Wireless MOB Kill Switches

[Punchline Cap]

With the new regulation that took effect on 4/1/21 about the mandatory wearing of kill switch lanyards on boats under 26 feet, I was wondering if anyone has installed a wireless kill switch on their boat? I have seen the ones with the wearable bracelets. Are there any other styles? Has anyone had them installed by a boat yard? How much was the labor for the install? Any opinions?

 

[TommyGirl225]

I did a bit of research and am thinking of installing this system. I like that after 5 seconds from cutoff, it allows the passengers to turn the engine back on.

ACR OLAS GUARDIAN Wireless Engine Kill Switch & Man Overboard (MOB) Alarm System

Overton's

www.overtons.com

 

[bartoma]

I have the unit from Fell Marine... Essential kit for safety - works extremely well...

 

[ElyseM]

i've been using Autotether for about a decade or so. fairly simple. good luck, ron

 

[glacierbaze]

I had the Fell on an 1801 Parker. Simple to use, easy install. Never tested in real world scenario, but I was a little uncomfortable with how far I could walk down the street, before it shut off.

 

[bartoma]

I had the Fell on an 1801 Parker. Simple to use, easy install. Never tested in real world scenario, but I was a little uncomfortable with how far I could walk down the street, before it shut off.

Distance in free space (air) is far greater than distance once you (and the fob) go in the drink... Once it's submerged more than a couple inches, the base station will loose contact and the engine(s) will stop...

 

[glacierbaze]

That's the principle I was relying on. What should happen if I stick the fob down in a 5 gallon bucket of water, 20 feet from the receiver?

 

[bartoma]

That's the principle I was relying on. What should happen if I stick the fob down in a 5 gallon bucket of water, 20 feet from the receiver?

In free space, power decreases by a factor of distance squared... In a five gallon bucket, you have maybe six inches of water, which would definitely attenuate the signal, but the remaining ~20 feet is still free space... You fall in the water, your fob is likely well below the surface, and at the slant angle between you and the base station antenna, there's a lot of water and boat to make that fob disappear very quickly... I have attached mine to a dock hook, and as soon as I dunk it in the water over the side, the engines stop...