Kill cords

I agree that killcords are sometimes a pain but an absolutle must whenener moving the boat under power.

I'd quite like to see someone develop a variable length cord.  This could take one of two forms...

1. A cord with an additional attachment point halfway along it's length.  Normally, for driving, you have both points attached to you, but if you need to move forward and move a mark or similar you undo one giving you double the length.

2. Or an arrangement similar to an extendable dog lead, so if you need to move you can extend the cord, and it will automatically take the slack back up to the original length as you return to the console.

Anyone who has done a lee-shore rescue will know well that if single-working it is almost impossible to be able to move around the RIB, especially if it's a bigger one, and prepare towlines etc without inadvertantly cutting the engine.

you could have a seat belt kind of thing where it will extend until it is pulled sharply and will stop extending

hmmmmmm....i would have thought wearing one round the leg is risky never mind the wrist! if the kill cord is slack in any way it can quite easily fall off the leg, i would say attatch it to a bouyuncy aid or something.

ouch

ok heres what i got told on my power boat instructors course

1 Kill cords should be around the arm unless of the telephone cord style to take up the slack(this stops it sliding off as you fall out)

2 SAFETY BOATS have 2 people (coaching boats can have 1)

3 The rya specified length for a kill cord is = 1 meter (3 feet)

what is a kill cord for? = KILL THE ENGINE when you fall over board - all these suggestions for longer cord or a extending cord DEFEAT the kill cords main purpose!!!!!!!!

there was an example given of a guy who used an extending dog lead for a kill cord, when he fell off the boat. He couldnt understand why the engine didnt stop!