Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

Well, the title says it all. Maybe a hundred years ago it was cool,
but there is really too much traffic in most places now for folks to
have unattended helm, even for a few seconds. Why do they still do it?

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

On Jun 20, 10:31*am, wrote:
Well, the title says it all. Maybe a hundred years ago it was cool,
but there is really too much traffic in most places now for folks to
have unattended helm, even for a few seconds. Why do they still do it?

I like the ordinary shifter/throttle, it's just what I'm used to. I
don't like the hotfoot setup, just seems weird to have a gas peddle in
a boat! And I drove a friend's pontoon boat one time and the throttle
was on the left side of the helm!! I didn't care for that, either!

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

wrote in message
...
Well, the title says it all. Maybe a hundred years ago it was cool,
but there is really too much traffic in most places now for folks to
have unattended helm, even for a few seconds. Why do they still do it?

Because it is still cool.

On a train, let go of the throttle and the engine dies. In the case of a
boat, It's a lanyard attached to your wrist and the other end trips a kill
switch if the lanyard is pulled. Unfortunately, on a boat, it is not a
passive device. It won't work if the operator chooses not to attach the
wrist strap.

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

On Jun 20, 11:25*am, Gene Kearns
wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:31:54 -0700 (PDT),
penned the following well considered
thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

Well, the title says it all. Maybe a hundred years ago it was cool,
but there is really too much traffic in most places now for folks to
have unattended helm, even for a few seconds. Why do they still do it?

Because trains don't jounce up and down like boats. On anything other
that a calm lake, the overworked accelerator pump would double the
amount of gas used per mile.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I never thought about it, but whenever I've had the chance to use a
hotfoot setup, it was indeed just like that.

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:39:22 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Jun 20, 10:31*am, wrote:
Well, the title says it all. Maybe a hundred years ago it was cool,
but there is really too much traffic in most places now for folks to
have unattended helm, even for a few seconds. Why do they still do it?

I like the ordinary shifter/throttle, it's just what I'm used to. I
don't like the hotfoot setup, just seems weird to have a gas peddle in
a boat! And I drove a friend's pontoon boat one time and the throttle
was on the left side of the helm!! I didn't care for that, either!

We have a jet drive, on of the first ones ever sold in the US, with a
foot throttle that has no spring and stays where you put it, unlike
the case with autos. Operated with left foot, toe for on, heel for
off, hinged in the middle, not at the end.

Casady

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

On Jun 25, 12:56*am, wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:38:04 -0700 (PDT), wrote:
Because trains don't jounce up and down like boats. On anything other
that a calm lake, the overworked accelerator pump would double the
amount of gas used per mile.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats** * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I never thought about it, but whenever I've had the chance to use a
hotfoot setup, it was indeed just like that.

All the guys I know with the hot foot throttle (bass boats) will never
have a bounce problem because it is either idling or smashed hard on
the deck.

I was not suggesting a foot pedal, what I am suggesting is a return
spring so if you turn or walk away, fall, etc, the boat stops.... I
know you open ocean guys might have issues with it, but the normal
lake or river boater might be better to get used to looking forward
and actually driving the boat.

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

wrote in message
...
On Jun 25, 12:56 am, wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:38:04 -0700 (PDT), wrote:
Because trains don't jounce up and down like boats. On anything other
that a calm lake, the overworked accelerator pump would double the
amount of gas used per mile.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats

I never thought about it, but whenever I've had the chance to use a
hotfoot setup, it was indeed just like that.

All the guys I know with the hot foot throttle (bass boats) will never
have a bounce problem because it is either idling or smashed hard on
the deck.

I was not suggesting a foot pedal, what I am suggesting is a return
spring so if you turn or walk away, fall, etc, the boat stops.... I
know you open ocean guys might have issues with it, but the normal
lake or river boater might be better to get used to looking forward
and actually driving the boat.

The kill lanyard serves that purpose but if you absolutely want the throttle
to return to idle, loosen the friction adjustment on the throttle and, if
necessary install a heavier throttle return spring. The boat will continue
to move at idle speed. Either option could result in unintended
consequences.

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

wrote in message
...
On Jun 25, 12:56 am, wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:38:04 -0700 (PDT), wrote:
Because trains don't jounce up and down like boats. On anything other
that a calm lake, the overworked accelerator pump would double the
amount of gas used per mile.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats

I never thought about it, but whenever I've had the chance to use a
hotfoot setup, it was indeed just like that.

All the guys I know with the hot foot throttle (bass boats) will never
have a bounce problem because it is either idling or smashed hard on
the deck.

I was not suggesting a foot pedal, what I am suggesting is a return
spring so if you turn or walk away, fall, etc, the boat stops.... I
know you open ocean guys might have issues with it, but the normal
lake or river boater might be better to get used to looking forward
and actually driving the boat.

The kill lanyard serves that purpose but if you absolutely want the throttle
to return to idle, loosen the friction adjustment on the throttle and, if
necessary install a heavier throttle return spring. The boat will continue
to move at idle speed. Either option could result in unintended
consequences.

Why do boats have "dead mans throttle"?
 

wrote in message
...
On Jun 25, 12:56 am, wrote:
On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:38:04 -0700 (PDT), wrote:
Because trains don't jounce up and down like boats. On anything other
that a calm lake, the overworked accelerator pump would double the
amount of gas used per mile.

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats

I never thought about it, but whenever I've had the chance to use a
hotfoot setup, it was indeed just like that.

All the guys I know with the hot foot throttle (bass boats) will never
have a bounce problem because it is either idling or smashed hard on
the deck.

I was not suggesting a foot pedal, what I am suggesting is a return
spring so if you turn or walk away, fall, etc, the boat stops.... I
know you open ocean guys might have issues with it, but the normal
lake or river boater might be better to get used to looking forward
and actually driving the boat.

The kill lanyard serves that purpose but if you absolutely want the throttle
to return to idle, loosen the friction adjustment on the throttle and, if
necessary install a heavier throttle return spring. The boat will continue
to move at idle speed. Either option could result in unintended
consequences.