First taste of humble pie

ballinsncbirth

New Member
May 11, 2014
43
clear lake tx
Boat Info
2006 320 sundancer
Engines
350 mag
Hello all, new boater , 320 dancer been going for 2 months now
had my first tow last night .. Wanted to share for critiques and thoughts

so out with the fam watching the fireworks last night in galveston bay , moderate chop, ole lady wanted me up at the bow with her

so dropped anchor , everything great 7:1 etc

When I was ready to leave I started making my way towards the anchor , pulling the windlass up as I go

Little did I know the rope was kinked and wasn't actually drawing the anchor up ..and I realize this as the boat is over the anchor

go to bow to unkink the line and boat starts turning in circles from the strong wind and current lol by the time I make it back to helm boat has almost done a 180

dark .. Can't see exactly where the anchor is now ..turning the boat to where I think it is as windlass won't pull up

Bam starboard engine cuts off ...crap.. Go up to bow and anchor line is tight against the keel .... And won't move

starboard engine starts fine but once in gear just cuts off

have to cut the anchor line and try limping back slowly on port engine

port engine cuts off in the busy channel and suddenly boat twists hard to starboard causing boat behind me to take evasive action

got her moored on side of channel and the engines will cut on fine but once in either gear dies ...

tow boat called ... Get back to my dock with humble pie all over my face

now I gotta go diving and cut what I'm guessing is the anchor line completely wrapped around the propellers any suggestions on best way to do this ?

Great Learning experience I guess

boating ain't easy ...lol
 
I'm sorry to hear your story. It sounds like a harrowing experience. 1) Good reason to carry a second anchor on board. Additionally, I personally use the combination of engine thrust and windlass to retrieve the anchor. It isn't suggested to only use the windlass as this puts a lot of strain on it. Also, I like to have someone watch my rode from the bow if possible.

Glad you are at the dock safely. Hire a professional diver to repair. IMHO.
 
I'd advise hiring a diver to cut it. A lot people drown each year trying to cut away things from the props, not worth the risk. IMHO


Ha just came back from the store with knife , snorkel , light etc ready to jump in the water and try and cut it ....
then read your post ......and think I might take your advice ... One of those things that seems like it should be easy .. But probably isn't I'm guessing
 
Ha just came back from the store with knife , snorkel , light etc ready to jump in the water and try and cut it ....
then read your post ......and think I might take your advice ... One of those things that seems like it should be easy .. But probably isn't I'm guessing

Wise decision. I have had to clear fouled props twice. It's quite a bit harder than it sounds. One trick I have learned. I use a retractable utility knife (think home depot, contractor's type) with new blade. Fairlty cheap and easy to replace the blade. Call a diver if that is an option.
 
The diver Sea Tow hired to release my prop from a mooring line came prepared with a brand new set of steak knives, from Wal Mart. Did the trick. He burnt thtough 2 or 3 of 'em.
 
Nylon line will melt and become one with the prop shaft. The diver should be skilled enough to let you know if the nylon has made its way into the shaft seals too. If they have then the seal will leak as soon as the rope is cut out.
 
A friend of mine did the same as you. He bent the shafts and struts. I would have the boat hauled and verify.


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Is this boat v-drives or I/O's? If its I/O's you could try trimming it up to trailer mode and start cutting away. If its v-drives I'd probably hire a diver or pay for a short haul. Either way, sorry to hear of your troubles but glad you made it through ok.


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Todd
 
I've had to go over with mask and snorkel twice now,

Once a tow line......that's a full story in itself! Ended up costing me a new prop.....it was right on dusk in murky water in Botany Bay, we were being blown sideways into moored boats, the rope had wrapped around both drives and stalled the motors. The jaws music was going through my head the whole time.

The second I was towing my dinghy through Darling Harbour, a boat cut in front which caused me to stop quickly, yep you guessed it.....I pulled into a Black Wattle bay, dropped the anchor, noticed people were swimming their dogs, however they were making their dogs stay in against the bank in the shallow. Again no visibility!!





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So I should stop throwing the grand kids over the side and making them swim to the dock with my tow line??:lol:

Amazing how quick they swim when you reverse towards them, particularly with the legs raised!


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I tangled up in some mooring tackle and knocked out both my engines not too long ago, unfortunately for me it was at the start of an overnight weekend trip to one of our favorite harbors. I was fortunate, though, that there was a diver passing by in his boat just about when this happened and he got me cut loose for a mere 20 bucks out of my pocket, so I could go about my weekend. Once he got everything cut loose, on our next trip out I noticed I could only make about 12-14 knots. I had to have my props pulled and repaired, they were pretty banged up surprisingly. No other damage, and I was back to 29 kts with the props tuned up.

Hope you do not have any permanent damage, but most likely you will need some additional repairs.
 
Is it just me or is anyone else wondering how a tow line gets caught in a prop? Any tow line should be polypropylene so it won't sink below the surface and...get wrapped up in a prop.

Not trying to insult anybody, just confused.


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AMFM3, it's the anchor line that's caught up, not a tow line.

I would definitely not dive in at a Marina- the risk of electrocution is real.. Also did you have a hand held spotlight? Always good to have at least one with the boat.. Can be very scary when the engines fail and you're in the channel especially with current and traffic.. I had a line wrapped around one of my props (V-Drives) in Bimini from the dingy... got very close to the coral and immediately shut off and dropped anchor. I always carry a few sharp knives, and one of the other boaters were friends and scuba divers, and went over and cut the line and untangled for me. Waters are super clear so did not take long.. We all learn and have to be vigilant when it comes to safety... Humble Pie is ok - I think we all eat it from time to time.. As long as we learn and don't make the same mistakes again.. :) Glad you're all safe!!
 
I just towed a guy back to his dock...he ran over his towline it wrapped its self around the shaft. Sometimes you just can't see the floating line. It just happens
 

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