Well, after 9 years of sailing/motoring around eastern NC, My '84 h27 caught its 1st crab trap last night. Had decided to make a short run to downtown Wilmington for dinner, was only a few hundred feet short of the city docks when suddenly the engine jerked to a stop and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Styrofoam go flying in the air. Never saw the float, but got it good!. Prop was so tight could not even get out of gear, so no chance of trying to back out. Current was incoming and was drifting toward concrete dock so quickly unfurled the 110 genoa. Boat barely moved and realized I was dragging the trap, could feel line pressing on rudder. Just enough wind to clear concrete and called a friend at the marina nearby to help. He quickly came out and started a tow back to marina. He had 17 foot with a 70 hp, but could barely pull me, even with the 2 mph helping current. Finally got back and with mask and razor knife, cut the darn thing off and pulled trap line over to the dock. We then realized had hooked 5 more traps on the way and these were all nicely floating just off our docks. Some of the line had been pulled into the pilot bearing, but was able to clear. Engine started right up and prop turned freely, no vibration. I was lucky to have been on approach and had just reduced enging rpm to less than 2000. Took a quick shower and motored back downtown for dinner. Alls well that ends well.
