Visit our Popular Forums

off-the-grid · 21-03-2011, 13:03

Is this one of those spare parts that's really needed?

Especially now that the dink seems to start on the first or second pull every time. Worst case, I can row back if I have to.

The spare one that came with my motor, floated away last night, and I'm wondering if it's really worth replacing.

So, do these things really break or wear out all that often?
Also couldn't just any braided line that's the same diameter work?

Sailmonkey · 21-03-2011, 13:06

Does your outboard have the top of the flywheel exposed so you can use the pullcoard without winding a new one around the retracta doohicky?
but yes, any old line and a tree branch cut to 4" for a handle will work.

graybayer · 21-03-2011, 13:11

They only break when you need them the most!
Cut a new braided line the same size, put a piece of wood on the end and stick it inside your motor cowling.

goboatingnow · 21-03-2011, 13:21

I recently tried the emergency pull cord supplied with my Yamaha 40 four stroke, what a waste of time, a bull elephant couldnt start it using it.

Dave

Unicorn Dreams · 21-03-2011, 15:12

Probably 90% of the time, they will break at the handle or at the flywgeel. Just re-secure it, might be 6" shorter.

**sarafina** · 21-03-2011, 15:13

only if the one on it breaks....

seems like cheap insurance...

zeehag · 21-03-2011, 15:23

please stock a second one for spares--if you have a generator, pull cords are handy to keep--mine always break at wrong times-- and if you get access to parachute shock cord, they call it-- stuff is not bungee shock cord, is goood line--- is best--lol i find it when navy seal teams play in the bay--lengths are left on the dock they use to launch their boats....doesnt have to be the regulation pull cord, ye know-- have a stash of line that size around--is handy... gooodluck!!

**GordMay** · 21-03-2011, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by grunzster

... So, do these things really break or wear out all that often?
Also couldn't just any braided line that's the same diameter work?

Yes, to both queries.

serah · 21-03-2011, 16:52

Argh. Yes they do break. Ours decided to do so just after the engine died on our old 24' sailboat. And about 100' from our slip. First time I had to sail into the dock. We fixed it with thin braided nylon; worked like a charm, but for the life of us couldn't find any at the time of the incident.

zeehag · 21-03-2011, 16:56

chris--doesnt need to be braided-- parachute shock cord works well--i used it on my outboard and i have used it on my honda 2k genny with good results. any cord the proper length will work. i have even used cheapo clothesline. goood luck and fair winds.....

thinwater · 21-03-2011, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

I recently tried the emergency pull cord supplied with my Yamaha 40 four stroke, what a waste of time, a bull elephant couldnt start it using it.

Dave

You might be surprised. The trick is a little ether, to make sure it catches on the first revolution. A wise old sailor told me, I tried it, he was right.

Therapy · 21-03-2011, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinwater

You might be surprised. The trick is a little ether, to make sure it catches on the first revolution. A wise old sailor told me, I tried it, he was right.

You might also want to ease the piston just past TDC before the pull.

Oh yea. Make sure your wife is not looking over your shoulder when you give it the mighty pull!!!

s/v 'Faith' · 21-03-2011, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therapy

Y.... Make sure your wife is not looking over your shoulder when you give it the mighty pull!!!

Much wisdom in this one is there.

ozskipper · 21-03-2011, 18:37

No offence, but of all the things to worry about this should be the least of your troubles. All yachts should have a variety of spare rope lengths on board, as well as a variety of rope type. I would find it hard to think of a boat that I have owned that wouldnt have had some sort of line I could use to start the OB.