It had to happen - Page 5

Stoo · 06 July 2009, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by incentive

.Never thought about the killcord,i have a Tohatsu and no killcord = no start,ill have to get a spare killcord ordered.

We had this conversation one day... Generally, the killchord is going to come into play in adverse weather. So we imagined a situation where I was tossed out, with the chord and of course the engine being shut down.

But these boats drift quite nicely in a blow as we know, so we imagined a case where I was in the water, possibly injured, with the boat drifting away at a good clip...

Solution... three new chords... each stored in the pocket of one of the floater jackets or suits that we wear. If the chord and I leave the boat, Mrs. Stoo will have a spare in the pocket of whatever suit she's wearing...

For about $6 each, they're cheap insurance...

As an aside, that's a brilliant idea with the Etecs. Is the speed limited on a restart I wonder?

Chris · 06 July 2009, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoo

As an aside, that's a brilliant idea with the Etecs. Is the speed limited on a restart I wonder?

No the speed is not limited. The engine will not start unless in neutral of course.

BrAinZ · 06 July 2009, 22:36

Hi Neil,

Blimey!!... Only just read this thread after being away from the forum for a few days!
Feel silly now at PM'ing you earlier talking about the big waves off The Needles!

I guess this happened just after we saw each other at Yarmouth?, scary stuff!
(You should have come for a trip on the Jetski, would have been much safer!

)

Really pleased that you are OK, it could have been much worse. As stated throughout this thread, I think your experience has really re-focused everyones attention on the need to be a little more safety conscious.

Really hope that you feel better soon and are out and about again soon.
Keep us updated on your recovery!

neilda · 06 July 2009, 23:22

Hi Steve - yes it happened not long after we saw you.... the arm and shoulder are slowly improving in that I can move it a bit more today than yesterday!

BrAinZ · 07 July 2009, 18:20

Do you think that there was anything you could have done, with the gift of hindsight, to have stopped yourself falling out?

Did you go over the side or nearer the back?

How come the other two managed to hang on? I always think that passengers are more likely to fall out that the driver, as in theory, you are already holding onto something so should be able to brace yourself.

Jizm · 07 July 2009, 18:37

Neilda, hope you are ok.
A scare teaches an awful lot in my experience.
A bloody good story, gripping thread now aswell....

neilda · 07 July 2009, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

Do you think that there was anything you could have done, with the gift of hindsight, to have stopped yourself falling out?

Did you go over the side or nearer the back?

How come the other two managed to hang on? I always think that passengers are more likely to fall out that the driver, as in theory, you are already holding onto something so should be able to brace yourself.

There was something inevitable about falling out, a short stumble step to the right and then out; a surreal and slow motion moment. Not unpleasant, mildly amusing and then hideous and shocking. I was standing behind the wheel (not seated), knees bent, one hand on the wheel and one on the throttle. I didn't try to hang on - I hadn't expected my manoeuvre to cause a violent kick. My two passengers were hanging on - one on the suicide seat (who didn't even realise I had gone overboard) and the one to my left had the width of the boat with which to grapple - I was right beside the starboard tube and came out immediately alongside the wheel.

If I had been seated, I doubt I would have fallen in. Had I braced, in the knowledge that turning whilst airborne would cause the boat to 'grab' violently to port, I would have probably stayed on. Imagine someone giving you a hearty shove on the shoulder as you're mid-step and not expecting it, a bit like that.

Crazy thing is, in a car or on a motorcycle, I wouldn't dream of turning the wheel whilst airborne - I hadn't expected a boat to be quite so grippy!

I can now eat with a knife and fork! Yay!

BrAinZ · 07 July 2009, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

My two passengers were hanging on - one on the suicide seat (who didn't even realise I had gone overboard)

Lucky the other chap was there... How scary would that be for the guy in the front to be totally enjoying his thrilling ride.. heading towards the beach/ car ferry/ harbour at top speed... Only to look round to grin at your madness.... to see an empty boat behind him!!

If I were you.. I don't think I'd EVER take my kill cord off again!

You can compare injuries with my friend Alan who managed to rip his bicep off last year, next time we see you out.

Great that you can eat with a knife and fork now. Keep up the recovery!

Chris · 07 July 2009, 21:09

Running fast with someone in the suicide seat is a pretty bad idea as well. He's lucky he did not end up floating beside you

neilda · 07 July 2009, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

If I were you.. I don't think I'd EVER take my kill cord off again!

I think you're right!

It would have been a disaster if my other mate hadn't have been there, the guy at the front, would, as you say, have had no idea. He didn't realise until tapped on the shoulder that I'd gone.

Is it a bad idea to run fast with someone on the suicide seat? (Genuine question). I thought that's what they were put there for.

codprawn · 07 July 2009, 22:54

The further forward the more bouncing you will get. Having said that the suicide seat is often no further forward than most passenger ribs.

If you don't have grab handles they can be placed below the seat on both sides.

neilda · 07 July 2009, 22:58

The seat on mine is immediately in front of the console (as most are I guess) and therefore not right at the front. It has hefty chrome rails either side of the seat.....

Having said all that, I have a new and healthy respect for what could go wrong. Whilst I won't be timid on the water, I am going to be considerably more aware and certainly more cautious.

neilda · 10 July 2009, 08:20

Just as a final postscript to this little tale, my mate took this one on his mobile....

Pablo · 10 July 2009, 16:00

Ouch that doesn't look right.

This thread hasn't made me think about killcords because I always wear one. However, I didn't realise that the impact would stun you so much. I've currently got a manual life jacket but i'm now going to look into getting an auto inflate one. Thanks for sharing your experience/cockup. It might save my life one day.

neilda · 10 July 2009, 16:22

My four auto inflates arrived this morning!

BrAinZ · 10 July 2009, 16:38

Nice photo Neil. Are all your bones back in the right place now?

neilda · 10 July 2009, 16:58

Yes they're all back in the right place - although from that photo it looks like my collar bone is busted, but I guess they would have told me if it was!

I'm on the water, albeit rather gingerly, on Monday. Eeek!

JSP · 10 July 2009, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

Yes they're all back in the right place - although from that photo it looks like my collar bone is busted, but I guess they would have told me if it was!

I'm on the water, albeit rather gingerly, on Monday. Eeek!

You could have smiled on it!

Have a good day on Monday

BrAinZ · 12 July 2009, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

You could have smiled on it!

Yes, and next time you are going to fall off Neil, can you set a video camera up to capture the event, so we can all analyse exactly what happened later

Depending on the weather on Monday, the wife and I may be out on .. er.. my other water based method of transport (I know it's a swear word around here!

)... so I'll keep a look out for you (hopefully IN the rib, rather than floating around in the water!).

neilda · 12 July 2009, 11:05

I'm going out with a diver on Monday and could use some company and, some strong arms (as I can't really use my shoulder too much). So if you're about let me know.