Clearing fowled props

B

BillE

New member
Wondering if most times you can clear line wrapped around your prop by raising the outboard or do you have to get in the water?
 
Do you mean a dock or anchor line--or fishing line?

Generally you can get on the swim step and clear any line--sometimes it may even need a boat hook.

However braided line or monofilament is a special case--and one has to be very cautious that there is not damage to the seals of the lower unit. I suggest that the prop be removed and double check the seals where the prop shaft goes into the lower unit. If you have monofilament on the shaft--then when you get home, check the oil in the lower gear case for water. This usually means a quick change--fairly easy and quick to do.
 
Pretty much anything caught in the prop, Bob. Reading some inboard discussions where a dive is in order I was wondering if that was required with outboards, too. I was hoping to hear what you said, that most times one could stand on the swim step and reach the problem. Thanks.
 
You should do what is safe first. If wrapped and unable to run, restart motor, or other wise make way you might want to make your self safe first. Depending on whats going on cutting away that new crab/shrimp pot before it hangs bottom and the current/ wind sucks you down. ( in this area that scenario has killed more then a few people over the years) . You may want to anchor first so you do not blow into shore / other boat or ferry commercial lanes. You may want to get the kicker going and head to a safe area/ dock. Once safe you can spend more time fixing what ever is the problem. We as humans tend to focus down to a problem and loose track of the over all picture around us. Just food for thought on what your priority should be in a emergency. Safety first and then fixing the under lining problem.
 
I've cleared fishing line from my prop by raising the motor and standing on the swim platform. I did pull the prop off later to double check the seal and to make sure I got all the fishing line off! :( Colby
 
Of course Tom is absolutely correct.

You would be more like kneeling on the swim step, wading in the water in at a beach, backing up to a dock, or sitting in the dinghy.

Getting lines off an inboard is an entirely different story. Often the line can be fused on the prop shaft, which is protected on an outboard.

Usually an outboard fouls a 1/4" or larger line at idle speeds and the motor stalls. These are fairly easy to get free. I do carry a hack saw blade in my "tool bag" just in case...
 
Not really a helpful comment, but: as a brand new boater decades ago my motor stalled when I engaged the throttle forward. I re-started, reved it up in neutral, and put the motor in reverse to blow off the prop and it ran fine but when I shifted to forward it stalled again. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Being only a half mile from the dock I decided to run in reverse to get back. As I looked for my stern line to tie up at the dock I found it was tightly drawn underwater to the lower unit. Aha, moment,
 
I had an older 6hp Merc one time for a kicker. It had line cutters installed behind the prop for cutting fishing line before it could damage the seals. Not sure what all sizes/makes of outboards they are available for. No protection of course against anything larger fouling the prop.

Regards, Rob
 
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