Line Cutter On Prop
- Thread starter seadaddler
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Nick, I can only tell you that I almost cut my hands on one while diving under the boat. And why was I under the boat? We had grabbed a crab pot line. It wedged in the slot by the rudder, wrapped up on the prop and shaft, and actually pulled the shaft out of the coupler almost tearing the PSS Shaft Seal. That line cutter never cut a thread of that pot line.
Scuba
I guess it is better than to just keep my scuba gear and a very sharp knife on the boat,just got my spear air checked out.
Nick
I guess it is better than to just keep my scuba gear and a very sharp knife on the boat,just got my spear air checked out.
Nick
Useless against crab pots
I'm in the chesapeake bay and get into a lot of crab pot infested areas. I have NEVER caught on or had the line cutter do its thing on one. They just don't seem to snag on the boat even when the friends at the helm drive right over the things.
My experience with painters convinced me that they are not that hot at severing those either. Always us a polypropylene painter and you will not need a line cutter.
Against fish net or other stuff I can't comment as I've not run afoul of them but I'd be surprised if something like a fish net did not get fouled at multiple spots when it does foul the bottom.
FWIW
I'm in the chesapeake bay and get into a lot of crab pot infested areas. I have NEVER caught on or had the line cutter do its thing on one. They just don't seem to snag on the boat even when the friends at the helm drive right over the things.
My experience with painters convinced me that they are not that hot at severing those either. Always us a polypropylene painter and you will not need a line cutter.
Against fish net or other stuff I can't comment as I've not run afoul of them but I'd be surprised if something like a fish net did not get fouled at multiple spots when it does foul the bottom.
FWIW
Shaft Razor
I put a cutter, the Shaft Razor brand, on my shaft after I installed a feathering 3-blade prop. I was concerned with possible damage to my prop with wrapped lines.
I have had the cutter sever numerous lines. Almost all the lines cut were because the pots were underwater and could not be seen.
However, one line that was floating in the water and not attached to a trap was wound up on my prop without any cutting action. In order for the cutter to work, I guess it must need one end of the line fixed so that it will pull tight across the cutting surface.
I am always mindful of the cutter whenever I dive on the prop and I give very strong warnings to anyone else that is doing the same. You must be very careful in the Spring when working around the cutter also. It is EXTREMELY sharp.
Link to manufacturer:
http://www.evolutionmarine.com/detail.html?id=3002&cart=12316008619788930
I have no connection to them, only a 8-year customer.
I put a cutter, the Shaft Razor brand, on my shaft after I installed a feathering 3-blade prop. I was concerned with possible damage to my prop with wrapped lines.
I have had the cutter sever numerous lines. Almost all the lines cut were because the pots were underwater and could not be seen.
However, one line that was floating in the water and not attached to a trap was wound up on my prop without any cutting action. In order for the cutter to work, I guess it must need one end of the line fixed so that it will pull tight across the cutting surface.
I am always mindful of the cutter whenever I dive on the prop and I give very strong warnings to anyone else that is doing the same. You must be very careful in the Spring when working around the cutter also. It is EXTREMELY sharp.
Link to manufacturer:
http://www.evolutionmarine.com/detail.html?id=3002&cart=12316008619788930
I have no connection to them, only a 8-year customer.
Seems a line cutter wouldn't work at all while sailing, though since we have a folding prop we have never in 23 years hooked up a crab pot. I'd be reluctant to dive under the boat to release a line with one on the shaft if the boat were bouncing around at all; posssibly a good way to get cut up yourself. With a previous shoal draft boat and outboard motor We just once got our rudder hung up on crabber's a submerged trot line in a river off the Chesapeake. I was able to drop sails and slip over the side to release the line without cutting anything. I'd be very reluctant to cut off a crab pot without at least re-tying the ends for the waterman, but I've never been motoring and caught in a position where a line wrapped around the shaft could do real damage to the boat.
Maybe it takes two cutters and the location is key. This one was on the shaft between the strut and prop I think. This was a delivery with a fixed prop. But even with a folder like I have if you are motoring then . . . .
We were motor-sailing a few miles offshore and south of Naples on the way to Marathon. Believe me that a very sharp knife is the right tool. There wasn't much left of that line, came off in several little pieces after several dives under. We had no scuba gear, just fins and mask. Fortunately I was not the one at the helm. But anyone could have done it as we were non-stop. Funny that we would catch one during the day after all those dark nighttime hours.
We were motor-sailing a few miles offshore and south of Naples on the way to Marathon. Believe me that a very sharp knife is the right tool. There wasn't much left of that line, came off in several little pieces after several dives under. We had no scuba gear, just fins and mask. Fortunately I was not the one at the helm. But anyone could have done it as we were non-stop. Funny that we would catch one during the day after all those dark nighttime hours.
For what it's worth, I think having a folding prop reduces the need for a line cutter. Sure, you may still get caught now and then, but I've had my folding prop fold up when it was wrapped and the line came off. A fixed prop would have needed a line cutter.
Paul
Paul
I think the issue is catching a line when motoring, not sailing.
I have caught a line when sailing but it was caught around the keel not the prop. A simple turn-around (in the right direction of course) has always freed the line for me.
Motoring is quite another issue as the line gets caught and then winds itself around the prop. Without a cutter, there are not many successful options to free yourself without diving on the prop.
I have caught a line when sailing but it was caught around the keel not the prop. A simple turn-around (in the right direction of course) has always freed the line for me.
Motoring is quite another issue as the line gets caught and then winds itself around the prop. Without a cutter, there are not many successful options to free yourself without diving on the prop.
Line wrapped around a prop
It's happened to me. Usually reversing the engine does the trick. If not, then it's into the drink with a sharp knife. Carefully check for a blown prop seal when you get back to port.
It's happened to me. Usually reversing the engine does the trick. If not, then it's into the drink with a sharp knife. Carefully check for a blown prop seal when you get back to port.
There are three types to consider.
Scissor type: Spurs/Gator/Stripper
Disc
rop protector, prop shark + a few more
Shaver: quicKutter
All operate in a different way and have varying degrees of followers and success stories.
Scissor type: Spurs/Gator/Stripper
Disc
rop protector, prop shark + a few more Shaver: quicKutter
All operate in a different way and have varying degrees of followers and success stories.
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