Photo credit: www.pbo.co.uk
A fouled prop happens to most boaters eventually. Lobster traps, fishing pots, or even just a stray line can become entangled, causing your engine to abruptly stop and refuse to start again.
As well as a fouled prop being a major headache, it can create a dangerous situation if you are drifting near rocks or in a crowded anchorage or channel. You need to act quickly once you recognise the problem to minimise the danger for all on board. We have put together some tips below to help you if you haven’t experienced this before.
Equipment To Untangle A Fouled Prop
Having the right equipment on hand to deal with a prop foul can make the situation a lot easier to handle. Plan ahead and ensure you have the following safety items stored in an easy to access location on board:
A Hook Knife
Sharp knife with wrist lanyard – make sure it has a serrated blade as this quickly cuts through line under tension.
- Specialised long blade on an extension handle (called a hook knife) – may save you from having to go in the water to cut the line. Preferable method in cold water or at night.
- Boat hook – Useful to snag a line if caught under the boat. We recommend having two of these just in case you drop one!
- Dive mask or goggles – important piece of kit if you do need to go into the water to cut the line. Scuba diving equipment is handy if you have it on board too.
- Wetsuit – In colder temperatures make sure you have adequate thermal protection if you need to enter the water.
- Waterproof torch or headlamp – in case your prop becomes fouled at night.
Methods To Untangle A Fouled Prop
The way in which you are entangled will dictate which method you use to free the prop or rudder. You will either be anchored by a line wrapped around the prop or rudder, or be drifting free. Both are dangerous situations where you have to act fast.
If you are drifting:
- Try gently reversing – start the engine in neutral and using a low rev briefly push into reverse. It may not work but it is worth a try. Never do this if you’re anchored by a line on the prop. Do not rev the engine hard as this may cause the line to wrap more tightly around the prop.
- If you are on a sailboat, put some sail up to control your movement – you may even be able to sail to a safe anchorage to deal with freeing the fouled prop there.
- If you are in imminent danger of grounding or drifting ashore put an anchor out and consider calling for assistance on the VHF radio. A nearby boat may be able to tow you to safety.
If you are anchored:
- If the boat is anchored by a line you need to take the pressure off the part of the boat tangled – either the prop or the rudder. Drop your sails immediately if they are up.
- Use a boat hook to locate the line and bring it up to the boat. Next, tie the line off on a cleat. This may take some effort if there is wind and tide so be careful not to drop the boat hook. Do not cut the line at this point as then you will have a drifting boat which is more dangerous.
How to free the line:
- Ensure the engine is off.
- Stand on your swim ladder or step and use the hook knife to saw through the tangled line.
- If you do not have a hook knife, don your wetsuit and dive mask (or scuba diving gear if trained) and secure your knife around your wrist with a lanyard. Tie a line around your waist and ask a crew member to hold it if the boat is drifting. If you are alone, do not enter the water – call for help instead.
- Cut through the tangled line using the knife and free the fouled prop or rudder.