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

[Cathy*]

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

He isn't my friend I don't know him I found his email address from their club website accessible to anyone so I doubt he'll be concerned.

 

[Sailfree]

I would be surprised if a plastic bag would cause much problem and they are bio degradable anyway.

I had a sheet of polythene wrapped round my prop in Guernsey Harbour. It winds on really tight and absolute bugger to cut it away completely. Luckily I had my diving gear with me but spent a lot of time underneath the boat doing it. Got a bollocking from the customs officer in there dory though - no diving allowed!

 

[PhillM]

Quick update, at lunchtime today I popped round to the boat and got the bag our with my wooden pole + double hook, bronze headed boat hook. I had tried the usual ali + plastic boathook but that didnt have the weight in it to grab the plastic.

Turns out it was fairly heavy duty white plastic, so I assume its come from the docks or the building work at OV.

Ran the engine and all seems fine, but I have booked my lift for a week today because I do need to get on with the maintenance anyway.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Another lesson learned

 

[Neil_Y]

There are two main problems (damage) caused by debris caught and wrapped by the prop. The shaft can often still turn but you may notice vibration.
1. It can stop water exiting the bearing (if water lubricated) this can cause the bearing to run hot and wear out.
2. The debris winds in the gap between prop and bearing and pulls the shaft aft, so look at the engine mounts to see if the engine is being pulled back. With a reduction gearbox and polyprop rope this can be enough to pull the gearbox off the engine. Probably not in a yacht with a small engine though.
3. If the debris on the prop is very unbalanced it can shake the engine off its mounts.

So even if it seems clear worth getting it checked as soon as you can before motoring far.

 

[fireball]

Or do need a diver?

You've fixed it - so it's a bit late for this, but I'll say it anyway ..


The water if flipping cold at this time of year - so I wouldn't be too eager to get in to clear anything, unless you've got the appropriate kit on ...

 

[Glennboatsafety]

Paul from Marine Windows is a Diver and would sort this in 2 minutes.

 

[PhillM]

Thanks Neily, agreed, I'm only going to motor to the next marina along where she can be lifted.

Fireball, agreed. I have a wet suit and I doubt I'd die, but I was never keen on mouthfuls of ocean village marina water. Leave that to younger, fitter people.

 

[langstonelayabout]

If you've made it to a marina try getting to a pair of scrubbing piles. You can do the job there with just a breadknife and some bad language... (remember your wellies)