Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hello all. New to the forum. First time boat owner. Recently purchased a boat without manual. Prior owner did not explain to me what this switch does (Run/Off switch). Any ideas? 2003 Harris Flotebote Royal Heritage 260. Thanks.

That should the kill switch that the lanyard fits in. The motor shouldn't run without it and if it's a Mercury it might have a recall.

Roger that. Looks like I won't be getting any use out of it. Thanks for the quick reply.

You usually get use out of that switch when you can't figure out what is wrong with your engine. In my case the kids pulled the kill switch. It took a little while to figure that one out.

Are you able to run the engine without the lanyard in place? If the engine runs, something is wrong with the switch.

nope its a different type than the ignition run switch. It actually has a loop on the lanyard that pulls the switch down when pulled

That sounds right. I run the boat without any type of lanyard attached to that switch. Seems to work well with no problems. I just leave the switch in the run position.

I do the same no lanyard... I didn't even know I had a kill switch until I did my rebuild. It was hiding on the back underside of my old controls.... I actually will be getting one just in case....

Crazy not to use it.

cwag911 wrote:Crazy not to use it.

yep that is why I am getting one. For 4 years I had no clue it was even there! It was on the bottom of the controller against the rail...

cwag911 wrote:Crazy not to use it.

yep that is why I am getting one. For 4 years I had no clue it was even there! It was on the bottom of the controller against the rail...

I've never hooked my kill switch lanyard to me when using the pontoon, but I ALWAYS use the one on my bass boat when underway.
Tip on a lanyard for the kill switch: You'll need to know what mfgr. of motor you have. That's the question they asked me at the shop when I went in for a replacement.

Clearwater262 wrote:Hello all. New to the forum. First time boat owner. Recently purchased a boat without manual. Prior owner did not explain to me what this switch does (Run/Off switch). Any ideas? 2003 Harris Flotebote Royal Heritage 260. Thanks.

Dude, just look at the posted picture.... can't you see the relationship between the 'run' switch, and the jogging shoes below?? While running, the switch is up.... when you take them off, the switch is down.

I had the same type of switch on an old Mako I had.
I was able to find a replacement lanyard at academy sporting goods.