I have always turned the engine off on I/O's when skiers get in and out of the water. Just got a Mastercraft - what do folks do for safety - yes it always better to turn off the engine but is it necessary for inboards.

I don't, the driver always tells the skiier it's in neutral before they climb out though.

I would always turn it off......I'd much rather buy a new starter than ever have an accident and someone get injured. I've also read on here that someone had a rider getting in on the swim platform and his board floated up underneath and it chewed up his board something fierce. So accidents can happen. That'm my 2 cents.

I always turn it off, getting in and out, better safe then sorry! Saves lines too. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by tclagggym on June 13, 2003)

Saves hours also

Engine off when anyone is getting in or out of the water. Sometimes people get frustrated with this, but I don't want to see anyone get hurt. Accidents happen when you least expect them, especially on the water. <BR> <BR>Plus, it's my boat, so it's my legal liability at stake. I'd prefer to keep my home and savings.

Engine off when anyone is on the swim step getting ready...Carbon Monoxide snorting is not healthy....

i used to leave it on, due to necessity (fuel pump problem + vapor lock) <BR> <BR>now that it is fixed i turn it off. also CO fumes are bad!

It depends,if were in a moving current it would be on.Or maybe in a busy area where we have to get out quik.Those are the only reasons I can think of to leave it running.Otherwise we turn it off.

On my old prostar 190 the prop would sometimes still turn even if it was in neutral. I asked my mechanic about it and he said it was a common thing. So I've always been in the habit of turning it off.

It's been mentioned but it's worth repeating: Carbon Monoxide. Turn it off. <BR> <BR>Someone posted a report on CO poisoning on US lakes and I noticed in there that measured levels of CO at the swimstep could be high enough for fatal exposure in 30 seconds. <BR> <BR>Even at below fatal levels, I wonder how often people just end up feeling ill because of CO exposure.

We have an outboard so we always turn it off. always.

Always turn it off. Better safe than sorry.

I thought you turn off the engine for prop safety but I saw a TV report on CO poisoning and Teak Surfing. They added something to the fuel to show the normally invisible gasses. It was sick. A giant cloud of smoke all around the swim step when in neutral. Even when moving the smoke curls up and forward around the back end of the boat. <BR>Motor off!!