First prop fouling

[Powersalt]

So, after a full downpour of rain, just as we were casting off this morning, bound for guernsey, we proceeded into a short lumpy sea, and it wasn't long before we were down to 18 knots and I was beginning to wonder hat I was doing out here.

Even at that speed waves were coming over the fly bridge, and so we retreated below. By now visibility was down to about half a mile, so lights on and radar watch.

Then, just in the big Russell channel off sark, whe engines missed a beat, juddered, so I quickly took the revs off, and into neutral. A quick look astern could see nothing, and a look at my wife's face told me I better make out its all normal .no problems I said and one engine at a time I put into reverse and ahead repeatedly. I could not work out if it was port or starboard , so gingerly I put both ahead and proceeded at about 7 knots. A quick look around and no flotsam and then into engine bay. ll seems ok there and shafts turning as true as I could make out. Ok, here we go I said and piled on the revs 10knots, 15, 18, all was running fine after a moments bit of vibration on the 10 knots.

I can only assume I caught something round the props and the rope cutters did their job. But it had me worried somewhat for a time as I'm much too old to go over the side.

Anyway made it into spp on the last of the tide, and yes it's worth it

 

[lisilou]

Glad all's ok and you arrived safe and sound.
L

 

[oGaryo]

Phew, as said, glad it turned out ok. Only had one 'event' myself which resulted in a spun prop.

 

[superheat6k]

Phew, as said, glad it turned out ok. Only had one 'event' myself which resulted in a spun prop.

In my experience having them spin is just fine, the trouble seems to start when they won't spin !

 

[Powersalt]

It was quite interesting how quickly we drifted towards sark whilst I was checking all things over and of course add to this the poor visibility and short sharp swell and you can see how quickly a problem becomes. Crisis.