Line Cutter

[Ed]

About to order a new boat Hunter 306, shluld I have a line cutter installed on the prop shaft? I sail in Mystic Ct and the number of lobster pots are unbelivable. Any input?

 

[Tim Schaaf]

Definitely

If you really analyze the bad accidents boats have, in an extraordinary number of times, when things really get out of hand is when the prop gets fouled. IMHO, a line cutter should be right up there in the most installed safety equipment. For some reason, not many people have them, but I have had mine for about eleven years, and would never have a boat without one. They are also great for kelp, etc.

 

[Aldo Lozano]

Line cutter?

Hummm... First time hear about it, but then, Tim, I am a very new sailor. In my line of work you see them in front of the helicopters...How they work and were you get them, Tim?Thanks, Aldoalozano@monmouth.com

 

[Tony Z.]

I thought these were a gimmic

until I hit a winter log earlier this year. My boat alreay had one on it.It Works Well.

 

[Don Alexander]

Stripper

A UK magazine tested them all using ropes and bits of netting.Stripper is best - and dearest.Spurs came second and is a little cheaper.The flat disk types with just a sharp edge hardly did anything at all - they don't cost much either.I fitted a Stripper but also carry the head from a long handled hedge lopper which I have adapted to fit on the end of an extending boathook. Bought very cheaply in a gardening shop and works with a string.The theory is to hook the line and sever it without needing to pull it to the surface.I am paranoid about getting caught on a string of lobster pots whilst running downwind and/or down tide. There would be no way to get the mainsail down and nobody on board strong enough to pull the boat back against the forces of wind and water.However, as with all insurances when you have them the need never seems to arise.Regards,Don.