Croftie
Active member
As far as I know its an access tube in align with the prop. Certainly the removable top cover is above waterline. At the very top of the picture you can just see the rudder stock.
Checking prop on Mitchell 31
- Thread starter Firefly625
- Start date
Firefly625
Well-known member
that would mean of course I would not be able to reach down with my hand and clear the prop. I think there is a danger of overthinking a solution to what isn't actually a problem..
Fantasie 19
Well-known member
+1 ... the well on my old Fantasie was about 12" or so above waterline, but I never remember the water in it slopping about even when surrounding conditions were fairly lively
Firefly625
Well-known member
Hi Vas, well indeed. It disturbs my OCD nature, but nothing has worked lose and it looks like they have been set like that from new so I'm not going to fiddle.
Even more odd is I have not noticed any difference in turning circle port or starboard and its the same number of turns of the wheel from straight ahead position to right or left hand lock.... go figure?!
rustybarge
Active member
With my limited experience of clearing props, I've found thats its vitually impossible to unravel ropes off a prop; a sharp knife with a serrated edge works best to hack pieces off.
Idea no.2: get a butl collar made to fit around the box which would be easy to raise like a bellows, to gain more height above the WL. I know its very easy to join up pieces of butl rubber with a heat gun process. Only deploy in rough conditions.
To gain access to the prop you could use one of those garden trimming poles with a blade mounted on the end.
prv
Well-known member
Perhaps the tiller arm is offset to one side with respect to the rudder? I fitted my autopilot arm slightly offset, to get the best geometry in a tight space. I made a mark on a cross-beam to show where the arm should point with the rudder centred.
Pete
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Canopy Locked
Well-known member
I used to have a Mitchell31 (Lovely boat) and I have had a rope around the prop. I used the weed box to access and remove. It's not a job that I'd recommend attempting at sea - you need long arms. Just out of interest I attach a pic (I hope it attaches at least) of the set up on my boat - You can see there is an "internal" box that is removed by undoing the bolts on the metal frame. 
Firefly625
Well-known member
I carry a sickle on board.
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Firefly625
Well-known member
thanks for the info
prv
Well-known member
Thanks, that answers another question I had - is this a standard feature on these boats, or a one-off on the OP's? Seems to have been at least an option or a common mod, if not standard.
Pete
rustybarge
Active member
Aha, a fellow druid!
Firefly625
Well-known member
indeed! imo a sickle or a bill hook is the best think to clear rope from a prop
dave p
Member
here's what happened to your old Mitchell rob
http://www.findafishingboat.com/mitchell-mark2/ad-73324
longjohnsilver
Well-known member
Unfortunately hit a rock just outside Dartmouth and was rapidly beached after the pumps could not cope with the water ingress. Essentially declared an insurance write off, a sad end to a lovely vessel. Or maybe it will rise like a phoenix from the boat graveyard.
dave p
Member
well someone bought it so it should be up and about at some point
Keith-i
Well-known member
Here's a side view of the access box in our Channel Island 32. Very useful and reassuring to have. Opened it once when we had a vibration issue mid passage and no problem with any water ingress whilst gently rolling in the open sea. It is reasonably clear of the water line and has a strip of foam to seal against ingress.
