Flotsam or Jetsam? Well, We Did Catch Something.....

[wings&wheels]

Cruising at about 25 kph between Cuttyhunk and Westport, MA and THUD, the starboard engine shuts down, the boat yaws and then port one throttled to idle. We stopped, tried restarting the engine, which it did, then decided to shut it off and raise it. Found this ball of illegal, assuming it was used for traps, floating rope.

One of the tips I got for boating was to carry inexpensive drywall saws for just such and occasion, although this unwound from the gear surprisingly easily.

The engine ran fine on the way back, but inspection time. Be careful out there!

 

[Kira]

Does your prop have shear pins?

 

[wings&wheels]

Does your prop have shear pins?

Not a traditional one, the props have a hub "Damper" that I believe will shear with enough force. These are 350HP so may be beyond a traditional shear pin.

 

[SShooterZ]

Those will have hard rubber/plastic hubs that are supposed to strip themselves when an obstruction is encountered. If you were able to make it back, I'm guessing you're OK. Oddly enough, fishing line is a bigger enemy as it typically won't alert you and the motor will run fine until you realize your gear oil is gone because the shaft seal got smoked.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Lots of floating crap out there! I've hit a floating chest freezer and a 100lb propane tank offshore. One time I was waiting for an opening bridge in Ft. Lauderdale and when I put it in gear nada! I had wound up a large floating clear sheet of plastic. Luckily we drifted up against a derelict boat tied up along the canal and we were able to raft up until I could clear the prop.

 

[SonofaBoomer]

Those will have hard rubber/plastic hubs that are supposed to strip themselves when an obstruction is encountered. If you were able to make it back, I'm guessing you're OK. Oddly enough, fishing line is a bigger enemy as it typically won't alert you and the motor will run fine until you realize your gear oil is gone because the shaft seal got smoked.

Yup a lot of manufacturers recommend inspecting the line trap every few outings just in case.

I have a very cheap and simple boat but it is amazing how much can go wrong real quick on the water.