Yamaha outboard kill switch question

[BigBazza]

Afternoon All,

I've just bought a little 15hp Yam outboard for our dinghy so the kids can have a bit more fun than they had with the 4hp!
Its a 1989 model (I think) and there is a killswitch button thing on it that just pushes in and clicks, not had any joy starting the engine yet, does this switch need a lanyard attaching or is the sole purpose of the lanyard on these older motors just to amke the switch flick out rather than make an electrical connection?
Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

PS - I AM getting a lanyard for it this weekend but could do with knowing its function first!

[Hard-Drive]

It will be a killcord and is designed to ensure that if the driver falls overboard (with the killcord attached) then the engine will cut out and the boat will not abandon them and continue at speed to plough into the nearest group of swimmers.

I think I've interpreted your post correctly, but please, please, please be up to speed on the correct use of a killcord via proper training before you let your kids out in the boat!!!! I've seen nasty accidents involving outboards...

[mateus]

if you've pushed in the button I would say it's broken, if a lanyard's not fitted and the button was stuck out that can't be good, listen to HD advice sods law if you fall out the boat will swing back round and run you down yikes!!

Edited by mateus on Thursday 21st August 21:04

[BigBazza]

Don't worry I had no intention of letting the kids out without me or the lanyard, i'm not that daft.

I'm just trying to start the engine on land first to make sure she's a goer and wondered if lack of lanyward was preventing it from starting whether the button was in or not. So basically the lanyard will just clip round the shaft of the button and when it comes off will cause the button to flick out? It isn't actually completing a circuit itself?

I am ofay with lanyards on different types of powerboats but not this one.

[Woofers]

On all our boats the kill cord clip keeps the button OUT while the engine is running. When the kill cord is removed the button springs in and the engine is cut.

[BigBazza]

Hmmmm, that may explain it, it does certainly seem to WANT to flick in rather than out if you know what Imean.

Might explain why it wouldn't start last night and I now have a right arm that looks like a post spinach Popeye - cue all the jokes about having an over developed right arm!

I'll try it with button out tonight and see.

Thanks

[Hard-Drive]

Bazza you are starting it in a wheelie bin full of water or similar aren't you?

[BigBazza]

Hard-Drive said:

Bazza you are starting it in a wheelie bin full of water or similar aren't you?

I'm not THAT stupid! I've been around boats all my life, just not little outboards!!

[BigBazza]

Woofers said:

On all our boats the kill cord clip keeps the button OUT while the engine is running. When the kill cord is removed the button springs in and the engine is cut.

Just been to my local Yam dealers and the lanyard does indeed keep the button out for run and it clicks in to stop.

Thanks all, now equipped with lanyard and 2 new spark plugs I will get her fired up tonight!