HELP---rope caught in prop

As a rule of thumb bow lines should never be long enough to reach the props. Spring and stern lines need to be watched carefully by your knowledgeable on board deck hand. When I'm the one one the dock I usually bring a extendable boat hook with me in case the captain is having a tough time docking. It comes in handy grabbing a railing on the boat to pull the boat into the slip.
 
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I managed to get a starboard stern line wrapped in the port props of my Rinker 350 one morning while simply repositioning the boat for cleaning the ''other side. I had an end tie so only had one finger to access the boat. It was a Tuesday after the three day Labor Day weekend and there was not a single soul on the docks to help. I was dead in the water with a cross breeze that was picking up. As I drifted past several adjacent boats I was able to grab a rail on a house boat with my boat pole and mange to pull the boat in and just hold it in place. About ten minutes later a couple of fishermen came trolling by with their lines in the water and begrudgingly agreed to lend a hand. After reeling in their lines they came over and grabbed my bow line to tow me back to my slip where I figured they could just let me drift in. I happened to be "saved" by Darrel and his other brother Darrel, a couple of complete morons that had no clue as to the physics involved in outboard motor boat maneuvering. Its too long of a story but the short version is it took five attempts and 45 minutes for them to get me close enough to my slip for me to grab a cleat and pull the boat to safety! I was grateful for the assistance but man did I want to strangle the idiots by the time we were done! A good buddy had a dive set up and removed the line a few days later. I have been absolutely anal about line stowage ever since. I did manage to snag a spring line on the 44 once while idling to the fuel dock. Heard what sounded like a shot gun blast when the line was cut by the prop under tension. It must have been just the end of the line though because it did not foul the prop just sliced clean, got lucky that time.
Carpe Diem
 
Happened to me one cold April day. Water was probably in the 40s. Boat was launched for the season. As I was puttering to my slip somehow my spring line fell in the water. Then around the prop. With the heavy spring wind, I was able to drive/drift over to an end tie. Called Towboat US for help. Got a diver, dry suit, and a knife. 20 min and one cut line later I was back in business. From that point forward, I always tie off that spring line to the rail (and constaintly watch it) when moving the boat.
 
Your insurance should cover it but if it is like mine it is 1,000 deductible. Diver is probably less.
 
I'm not doing a claim with insurance for this...was my bad, was more frustrated from the wind and...didn't have my eye on the line being cast out like I should have. I'll get it undone....my mistake, so my effort to fix it. Be it by using a endoscope to "look" under the boat and work it with a boat hook...or...find a wetsuit to borrow and just freeze my nads off...that'll be punishment enough.
 
"Pre-fill" your wetsuit with warm water from the boat.
 
mnm99 said:
Call a diver
Click to expand...
I second this. He'll have the equipment to go down their and cut it away -- knife, light, suit, etc. My guy was down for 20+ min. If it's tight, no way can you do it while holding your breath.
 
I got distracted once (too many people on the boat, too much music, too much beer) while backing up and ran over my stern anchor line. In the water with a knife I went. V-Drives/props. Next time was on my 2006 Monterey with outdrives. Turned into the creek, the creek had emptied out into the river (winds blowing water out), 6 feet of usual water quickly became 2 feet, hit a crap pot. In that case I limped back and let the marina lift the boat out and removed the pot. Very strong/high winds, not enough water to swim in, bottom too muddy to stand.

If you do limp to a service shop on one engine be sure to lock the shaft on the other engine as you can burn up your dripless shafts.
 
I keep a Mantis rig on my boat for just such an event. The tank is good for about 30 minutes and is small enough to fit in one of the berth compartments. Of course that doesn't help with the cold... Well worth it to hire a diver if you aren't setup with the right equipment.
 
Carpediem44DB said:
I managed to get a starboard stern line wrapped in the port props of my Rinker 350 one morning while simply repositioning the boat for cleaning the ''other side. I had an end tie so only had one finger to access the boat. It was a Tuesday after the three day Labor Day weekend and there was not a single soul on the docks to help. I was dead in the water with a cross breeze that was picking up. As I drifted past several adjacent boats I was able to grab a rail on a house boat with my boat pole and mange to pull the boat in and just hold it in place. About ten minutes later a couple of fishermen came trolling by with their lines in the water and begrudgingly agreed to lend a hand. After reeling in their lines they came over and grabbed my bow line to tow me back to my slip where I figured they could just let me drift in. I happened to be "saved" by Darrel and his other brother Darrel, a couple of complete morons that had no clue as to the physics involved in outboard motor boat maneuvering. Its too long of a story but the short version is it took five attempts and 45 minutes for them to get me close enough to my slip for me to grab a cleat and pull the boat to safety! I was grateful for the assistance but man did I want to strangle the idiots by the time we were done! A good buddy had a dive set up and removed the line a few days later. I have been absolutely anal about line stowage ever since. I did manage to snag a spring line on the 44 once while idling to the fuel dock. Heard what sounded like a shot gun blast when the line was cut by the prop under tension. It must have been just the end of the line though because it did not foul the prop just sliced clean, got lucky that time.
Carpe Diem
Click to expand...
I love these stories. Reminds me of some of my misadventures.

I took my new to me Regal 3780 across the river for an overnighter at another marina. Literally a 20 minute trip tops. Great night, came back the next morning in fog so I took it slow. Got into the harbor and both engines shut down. Fuel gauge showed plenty of fuel. Ended floating until I could grab an old pilon in the middle of the creek. Got a friend on the phone who towed me to the gas dock. Mechanic came out and tried everything. All symptoms were no fuel. Long story short the previous owner incorrectly marked the fuel valves. I had emptied one tank, the tank both engines were running off of. Switched over, primed the fuel/water separators, she fired right up. 2-3 hours later.

These anxious moments are good learning experiences and great memories/stories for later.

Add a wire cutter next to the knife everyone for when you pick up a crab pot; done that once too.
 
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