Painter wrapped around prop

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Nodak7

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
Last weekend we ended up backing over the painter for the Dinghy. It wrapped around the prop until the engine stopped. I was able to work it off and it does not appear to have hurt anything. There is no vibration and the shaft seal is still dripping 1 drop every so often. It did look like the shaft might have been pulled out about 1/2" but returned to its former position.

The water is getting a bit cold to so going down and looking at it is not an attractive thought. We will be pulling the boat out the first week of October and I plan on inspecting it more closely then. The painter was a cotton twisted 3 strand line that sheared pretty quickly.

Is there anything that I should be looking for or looking at?
 
Alan

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Replace your painter with a floating line. That will prevent this from ever happening again.

To be able to extend your time in the water or just making it more comfortable to go in I use the jacket of a wet suit. It makes a hellava difference.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
You don't say whether you have actually motored out in the boat. I think if you have then you would know if the prop strut is bent or loose. Can you see the mounting inside the boat for your strut? I would check there to make sure that nothing is loose and there are no leaks. Even then I would keep my motoring to a minimum until haulout.
 
B

Benny

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Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
It is normal for the shaft to move out and then back in once you remove the wrapped line. The main thing to look for is that you do not have a water leak. After that you may check that you have not broken any engine mounts and that the shaft is turning true. I would motor it and try to feel for any new vibrations or noises. Chances are you will suffer no ill effects.
 
Nodak7

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
I noticed no abnormal vibrations when coming into the last last weekend. She seems to have shaken it off. Ed, I really avoided the floating line because it is nylon and thus much more difficult to shear off. Can the prop "suck" the line down when in reverse?
 
Nodak7

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
You are right this makes a lot of sense. Will get some on order. Thanks
 
Scott B

Scott B

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Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Alan said:
Actually it is a core of polypropylene with a nylon cover. You can buy it from the Store on this site. http://shop.sailboatowners.com/google/custom.htm?vp=169833

No reversing wont suck this line down, your prop is far to deep and far away for that and the rudder would block it.
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Actually wrong....... been there, done it. Pulled into an anchorage, dropped anchor, backed down then pushed throttle to 1500 until the engine / prop locked up after it sucked the FLOATING LINE down into the prop. Same line in the link. Usually I pull the dinghy right up tight, but that time forgot. Luckily the water was warm and I could unwrap the line without damage or cutting.
 
Alan

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Strange how in 30+ years of sailing I've never once been able to accomplish sucking a floating painter into my prop, guess I must be damn lucky!!
 
B

Benny

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Sep 27, 2008
1,149
Hunter 320 Tampa, FL
That is why in boating you never say "never". Although it is highly unlikely that you can wrap a floating line around your prop there is allway someone who accomplishes the seemingly impossible feat. Notwhistanding a floating line is still the best choice for a dink painter.
 
Nodak7

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
Thanks everyone for your contribution. I think a floating line is in my future. Just got back from an awesome sail. Friday it was 34 and snowing like crazy. Yesterday was cool with very fickle winds and today we mad a great run home with 15-27kts winds. Loved it!
 
G

graham

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Mar 9, 2009
21
Hunter 30 (1980) 30,000 islands (Georgian Bay)
Scott B said:
Actually wrong....... been there, done it. Pulled into an anchorage, dropped anchor, backed down then pushed throttle to 1500 until the engine / prop locked up after it sucked the FLOATING LINE down into the prop. Same line in the link. Usually I pull the dinghy right up tight, but that time forgot. Luckily the water was warm and I could unwrap the line without damage or cutting.
Click to expand
Exact same for me.
 
Nodak7

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
Graham, are you saying you got your floating line in the prop as well?
 
Scott B

Scott B

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Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Nodak7 said:
Graham, are you saying you got your floating line in the prop as well?
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I tow the dinghy 25 - 30' behind the boat and as I back up to drop the anchor leaves all that line gathered behind the boat. The cavitation from the prop sucked the line down into the prop. I've read several others on here that have done this with floating line as well. I put the dinghy tow line on a winch and pull up tight to the boat as I enter an anchorage or marina.
 
Nodak7

Nodak7

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Sep 28, 2008
1,256
Hunter 41DS Punta Gorda, FL
Good idea Scott! Thanks. I usually pull the dink up close to the boat but since I was not at the helm this time I forgot it. Will not again though!
 
G

graham

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Mar 9, 2009
21
Hunter 30 (1980) 30,000 islands (Georgian Bay)
Nodak7 said:
Graham, are you saying you got your floating line in the prop as well?
Click to expand
I did indeed. The first time I anchored the boat (sigh). Good rookie lesson learned. It unwrapped without requiring cutting, but was on solidly enough to kill the engine while backing down.

A little over an hour (in a wetsuit - in Georgian Bay at the beginning of May you need one) and it was unwrapped.

My wife told my kids to watch over the stern and to yell if dad's feet stop kicking. There was some chop so the hull was pushing me up and down as I went under repeatedly to unwrap a quarter turn at a time.

Good times.
 
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G

graham

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Mar 9, 2009
21
Hunter 30 (1980) 30,000 islands (Georgian Bay)
Scott B said:
I put the dinghy tow line on a winch and pull up tight to the boat as I enter an anchorage or marina.
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I have two lines from the dinghy, ending in a snap hook each running forward. Entering an anchorage or marina those hooks go to the toe rails aft.

When towing they clip on to a ring. From the ring I have another 35 feet of floating rope to let the bridle out. This is on a cleat in the cockpit once adjusted.

I have floats where the hooks are. Taking no chances now :) .
 
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G

graham

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Mar 9, 2009
21
Hunter 30 (1980) 30,000 islands (Georgian Bay)
Scott B said:
Graham, we're just up the Bay from you. Sent you a PM.
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Indeed. I'm an avid follower of your Sweetwater Cruising. Please keep it going!

I'm just down a few slips from Tim at marineledscanada.ca.
 
Scott B

Scott B

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Sep 20, 2006
2,952
Hunter 33 Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
graham said:
Indeed. I'm an avid follower of your Sweetwater Cruising. Please keep it going!

I'm just down a few slips from Tim at marineledscanada.ca.
Click to expand

Sweetwater is not mine, but is by Doug Hunter a writer from Midland area, I like the info he has on the area and like to give him some promo to keep the site going.

Say hi to Tim. We met him last year when we ran into Anika Lela, another H33 from Hindson's and posts on here, just northof Perry Sound and then again at Hope.
 
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