Most sailors are likely to foul their prop(s) at some time during their sailing career, and it can be quite costly if you're unlucky. I've done it a couple of times now, and hope to avoid a reoccurrence.
Here are my prop fouling adventures and the lessons I've learned the hard way:
blog.arribasail.com/2015/01/prop-fouling-101.html
Its also the stuff you cant see, I hit a pallet in the yarra luckily it was pine I chopped it to bits. If you tow a dinghy use floating line less likely of it washing under the boat.
Interesting reading scruzin. Not happened to myself ( yet) but son in law purchased about five years ago a 36 ft iron sailer and one of first weekend trips away anchored at north straddie not realising a stern line had fallen overboard sometime during trip and when he reversed to set anchor the stern line fouled the prop. Only he and my daughter on board,no scuba gear, goggles etc. so they took it in turns with a fishing knife to cut away rope .
Took 3 hours.Guess what I bought them for christmas , flippers , snorkel , goggles and a suitable knife.
A hard lesson learnt
Select to expand quoteBananabender said..
Interesting reading scruzin. Not happened to myself ( yet) but son in law purchased about five years ago a 36 ft iron sailer and one of first weekend trips away anchored at north straddie not realising a stern line had fallen overboard sometime during trip and when he reversed to set anchor the stern line fouled the prop. Only he and my daughter on board,no scuba gear, goggles etc. so they took it in turns with a fishing knife to cut away rope .
Took 3 hours.Guess what I bought them for christmas , flippers , snorkel , goggles and a suitable knife.
A hard lesson learnt
Nice Christmas present. Yes, every boat should have a mask and snorkel (and several good knives). I'm quite a fan of keeping a Hookah on board too.
Yes I read your article . To be honest I had never heard of one but will show article to daughter and soninlaw tomorrow . Going for a motor on broardwater tomorrow.
