Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

[redfishsc]

I have an 86 6hp Johnson but may soon be upgrading to a 9.9 or 15hp, something that will get my old 14' Starcraft SS up on step.


I take my 4 year old son fishing with me. I don't want to get tossed out of the boat by a speeding tri-toon and send my son on a nasty unguided missile ride.


Chances of me having an older motor that doesn't have the kill lanyard is quite high, but I really would like to have something like this--- such that if I got tossed out of the boat, the motor dies. He might take some water in the transom but would likely stay afloat.

Any suggestions?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

You can buy a "deadman" switch and lanyard at almost any marine store. Then on older magneto engines you simply run two wires up under the flywheel and across both points. Drill the engine cowl for a convenient location for the switch. Wire the switch normally open and when the clip is pulled out it shorts the points together, killing the engine.

Not very expensive, very easy to do and similar on many engines. Once you buy the engine go to that forum for specific info.

 

[oldman570]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

All you need to do is to buy a safty kill switch and hook the wires on it to the ones going the the factory kill switch that is on the motor. Ypu can drill a ho;e in the lower coweling to mount the switch where it is convent and will fit. Place the clip on the kill button and start the motor, then pull the new kill switch and kill the motor. Testing the switch every so often this way will let you know that it is working as intended. Most motors made after the mid 1980's will have a kill switch on them from the manufacture. If you upgrade a 15 hp would get the job done better and will handle more of a load than a 9.9 will. JMO
Oldman570

 

[Ctboaterguy]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

I just installed one on a 1958 18hp evi. $12 for switch , 3$ for wire. Also, it has a push button shut off. Totally worth it , i replaced a missing lanyard last yr. On a previous motor. Next day I was tossed out of boat (11'6 inflatable 8hp) over transom. No probs but could have been very bad.

 

[V153]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

Memo: The politically correct phrase is "ignition deactivation device" ...

 

[redfishsc]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

Thanks all!! Glad to know this is easy. I'll probably have a motor with CDI ignition rather than points but obviously it can be done on either.



Oldman, yes I'd prefer a 15hp and most of the time they weight the same as the 9.9's, but there are a couple lakes that require motors to be under 10hp around here that I'm keeping in mind. I may keep my worn out 6hp for them instead.

Memo: The politically correct phrase is "ignition deactivation device" ...

If this is the politically correct term, then I will forever call it a kill lanyard. In fact I just may start referring to it as "killin' wire".

 

[oldman570]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

I like your thoughts on being politacally correct redfishsc. I'll let those that have no common sense be politacally correct, as most of them seem to be in that feild of work nowdays. I'll just stay a common citizen with common sense that works his butt off, and has to give to those that don't. Keeping the 6hp and getting a 15 would be your best bet, as what you would get for the 6 on tradein or selling outright would offset any diffrance when it comes to having a backup motor that you can use if needed.
JMO
Oldman570

 

[redfishsc]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

I like your thoughts on being politacally correct redfishsc. I'll let those that have no common sense be politacally correct, as most of them seem to be in that feild of work nowdays. I'll just stay a common citizen with common sense that works his butt off, and has to give to those that don't. Keeping the 6hp and getting a 15 would be your best bet, as what you would get for the 6 on tradein or selling outright would offset any diffrance when it comes to having a backup motor that you can use if needed.
JMO
Oldman570

Either that or just sell the 6 and get a trolling motor, which I'd really want anyhow.

V153, by the way, I do appreciate you clarifying the term.

 

[gm280]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

I think you are looking out for the safety of not only you but your son, and that is a great thing. Make sure at least your son wears his life vest as well. Knowing how to swim is of little help if you're unconscience...

 

[redfishsc]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

I think you are looking out for the safety of not only you but your son, and that is a great thing. Make sure at least your son wears his life vest as well. Knowing how to swim is of little help if you're unconscience...

Yes, he always wears a life vest, it's on him when I'm backing the truck in the water (and, windows are always DOWN). My truck is really old, so should something go wrong and it slide in the water on a steep launch, and if he's in the truck, the windows are down and he can easily get out. We do have a couple of steep launches, but now I put him in the back of the truck while I'm launching the boat. He's good, stays put, and has on his jacket.


Definitely looking out for safety. I always wear a life jacket when I'm out there just in case. I really need to teach him how to throw a throwable. I usually have two of them in the boat. Also need to teach him how to reach out a paddle when he's a touch older, or throw a rope.

Also need to teach him where the whistle is in my tackle box (top tray, easy access) in case I'm out cold and he needs to blow the whistle for help.

 

[V153]

Re: Making a safety kill lanyard on old motor?

If this is the politically correct term, then I will forever call it a kill lanyard. In fact I just may start referring to it as "killin' wire".

Heh heh heh