Bag round the prop, ok to motor to a lift?

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PhillM

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Daft question I suppose.... Today after getting home fine I noticed something white next to my rudder. Had a poke with a brush and it looks like there is a plastic bag round my prop. Prop turns fine when pushed by the brush and I didn't notice any loss of power under motor from soton dockhead where I dropped the sails, into Ocean Village.

I need to lift and do the maintainence stuff anyway, so now seems as good a time as any. Anybody see any problems motoring to Shanrock or Hambke point for a lift out? Or do need a diver?
 
I go one round my prop last autumn, but it was causing more trouble, little drive and the steering affected. Fortunately I only had to go a couple of hundred metres to the club scrubbing grid.

I'd be inclined to try and get as much as I could off from the surface in case it decides to give more grief on the way, then go for it. Just be aware that if it's dragging behind the prop going ahead, there's just a chance it could be pulled back to shield the prop as you go astern - embarrassing if it's to put the brakes on to avoid something expensive!
 
You should be able to tear or cut it if you can see it. Large kitchen knife taped to a broom handle? Failing that I'd be putting the wetsuit on.
 
best solution would be prodiver to remove then lift. You doing it with wetsuit is fine but has some risks if you are not used to diving ( even snorkel) in cold murky water. However - minimal risk to a short journey so in practice would cut off as much as you can, also how far from your prop is the water intake - make sure that is clear. Would look to minimise the distance travelled under motor so would say Hamble is out. Shamrock is only a few minutes from you so would suggest heading there - ideally in benign conditions and with a contingency plan .
 
Thanks guys, helpful stuff.

Agreed that an unfit and inexperienced bloke like what I am, going diving, might not be the best way forward. Or as swimbo just put it, a good way to turn a minor issue into a drama.

I suspect a diver will be the answer. Anyone got any recommendations for Southampton?
 
Getting a professional diver out just to remove a plastic bag from your prop seems like turning a minor issue into a drama to me. Knife taped to a broom handle seems feasible if you're not inclined to get in the water yourself.
 
Sticking my neck out I would be surprised if a bag could do much damage especially for a very short trip. It seems unlikely even if it became wrapped around the shaft there is sufficient strength and resistance in the plastic to resist the turning forces which whould quickly wear away the bag. I suppose it may depend a little on the size of the engine. Personally I wouldnt worry - but that is just me - and assuming you mean a thin plastic bag, not a builders merchant aggregate bag. :encouragement:
 
ip485 said:
Sticking my neck out I would be surprised if a bag could do much damage especially for a very short trip. It seems unlikely even if it became wrapped around the shaft there is sufficient strength and resistance in the plastic to resist the turning forces which whould quickly wear away the bag. I suppose it may depend a little on the size of the engine. Personally I wouldnt worry - but that is just me - and assuming you mean a thin plastic bag, not a builders merchant aggregate bag. :encouragement:
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I agree, If it's a shopping bag it's not going to do serious damage, but may cause inconvenience, so get rid of as much as you can without going in the water and go for it. The builder's bag is another matter altogether. That is a job for a diver or a tow to the lift.
 
Stemar said:
I agree, If it's a shopping bag it's not going to do serious damage, but may cause inconvenience, so get rid of as much as you can without going in the water and go for it. The builder's bag is another matter altogether. That is a job for a diver or a tow to the lift.
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Tbh not sure exactly what it is, when I first saw it it reminded me of a clump of toilet roll. When I attacked it with a brush I couldn't get any traction on it cause the prop kept moving round. It only appears on one side of the prop, if that makes sense.

It cannot foul the water inlet, that's at least a meter forward of the prop.

Btw the boat is long keeled, tramsom hung rudder and the prop is in a cut out of the rudder. Newish beta 14 with three blade prop.

I'll try a knife tomorrow and see if that clears it.
 
You could try running alternately ahead and astern moderately abruptly a few times in succession. Seems to work for me (cone clutch 110s) and usually flings the offending plastic out to the side.
 
Davegriff said:
You could try running alternately ahead and astern moderately abruptly a few times in succession. Seems to work for me (cone clutch 110s) and usually flings the offending plastic out to the side.
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Just what I was going to suggest. usually works ........... Didn't shift a pair of trousers though, but the boat hook did .... luckily nobody still wearing them!
 
If you were in Plymouth I'd do it for you (although diving in our marina is not allowed). There will be plenty of divers around your area. If you decide you might need one you could start with Martinjdaniel@googlemail.com the diving officer of Southampton BSAC. He'll either say yes or should be able to direct you to someone who can help.
 
Hauled my new-to-me boat out for survey last month. Found a large shredded plastic bag round the prop shaft just forward of the P bracket. The friction had caused it to melt itself onto the propshaft and to cause damage to the Cutlass bearing, which will need replaced. Even on the hard strong men with sharp knives could not completely remove it. Plastic bags? Never underestimate the little bu66ers.
 
Cathy* said:
If you were in Plymouth I'd do it for you (although diving in our marina is not allowed). There will be plenty of divers around your area. If you decide you might need one you could start with M*********l@googlemail.com the diving officer of Southampton BSAC. He'll either say yes or should be able to direct you to someone who can help.
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Your friend martin will not thank you for putting his email into an open forum. He may we get spammed to death. Can I suggest you edit you post, removing the address and offer to send the email by PM if someone wants it

Tudorsailor
 
Davegriff said:
You could try running alternately ahead and astern moderately abruptly a few times in succession. Seems to work for me (cone clutch 110s) and usually flings the offending plastic out to the side.
Click to expand...

Of no direct help for the case in hand, but a warning nevertheless...

We were motoring on passage from Antipaxos to Levkas, hoping to be in time for the bridge opening. The engine note changed slightly and we slowed a little. Something round the prop was our guess, and a bit of reverse was the only cure we cared to try. That did diagnose the problem: the shaft coupling had become loose and while in forward drive the thrust kept it in place, though with some slip; in reverse it pulled out of the coupling.

Since we were on flotilla, though with no other boats in sight, we had no tools and had to rely on the lead boat to sort us out. To concentrate our minds they pointed out via VHF that if the shaft slid out completely it would leave an awkward hole and anyway they had no spares!

But the lead boat soon arrived, crew clad in wetsuits and with simple tools. The shaft was pushed back, the coupling tightened, and we had no trouble from it for the rest of our fortnight...

Mike.
 
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