Coast Guard rule for an engine kill switch question

[opie]

The Coast Guard requires any boat less than 26 feet to have the operator actively using a lanyard ignition kill switch if operated over no-wake speed.

I am asking for any comments here if that kill switch requirement is being observed by members here even though the Mac 26 is generally characterized as 26ft, therefore exempt.

Questions from me, your pendantic forum member:

1. Anyone use it anyway?

2. Mac26X and Mac26M brochures, and Wikipedia, say our boats are officially 25' 10". Could a CG overzealous Lieutenant fine me if he researches the web?

3. What type of lanyard do you use, if you do? And how long?

4. If you say, duh, any CG official will easily see that our "26" Macs are 26'. Then you may not say, duh, if I tell you that my vessel registration for NC clearly says my boat is 25' 10", and the registration is the first thing the CG asks for when boarding me, and that happens about once per season. Why, you ask, would I voluntarily register my Mac as that length? Because I save $20 per year in fees. (see pic).

thanks,
Opie, the Mac curmudgeon..

[Piddle and Futz]

Great topic, Opie.

I'm a new owner and my came without such a lanyard, but I bought a "universal" one with several different clips on it for about $7 and intend to use it when under power.

I can see there might be some issues if one is single handling and has to go forward to raise/douse the main while powering into the wind. Technically, that would be at "no wake" speed so probably not a violation.

[OverEasy]

Hi All

Our local USCG has said in conversation that “Rules are Rules” and they have to abide by them in as much as anyone else…..
Basically saying they have not a whole lot of leeway but are more apt to give a warning to a first time violation.

A boat with sails up isa sailboat and one powering along with a motor is a motor boat.

So what we do when primarily using our Mac26X as a motor cruiser is to have the safety kill lanyard on a long leash that allows us to move about without fouling the lanyard.

Been looking through my old working life junk for my old ID badge retractable lanyard to incorporate it to the safety kill lanyard to provide a little more flexibility length without it tangling.

They have these retractable badge thingys at office supply places like Staples.

As with most Rules there is blood spilt, injury, excessive damage or worse somewhere along the prior history.
The safety kill switch lanyard requirement is one of these in particular.
Boats without operators have a peculiarly nasty habit of circling back around to where the operator left the boat but with the prop churning the waters now occupied by the former operator….. leave it to your imagination

YouTubehas many of the “sanitized” incidents of runaway operatorless boats…. Just think about those vessels plowing through a crowded swim area or sand bar…..

While it is a small inconvenience to contend with a Safety Kill lanyard I don’t think I’d be able to sleep again if I were responsible for the harm done for not using one….

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[rsvpasap]

The law does not require you to install a cutoff switch on your Macgregor if you do not already have one. On the other hand, if you already have one, the law does require you to use it when traveling at more than "hull speed"/displacement speed.

Per the US Coast Guard https://uscgboating.org/recreational-bo ... ch-faq.php

"Q9. My boat doesn’t have an Engine Cut-Off Switch, do I need to install one?

A9. No, unless the boat was built on or after 1 JAN 2020. The installation requirement applies to manufacturers, distributors and dealers of “covered recreational vessels” after 1 JAN 2020. For those boats, an Engine Cut-Off Switch must be installed and the owner is required to maintain it."

"Q23. I bought my (less than 26 foot) boat many years ago and it did not have an engine cut-off device installed by the manufacturer, so last year I added a new wireless engine cut-off devices. Am I required to use it?

A23. Yes. If an engine cut-off switch is present, it must be used."

If you would like to read the law, the citation is
46 USC 4312.

My boat, a 2002 26x, has a cut off switch with a lanyard and I use it on those rare occasions when I am motoring at more than displacement speed. Personally, I think it's an excellent idea. On the other hand, you're not legally required to add a cut off switch to your Macgregor, unlike the wide-spread incomplete reporting on this topic would lead you to believe. Seriously, never ever trust the general press in the US to accurately report on legal topics. Seriously. If it's important to you, read the law or ask the Coast Guard.

[Jimmyt]

I use mine. I would rather not deal with the conversation of whether I'm exempt or not. Plus, as OverEasy says, I don't want to have an accident on my conscience that could have been prevented by following the rules.

My boat came with one.

[Starscream]

Is there a legal definition for the boat length?

Starscream: "You can't give me a fine, from the bow light to the prop it's more than 26 ft."
Coastguard: "Well here's a fine for the broken navigation light"
Starscream: "It's not broken"
**smashing sound
Coastguard: "Yes it is."

[OverEasy]

[rsvpasap]

" 'Length' means the straight line horizontal measurement of the overall length from the foremost part of the boat to the aftermost part of the boat, measured from end to end over the deck excluding sheer, and measured parallel to the centerline. Bow sprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets, handles, and other similar fittings, attachments, and extensions are not included in the measurement." 33 CFR § 183.3

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/c ... tion-183.3

[NiceAft]

I have a cut off switch on my 2005 M. I bought the boat new, and it came with it. It is located on the underside of the throttle mount. There is no way that can be seen from an advantage off of the boat; not even with binoculars.

I always wear an self inflating PDF. Nobody goes with me who won’t wear one. I believe this is far more important than being hooked to the cut off switch.

I do occasionally clip onto the switch, once too often my knee has knocked into it, and the motor shut off.

True story:

Once I had taken three fellas out for a sail. I didn’t get far, and the motor quit. I checked everything but the cut off switch. I ended up sailing back to the dock, and without power, I actually pulled up to the dock and tied off. The guys who were with me were impressed. So was I..

I later saw what the problem was.

[rsvpasap]

The Coast Guard Q&A has an entry that seems to be specifically written just for us ....

"Q21. My 26-foot sailboat has a 50 horsepower engine that allows me to travel on plane / above displacement speed. Do I need to use an Engine Cut-Off Switch?

A21. No. Regardless of when it was built, a boat 26-feet in length and greater does not require use of an engine cut-off switch, even if equipped.".

https://uscgboating.org/recreational-bo ... ch-faq.php

[Be Free]

The Coast Guard Q&A has an entry that seems to be specifically written just for us ....

"Q21. My 26-foot sailboat has a 50 horsepower engine that allows me to travel on plane / above displacement speed. Do I need to use an Engine Cut-Off Switch?

A21. No. Regardless of when it was built, a boat 26-feet in length and greater does not require use of an engine cut-off switch, even if equipped.".

https://uscgboating.org/recreational-bo ... ch-faq.php

I read that one back when this regulation first went into effect. I sure looks like it was written with the Macs in mind. Are there any other 26' sailboats that can get can plane under power? But then I KNOW my boat is actually 25' 10"...

[Jimmyt]

I read that one back when this regulation first went into effect. I sure looks like it was written with the Macs in mind. Are there any other 26' sailboats that can get can plane under power? But then I KNOW my boat is actually 25' 10"...

Hunter Edge, but it's a tad longer.

[Starscream]

I read that one back when this regulation first went into effect. I sure looks like it was written with the Macs in mind. Are there any other 26' sailboats that can get can plane under power? But then I KNOW my boat is actually 25' 10"...

Yeah, it's a grey area. It's called a Macgregor 26, there's a 26 in the serial number, all literature calls it a 26 footer, but it's actually 2" short. So, are we talking Nominal Length or Actual length in the regs? Probably actual length, but you'd have to have a pretty angry coastguard officer on your hands to have them whip out the measuring tape after seeing the documentation.

There are a lot of marinas and locks that owe me a 2" rebate if we want to go down that route.

[NiceAft]

There are a lot of marinas and locks that owe me a 2" rebate if we want to go down that route.
Top

Many marinas charge for the length of the boat and the outboard if applicable.

[Be Free]

I read that one back when this regulation first went into effect. I sure looks like it was written with the Macs in mind. Are there any other 26' sailboats that can get can plane under power? But then I KNOW my boat is actually 25' 10"...

Hunter Edge, but it's a tad longer.

How could I forget the Edge. When it was being built I lived about 15 miles from the factory.