Prop work at Sea?

[Bait O' Eggs]

I have pondered doing a deep water prop change, but figured the odds of needing to do it are pretty slim.

That prop is a long way back there when the 225 is trimmed all the way up. Closer but not to easy to work on when trimmed all the way down

This weekend I fouled a bunch of line around the prop doing the halbiut back down on the swell.

When you can look back at the motor and see a wad of 80lb braided line looking like it is about the diameter of your finger you know your in trouble. I cant untangle that stuff when it has 2 wraps around the rod tip, let alone the 100 + wraps around a prop with loops sticking out.

I could have gone for a swim with the rocket suit and tried to untangle it but the ocean was a bit angry on Saturday and that motor would have beaten you to death in a few seconds.

Between getting the rope tied to me and having one foot on the prop on the trolling motor, and one on the offshore bracket, belly across the main motor and reaching for all I am worth, unwrapping line from a prop that is airborne for 1.5 seconds then submerged a few feet for 1.5 seconds, with a 48 ounce sinker and 600 feet of line hanging on the tag end doesnt make for a loose pucker.

After getting the CG to stand by off our side while I did a circus act off the back of the boat, we got very lucky and with one cut loop, the line unwrapped quite nice, we even managed to splice the line back on the rod and reel the line and sinker back to the boat :grin: :grin:

I am going to make a board, much like a pirate might make you walk that I can attach to the offshore bracket and walk back to where the prop is. Not sure how I am going to do it, but I need a way to support myself while I work on the motor. I can come up with all kinds of methods that you might see on a boat in South Alabama right off, making it look like part of the boat and belonging there will be the challenge.

Anybody figured out how to get to the prop without swimming and killing themselves????

[ron m]

I too have been extended over the motor, not a secure feeling. I had someone running the boat last year tuna fishing when the line got fouled, but it could easily have happened with me running the boat. I've started using the kicker most of the time for backing down or whenever the lines might get fouled because I'd rather have the kicker fouled than the big motor. But getting line fouled in the prop could easily still happen, especially with the Edwing bracket putting the motor so far back and the aluminum hull behaving like a big bubble and being moved sideways so easily by the wind.

If you get it figured out, I'd sure like to see it. Maybe a couple of brackets welded on the platform and a removable plank to walk that could be put in place when needed.

good luck getting something set up
ron m

[skein]

I'm not so sure I would attempt it. I think it's dangerous no matter what kind of access you design. Think about falling off into the COLD water while the waves slam the boat and motor down on you as you attempt to work on it or climb back aboard after you've gone in. The same situation is true even with a rocket suit, except you won't be hypothermic while you're at it.

If it's line, how 'bout a knife on an extension handle so you can reach out from the transom and cut it free. Maybe one of those skinning/gutting knives with the gut hook on it.

Do I have one? Nooooo, but I think I'll look into putting something together. Line happens.

If the problem is your prop, then fire up the kicker and the radio and head for home. Let's see, 32 miles at 8 mph - that's only 4 hours. Then get the CG to tow you through the jaws.

[wthr4d]

Short of swimming with your snorkel in place the best way I've seen was to use the Gaff.

you hook the leading edge with the gaff, then use it like a needle threader on a sewing machine. It takes time and patience but you arent hanging as far off the back end and often you can get the line off the prop intact.

Now I havent seen this use any further out than the rockpile so I dont know how it will work with more than a 100-150' of line.

Paul

[Nalu]

Duct taping the knife to the end of the boat hook, or harpoon is pretty effective at lengthening your reach. (two hose clamps work better though) It's nice to have a serrated blade that can saw through rope if need be.

I haven't had to do this with my current boat, but have had to in the past when we ran into a line from a submerged crab pot buoy.

[Bendman]

BOE,
Did it actually stop your main? I’ve had line wrap up it a prop even rope but I’ve never it had actually render the motor useless. Well the rope did but after I cut the ends I had power. I think Skein has the right idea with the knife taped to a stick or something. I don’t even like standing on the front of the boat when the ocean is bucking let alone some little plank.

[Popeye]

Check out Spurs Marine online

[Bait O' Eggs]

We got the motor out of gear fairly fast but when the motor is idling around 700 +/- rpm it doesnt take to many seconds to get a lot of wraps. It was several seconds before we figured out why that rod folded and line was stripping

We contemplated cutting it, I started off by using the gaff trying to unwrap it. I got the first 3 or 4 wraps off before I came to the first knot.

I was afraid to cut the line and run it, though I would have if push came to shove. I was concerned about line getting down to the seal and ruining the seal, Before I made the 2 hour run it I might have smoked the lower end with no oil left in it had the seal failed.

As it turned out we could have run it as no line made it down to the seal but I didnt know that till I got to the ramp and pulled the prop.

I could have stuck a knife back there and started hacking but I had hopes of getting it all off before I started making little pieces and ends I wouldnt be able to get ahold of unless the prop was off.

This also has me thinking a nylock nut rather than the castle nut and cotter pin may be a good idea. Pulling a cotter pin at sea would be a bugger. Maybe a castle nut and a washer with a couple fins that get bent down. :whazzup:

I still think I want to rig a way I can get myself back to the prop without standing on my head while balancing on a ball on a high wire with a blind fold.

Maybe a couple studs welded on the offshore bracket that I can lay plank over and put some nuts on, maybe pull the cooler off the offshore bracket and make a mount to go on those attachment points. Maybe a couple tubes welded to the offshore bracket I can slide a smaller tube in to attach the plank with.

A crab rope would be a little harder to cut, but a knife on a stick would be effective for that, getting myself there would be easier once I get the plank figured out.

[Popeye]

Whadidi break the rules

[Megabites]

We keep scuba equipment on board just in case the situation ever did arise that we needed to go into the water to fix something. It actually got used one time but on another boat. A commercial guy had a line wrapped in his prop that he could not get. I was not on the trip but the owner of the boat let the guy use the gear as he stood by. Got it cleared and all was well.

[crabbait]

You just need a crab davit with a long arm, Roy.

We'll just hang a block on the end and take a couple wraps around your middle and we can just lower you down to prop altitude!

[Megabites]

You just need a crab davit with a long arm, Roy.

We'll just hang a block on the end and take a couple wraps around your middle and we can just lower you down to prop altitude!

Something I must see!

[tracker]

I had to do the hanging dexterity prop repair removable fish line thing last year tuna fishing. Was able to get all line back onto the reel and back to fishing. Seas were relitively good. Would not be fun in real bumpy seas.

[jocose]

i have been thinking about this for a while too and am going to rig one of my expanding aluminum hooked poles to accept a retractable curved razor knife. i think this may work to remove fouled anchor and fish lines from a outboard motor. i was going to remove the plastic hook and make a holder out of uhmw plastic... my other idea is to embed a straight razor into the pole hook and sheath it for safety when not in use.. that may be simpler to rig up... what do you think?

[Reel Creel]

The nice thing about most I/Os is you can reach the props.

[retaliate]

I fell in once untangling line, luckily it was a nice day.
a 1/4" wet suit, or dry suit would come in handy, for thoes situations, Last year I went out with Maverick for Salmon, cause the bar was restricted to 26', Puffin, & Kory K. were also abord, whe Maverick ran over his Crab bouy, it was stuck uder his boat, he thought it got sucked into the jet intake, after motoring back, & forth with the port motor, it still didn't break free, so I stripped down to my undies
threw on a lifejacket, & jumped in, I was standing on the Crab rope & it still wouldn't break free, I swam to the back
of the boat with the rope, & it finally came loose.
Maverick was very thankfull, the water was 52 deg. but it felt colder. Maverick said he plans on keeping a wetsuit, or drysuit on board from now on.

[Puffin]

Aint it fun roy? This is the part of being the guy in charge that sucks. Fortunately it only happens once in a great while. I always remind the crew frequently remember we are backing in to it watch the lines.

[Finnlander]

I have had this unpleasant experience a few times,once in a lonely cover near Prince Rupert.My solution each time was to fasten a fish knife (surreted) sp? to a boat hook and sawed the line off.It seems to work quite well with the toothed blade.They also do a good job on fish.

[Bait O' Eggs]

I only need the problem once and I am gonna do something to help remedy it the next time



I built a plank that can be used for disobedient swabbies or prop work. I stuck to a size that will easily store behind one of the backs on the bench seats. I located it between the main and trolling motor so I had bumpers to help keep me on the plank. :tongue: I welded a inch thick piece of stock under the offshore bracket, drilled and tapped it thru the offshore bracket for a pair of bolts that go thru the plank into the stock. Drilled an extra hole in the plank so I can tie it off before we drop it while installing it.

Next time I need to get back to the prop in deep water, I at least have a plan to get there that doesnt include me in the water.

[San Anita]

:shocked: Dont make the boy walk the plank! Im sure he didnt break whatever got broke. Look at that face. Make him scrub the deck after several tuna are on board.

[edsr]

Damn - Fishing on Aces & Eights just got a lot harder. Think about it - you miss with the gaff you walk the plank, you don't bring enough beer you walk the the plank, etc., etc., etc.

Roy is the only Salty Dog I know that actually has a "Plank" to walk, it could start a trend.

edsr

[Ride Red]

And the best part of all is now that you've gone to all the trouble to make it, you'll never have a problem again.