April 1 2021, new law required Engine cutoff switches (ECOS)

[shinola]

Just saw this on my monthly blast from BoatUS. I read through the exemptions but didn't see antiques that do not have this feature. So a couple of brief questions. (1) Any info available outside of the email blast that covers this? and (2) What options exist to retrofit old motors, particularly a 1956 10hp Johnson?

 

[timguy]

Doesn't apply to our old stuff.

Effective April 1, 2021, the new law requires a vessel operator to use either a helm or outboard lanyard or wireless ECOS on certain vessels less than 26 feet when traveling on plane or above displacement speed. These vessels include (1) boats that have a functioning engine cutoff device installed at the helm or on an outboard engine or have wireless ECOS, or (2) boats manufactured beginning January 2020.

 

[kevinj]

I have a 1979 Evinrude 9.9 that originally only had a stop button with no emergency lanyard. I was using that engine on my 14' aluminum boat to teach a Scout merit badge in boating and decided I'd like to have a lanyard just in case the kids do something goofy and launch us out of the boat. I found an inexpensive stop switch + lanyard for about $25 on Amazon and slightly modified it to put the new switch in the OEM location. I've just seen too many videos of a boat circling around people floating in the water. If I never use the lanyard it's not big deal. If I DO need it, that $25 is well worth a person's life.

KJ