[grommett]

Having bought my boat last year, it came with a kill switch lanyard but I cant work out how to attach it. I think it may be incomplete or the wrong type. Does anyone know where I can download a manual for my Mercury control unit or has anyone got a photo of a lanyard and switch?

Having looked at other threads regarding lanyards, I am a little confused as to how I am able to run the engine with the switch in the ON position with the lanyard disconnected, surely the point is that it should not be possible.

Just been on a powerboat course and getting all safe!

[dwmax]

The lanyard is only a safe gaurd that you would attach to your arm in case you were to get ejected from the boat or fall from your seat the lanyard would come off with you and kill the motor but you do not have to have the lanyard on to run the boat all the lanyard does is kill the ignition so if the switch is turned on the boat will run and drive but it is not a must have good luck and hope this helps.

[brucedennis1]

The lanyard when pulled off makes the switch go down like a light switch. Next time you have the motor cranked flip the switch by hand and see if the motor dies. If it does the switch works if not someone has bypassed it... The lanyard should have a black clip. With the switch flipped down you should be able put the black clip in and flip the switch up. When the lanyard is pulled it flips the switch and kills the motor.

[WetWilly]

Hi grommett,

Nothing wrong about playing it safe and the powerboat course is a great place to start!

As for the kill switch, it's like brucedennis1 said, lanyard in, switch up, pull lanyard out, switch down and as you've found out, the motor will run as long as the switch is in the up/run/on position, with or without a lanyard.

Take a look at this thread (click here), at the bottom of the first page, I have pictures posted of the Lanyard, the switch and how it 's connected for a Commander 3000 series throttle control. Just click on the photos and they will enlarge. If you have a different Control, the kill switch should be similar.

Good luck,
WetWilly

[grommett]

Thanks Wet Willy, that answers my question perfectly.