2005, 12:06 AM

has anyone actually been tossed out of their boat where this lanyard switch saved you?

Bongo

03-08-2005, 12:08 AM

has anyone actually been tossed out of their boat where this lanyard switch saved you?

Or even heard of anyone being tossed out of their ski boat?

Bongo

MasterMason

03-08-2005, 12:11 AM

I have seen folks thrown out of the back when the driver takes a hard turn without warning anyone, but I kind of think that was done on purpose and the switch wouldn't have helped anyone.

sizzler

03-08-2005, 05:37 AM

used to have to have it connected when we used to ski.race on the sea..saw plenty of boats flip and have the driver and observer flip out....last thing you want is to see 2x200hp outboards still turning over as you are skiing passed them....
must admit i never use it on the lake with the MC..

Professor

03-08-2005, 07:04 AM

My use is based on boating conditions. Bass boat = most of the time. Ski boat = seldom. However maybe I should reconsider. A SCUBA friend of mine just had a TERRIBLE accident. It is a wonder he made it. He is up walking around. Great guy that owns a local marina. He races jet boats but you can check out their site at: http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78541&page=1&pp=15
Use of safety devices can save our lives!

Leroy

03-08-2005, 07:49 AM

I know of one guy that was tossed from bass boat when for some reason the nose went under and flipped at night. He did not have it on but for some reason the motor quit so the boat was nearby when he surfaced. Otherwise he would have been left in the middle of a lake at night. He did have a life jacket on that saved him.

has anyone actually been tossed out of their boat where this lanyard switch saved you?

Leroy

03-08-2005, 08:00 AM

rem_pss308

03-08-2005, 08:43 AM

I think the kill switch is a good idea, but it doesnt make sense on some boats.
When I drive my center console fishing boat, I always use it. Most of the time I am standing, and a quick turn, or a wave can throw you al over the place.
I havent used mine on the ski boat, I would never get out of the seat with the boat in gear. When pulling someone, if we pick them up, or they are getting ready to board, the motor is turned off. Mainly for the fumes coming off the burned fuel.
I live in florida so I dont have to winterize like the rest of you do. So I have no need to turn the engine with out starting. As of yet anyway.

milkmania

03-08-2005, 12:17 PM

Wasn't meant to be cheap shot Milk, the only time I would NOT call my boat cheap piece of sheet is if I run out of gas. And then we felt really stupid. It's simple for me, boats should not die on the lake, cars should not die on the road.

ah, I was just joshing ya......I tried deperessing my kill switch many times trying to confirm that wasn't my problem, but at least I found it and it was a "cheap" fix:uglyhamme

dang, I'm still the only one that uses their kill switch regularly.:rant:

jsut wondering if you guys use hearing protection when working with machinery, mowing the lawn, etc.....or am I the only that does that too:o

eye protection is another story....but I usually wear sunglasses when it's sunny outside, so I've got some sort of eye protection..............usually

bcampbe7

03-08-2005, 12:40 PM

I don't use the kill switch. However, I do wear hearing protection when mowing. :D
I wear my sunglasses religiously.

Ron Grover

03-08-2005, 03:22 PM

Never used it. I always figured at 49 my fat a$$ sitting in the drivers seat provides a pretty low center of gravity. Seldom does anyone else drive.

Ric

03-08-2005, 03:48 PM

Or even heard of anyone being tossed out of their ski boat?

Bongo
I've been tossed out of a couple of bars

tex

03-08-2005, 04:00 PM

i have come close once(getting tossed out of boat). i have tossed a friend out(i gave him fair warning). he lost his glasses and had to ride back to the dock in cold weather very wet. it was a long ride. do you idle to keep the wind off or drop the hammer to get there faster. he hated the decision.

jimmer2880

03-10-2005, 06:24 AM

...jsut wondering if you guys use hearing protection when working with machinery, mowing the lawn, etc.....or am I the only that does that too:o

eye protection is another story....but I usually wear sunglasses when it's sunny outside, so I've got some sort of eye protection..............usually
....

Never wear mine. Although, I probably should. Also, I only leave the boat running during very early & late seasons when noone is out on the river. Got stranded one year, not a good thing. But, now that my daughter is old enough to do bad things (she'll be 2 end of march), Guess I'll be shutting it down all the time.

What about ear ring protection? I didn't hear you completely... :rolleyes: I only wear hearing protection when grinding, beating on steel, or something very very loud. Never did growing up shooting, etc. Guess that may have something to do with why I can't hear now.

Eye protection - always! I've even started to be sure I'm wearing something while snow skiing. I've had 2 too many warnings on the eye protection thing (you'd think that 1 would have been enough!)

roddydog

03-29-2005, 08:20 PM

Don't have one in my 84....

A better question to ask is if people pull the pin for neutral when ever leaving the drivers seat... Nothing like getting up for some reason with the boat running (like to clear a rope snagged on a ski in the back of the boat) and bumping it into gear.
NICE!!! A much better idea than the switch. To be honest, if you pull the switch while you are driving, you either don't know how to drive, or "yer hammered and shouldn't be in a boat", or you get up and your kid thinks "hey what is this"!!! :steering: