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I have been thinking about spending the money on upgrading to one of these wireless systems, not that I don’t have the best of intentions, but I will admit that when playing, especially towing people or surfing where I’ll start/stop, shift equipment, stand, sit and generally move around a lot, it is easy to forget/decide not to worry about it “just this one time”. Which could, in this case, tragically all to easily become my famous last words.
Has anyone installed one of these? With the little bit of freedoms it gives they seem like a very worthwhile investment!
Ya I'm not sure how you would enforce, maybe if you got random inspected and the officer sees you don't have it on but that would be at no wake anyway? Regardless it's a good idea, especially if solo boating. I put mine on the throttle as a reminder, swapped for a PWC lanyard so its more comfortable. Good rule of thumb is PFD on = lanyard on, easy when on the ocean but I rarely have a PFD on the lake.
@JBehrens .....good ideas. I clip my lanyard to my shorts or life vest that way if I fall out of or am thrown from the seat it "kills" the engine immediately. There have been a number of serious accidents involving run away boats over the years where I boat resulting from lack of lanyard/kill switch. The Police have used a camera with long range lens to photograph lack of lanyards and have won a number of cases. So much so, along with public education, that there is a very high compliance rate. I have seen lanyards modified to attach to shorts, life vests, arms even around legs using velcro and different clips - whatever makes the driver comfortable. Such a simple safety feature that is not really obtrusive and anyone having seen a run away boat will understand.
I have been thinking about spending the money on upgrading to one of these wireless systems, not that I don’t have the best of intentions, but I will admit that when playing, especially towing people or surfing where I’ll start/stop, shift equipment, stand, sit and generally move around a lot, it is easy to forget/decide not to worry about it “just this one time”. Which could, in this case, tragically all to easily become my famous last words.
Has anyone installed one of these? With the little bit of freedoms it gives they seem like a very worthwhile investment!
I was looking at this last summer and liked the idea. I didn't do that much reading on it, but was questioning on is full usage. I get that if I go over, but If I have stroke, or hit a wave and smack my head and just full down, etc. etc. I am still in the boat, and may not be in a position to push the button. At least with a lanyard and a velcro wrist strap if i come out of my chair it will kill the engine. Actually waved at the sherrif last year while I was standing up and kill the engine.
I was looking at this last summer and liked the idea. I didn't do that much reading on it, but was questioning on is full usage. I get that if I go over, but If I have stroke, or hit a wave and smack my head and just full down, etc. etc. I am still in the boat, and may not be in a position to push the button. At least with a lanyard and a velcro wrist strap if i come out of my chair it will kill the engine. Actually waved at the sherrif last year while I was standing up and kill the engine.
I was wondering that same thing. If you hit something or spin and everyone stays in the boat but is on the floor you’d still want the engine to stop. It doesn’t seem to have any possible solution for that.
FWIW, I had my Coast Guard safety inspection today. They were having it at my marina, and my boat was already on one of the wash racks (I came back in towards the end of the day, and I hooked up to shore power to recharge my trolling batteries - took about 5 hrs./ 5p-10p). So, before before my boat was put back in the rack; I had the safety inspection. All was well; I had everything plus.
The inspectors made a point of telling me that there would be a new emphasis on enforcing lanyard use. I have two on the console - one to use and one for anyone else to use if I go overboard with the lanyard attached. I wished the inspectors good luck with their enforcement; practically no one uses them (or life jackets) around here unless they are solo or off shore.
Before everyone starts describing how safe they are and how dangerous boating is, please take a step back. Boating is an extremely safe sport. How do you know - simple, boat insurance is very, very cheap. I pay a little over $300 for $32K hull and $500K liability for the US and up to 75 miles off shore. My insurance covers US Tow Boats (would cost about $175 alone); I am really only paying about $150 a year for insurance.
I plan to buy the FEL Marine MOB unit, because it is relatively inexpensive. Will it add some great amount of safety - no, but it will avoid any issues/fines for all those situations when a lanyard is just not reasonable.
Do not let safety mongering take all of the fun out of your activity. You want to be prudent in assuming risk - not overly risk averse. Nothing can protect you from everything.
