Foul Prop

[Salty]

I was leaving my mooring when my mooring line got caught in the prop. The engine shut off with while in forward gear and is stuck in that position. I had no choice but to go into the drink (cold drink 50 - 60 deg) to try to remove the line, but it was wrapped pretty tight on the shaft. I didn't have a wet suit, so I cut the lines from the mooring ball to relieve any stress on the shaft. My plan is to go back with the proper gear to remove the line from the shaft. My question is, after I free up the shaft / Prop, how do I get the gear back to neutral so I can start the engine? Did I damage the transmission? Can / should I start it in the engine in forward gear?

 

[Cpt. Jon]

I can't help, but I sincerely hope that someone can give you some good news on here! Good luck!

 

[Mike Holibar]

It sounds a bit unusual that it has jammed in gear. Before starting the engine I would try turning her over by hand to make sure she turns freely. If she does then you could start her if you need to. To free up the gears I would try tapping the end of the selector shaft and maybe the gearbox output flange. It may be that a cone clutch is stuck and a tap might free it up. All the best,

 

[Ross]

Rotating the prop in the reverse direction after you get the rope off will probably free the transmission. Don't try to start it before everything turns freely.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Don't know what will work on yor engine and transmission

but here's what happened to me in 1998, a few months after we go the boat. Tying up to a mooring got the line, 1/2" wrapped around the prop. Line came back into the cockpit. Remembered reading about trying it in reverse. Tried that didn't work. No wet suit, no goggles, nothing sharp. Went over anyway. Tried cutting, no could do. Turns out the line was wrapped so I thought: Aha, unwrap the line. That worked, I just twisted ti off, but was sure that the reverse trick worked, too.

In my case, the transmission slipped into neutral when the engine died, I restarted it in neutral, switched to reverse, then before the engine could die again shifted back into neutral.

The reason the engine stopped is because the line is wrapped so tight.

It seems odd from every story I've heard that you can't move the transmission.

We have an M25 Universal with a Hurth transmission.

 

[Salty]

Re: Don't know what will work on yor engine and transmission

Stu, My first plan was to put it in reverse and start it to help unwrap the line, and that’s when I noticed it was stuck in forward. My engine is a Yanmar 2GM20F, I was a bit surprised that it locked up like that, hopefully it will unlock after I release the line and turn it in reverse.
Thank you all for your great suggestions and Happy Memorial day to all. I will try it out and let you know how it went.

 

[sailaway78]

Had this happen

Had this happen on my S2, same engine and tranny, with a crap trap line. Locked it up tight. Soon as the line was off and the prop freed up, everything was fine, and no ill effects. I think that what happens is there is so much strain on it, just locks things up. Kinda like a car being a little hard to get out of park when parked on a steep slope. Good luck.

 

[Benny]

Don't get ahead of yourself, first cut the line wrapped around the shaft, careful as that shaft is probably under tension pulling against the engine mounts. Once free inspect motor mounts, packing gland and shaft tube, check for leaks. Now shift the transmission to neutral and check for freewheel at the shaft. Relieving the tension should clear the transmission lock. We have the same engine and have at least picked up lines on three occasions with no ill effects. You can start the engine in forward but I would first make sure that the shaft is free.

 

[Salty]

All,
I am happy to report that the boat is fine. Once we cut off the line from the prop, the gear easily shift back to neutral, and the engine started fine. There was no damage to the shaft. Thanks for all your help.

Salty