Line Around Prop

[rocksculpter]

I'ts happened to me too many times, usually when I had to put it into reverse unexpectantly and ate the dinghy painter. Crab traps occasionally. Sometimes, if the line is pretty slack, it will lap over itself then pull tight. When that happens there is no way to unravel it. Essential things to have aboard is a mask and snorkle, boat pole, duct tape and a cheap fillet knife. I tie the inflatable to the stern and hang over the edge and saw away.

The water is cold around here, a wet suit hood would be nice.

Barry

 

[Benny17441]

Yeah I would say water temperature, daylight and sea conditions are the deciding factor wether to dive or call a diver. We were once asked by a TowboatUS operator off of Ft Myers, FLfor the reason we were requesting a tow and we indicated we had snagged the line of a crab trap in the middle of the night and that because of wind direction we could not make port. He responded by indicating they had a diver on staff and could get him out to us. He was a retired Navy hardhat diver and untangled the line from our prop in no time. He took our towboat insurance card and wished us well. Perhaps no harm in inquiring with your local tow insurer provider if they have diver service. No, this is not another Florida scam but good services rendered for a loyal customer. We gave the operator a tip but that is customary in the area.

 

[Jared1048]

Fouled my prop over the weekend with the stern line. Jumped in with a mask\fins and un wrapped the line in about 8 attempts coming back up for air. Not really that big of a deal. I've un-fouled dozens of props and its only been 1 time I needed to actually cut the line away. Took maybe 15 minutes and most of that time was getting the fins and mask!

 

[gypsyspirit]

On Lake Superior the water is also very cold. I saw a cleaver solution. The captain collected his crew and one from another boat on his bow. This raised the stern enough that he could lean out over the side of the dingy and free the line.

 

[Ken13559]

Well he has this blonde looker wife, so i guess he doesn't want to gives others idea of bumping him off whilst underwater.

 

[SeaMoore]

I like the idea of a dedicated knife to use just for freeing the shaft from a wrap.[/quote]

I love my hookknife; it will go through several lines with ease. I was tangled once in the open Pacific in weather off Mexico. The bouncing boat was dangerous to be under; even those 4 foot waves suck you under then spit you back out! I found my Sea Anchor stopped the boat dead in the water and made the dive much more comfortable.

 

[stubugg]

take a deep breath

I turned off engine and went overboard. Was able to free fairly easily on one breath.

On my last week of my annual Maine cruise I tangled with three lobster pots and one mooring on a lobster pot float. The problem is the O'Day 34's gap between the keel and the rudder is an unforgiving trap for lines even at anchor. I solved the problems by jumping over and cutting lines but I tied a fender as a buoy to the business line first and then refastened the buoy to the lobster cage or mooring before proceeding on course. Believe me, it was a brisk experience.

I am considering adding a length of strap material on the bottom of the keel of either aluminum or stainless steel which would extend aft of the leading edge of the rudder. This would close that gap and eliminate most of the problems. I don't think the full keel boats are as sensitive to this issue.

I would welcome any comments to be sent to: stubugg@gmail.com

 

[Ross]

Re: take a deep breath

My rudder is attached to my keel and after 13 seasons on the Chesapeake bay bumping into many crab pot buoys I have yet to snag one.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Last winter I installed an anode on the prop shaft with a built in line cutter. We have not had occasion to make use of it yet so I can't say if it works or not but the cost was low and it may help.

A utube presentation here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XRsj1a8j4g

Bob